‘Extensive planning undertaken’ for High Holy Days
Community leaders are applying lessons from Bondi to strengthen crisis planning and High Holy Days safety.
Ahead of the High Holy Days, community leaders have undertaken scenario planning exercises designed to strengthen preparedness in the event of any future crisis.
A Community Crisis Management Team has been established, bringing together key communal organisations and leaders to work through practical emergency and community management scenarios, incorporating lessons learnt from the Bondi terror attack.
The focus is on ensuring community members can gather and pray in safety. The Community Security Group (CSG) has also briefed rabbis, communal leaders and NSW Police, further strengthening preparedness across the community.
“Following the December 14 Bondi Beach attack, we commissioned an independent review of the community’s response,” said JCA CEO Alain Hasson.
“One of its clearest recommendations was the need for greater coordination, preparedness and clarity of roles across our community organisations.
“In response, ahead of the High Holy Days, we brought key organisations together to work through a series of practical scenarios, testing how we would respond and ensuring our plans are clear, coordinated and effective.”
He said it was the beginning of “an ongoing program of preparedness”.
“We have taken the lessons from December 14 seriously, and we are putting the structures, relationships and plans in place to ensure our community is better prepared to respond to whatever challenges may arise.”
Rabbinical Council of NSW president Rabbi Shua Solomon said the exercises were particularly important ahead of the High Holy Days.
“This exercise was a critical part of being prepared in case of a crisis.
“Rabbis are on the front lines of community care and the Rabbinical Council felt privileged to represent the Orthodox rabbinate in NSW at such an important juncture.”
The planning follows a comprehensive review undertaken by an independent crisis response specialist. The review recognised strengths in the community’s response to Bondi, while identifying opportunities to improve communication and crisis management capabilities.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) CEO Michele Goldman said the work undertaken since Bondi should reassure community members.
“As families gather for the High Holy Days, they can take comfort in knowing that extensive planning has been undertaken and the community’s safety and wellbeing remains the highest priority,” she said.
Immediately following the Bondi attack, a Community Recovery Taskforce chaired by JBD president Greg Joffe was established to coordinate support and recovery efforts.
It included core members Rabbi Solomon, Hasson, Dor Foundation CEO Tahli Blicblau, as well as representatives from Jewish House and JewishCare.
A Bondi Survivors Advisory Committee, chaired by Goldman, has also been created to provide survivors with a dedicated forum to help shape ongoing recovery efforts.