Moving service for murdered hostages held at Bondi
“We meet today in pain and anguish,” declared Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin.
The emotion in the air was palpable as members of Sydney’s Jewish community embraced one another, mourned together and took comfort in each other at a memorial at Bondi Beach for Israel’s six slain hostages on Monday afternoon.
“We meet today in pain and anguish,” declared Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin.
“Death has taken and taken from us since October 7 but the murder of these six hostages has affected us in a different way,” Ryvchin continued.
“Just as we cherish the survivors of generations past, we will tell their stories, we will know their names and we will honour them by living our lives with greater determination to fight for our people and ensuring that our mission to bring light to this world is fulfilled.”
Event organiser Lauren Placks of Bring Them Home – a group of Jewish mothers who have been advocating for the hostages since shortly after October 7 – lamented how everyone had hoped there would be a different ending.
“Hearing the devastating news about the final moments and the fate of another six hostages murdered – Hersh, along with Alex, Almog, Carmel, Eden and Ori – has shattered our hearts and tested our resilience once again,” she said.
“Today, the world is dimmer, our collective hearts broken into a million pieces.”
In town for JNF Australia, former Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy also addressed the gathering.
He also recited the Prayer for the State of Israel in both Hebrew and English.
Member for Macnamara Josh Burns, who was working in Sydney on Monday, noted he was missing the commemoration being held in his own Melbourne electorate, but wanted to be with the Jewish community.
“We as Jews are only as good as we are and as strong as we are when we are together, when we are supporting one another, he said.
“The only way we honour the memories of those whose lives have been taken is if we stay proud, we stay strong, we hold our head high as Jews.”
Member for Wentworth Allegra Spender said, “I share your grief and I share your sadness. There were six beautiful lights that have been snuffed out all too soon.
“May their memories be a blessing.”
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman recited a prayer for the hostages and kaddish, while Rabbi Eli Schlanger sang the memorial prayer.
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