Faith leaders unite at memorial for Bondi victims

Victoria’s Governor and Premier joined faith leaders and community representatives at St Paul’s Cathedral on Monday for a memorial service honouring the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach attack.

The interfaith ceremony brought together political leaders across party lines with representatives from Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh communities.

Rabbi Ralph Genende, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Committee Interfaith Liaison and Senior Rabbi of the Australian Defence Force, introduced a Commitment of Trust in which leaders pledged to “resist and overcome the evil of antisemitism, hate crime, terror and violence.”

“We belong to different faith traditions and share a common grief,” Rabbi Genende said.

“Together we seek to build a society where all people can work together in cherishing, not disfiguring, our common humanity.”

Temple Beth Israel’s Cantor Michel Laloum sang the traditional El Maleh Rahamim prayer as the names of the 15 victims were read aloud, followed by a minute’s silence.

Senior Rabbi Allison Conyer read the Kaddish.

The Temple Beth Israel choir performed two Hebrew pieces during the service, including Oseh Shalom.

State Liberal MP for Caulfield David Southwick represented the Opposition, lighting a candle and speaking of “living and forgiving” and “love and mutual respect.”

Cellist Zoe Knighton and pianist Laurence Matheson performed Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei, based on the traditional Yom Kippur melody, as community leaders lit candles on behalf of all Victorians.

Congregants were invited to light their own candles after the service as a sign of their hope and commitment to work for light and peace.

Premier Jacinta Allan earlier said, “I encourage every Victorian to observe Australia’s National Day of Mourning. I ask us to stand together in grief, in solidarity and in hope to honour the lives lost in the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and to hold their families, friends and communities close.

“Jews in our state and across our country deserve safety, like every other Australian. They deserve the dignity of a peaceful life, true to their spirit, without being singled out, isolated or hurt. The evils of antisemitism continue to threaten this fundamental right to safety and peace.”

Philip Zajac, President of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, said in a statement, “We are a very small and close-knit community, and the events of December 14 shattered all of our sense of safety and left us feeling vulnerable. But the Jewish people have overcome significant challenges in the past and our local Jewish community will do so again.”

“We share our grief with all Victorians, and now we call on all Victorians to walk with us towards a safer, kinder future.”