Moving vigils held across Australia and NZ
Vigil and memorial events have been held across Australia on, and in addition to, a National Day of Reflection
Australians from all walks of life came together at vigil events dotting the country on the last day of Chanukah last Sunday, on what was dedicated as a National Day of Reflection, one week on from the Bondi Beach Chanukah terror attack that killed 15 people.
There were also similar events of remembrance and solidarity taking place in the days before and the following day. Vigils were also held throughout New Zealand.
CANBERRA
In a solemn memorial held by the ACT Jewish Community and Chabad ACT, the Great Hall at Parliament House was filled to capacity.
Deputy Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Meron led the prayer for the final Chanukah candle lighting – a powerful symbol that light will overcome darkness.
MANLY BEACH
Well over 1,000 people participated in a beautiful and heartfelt Manly Beach vigil on December 21, in a moving event organised by local Paul Casper.
The vigil began with a smoking ceremony by Indigenous man Neil Evans, the Hummingsong Choir formed a circle to sing one of murdered 10-year-old Matilda’s favourite songs – “What a Wonderful World” – and also Hope Lingers On, and Shalom Chaverim.
Memorial candles were lit, and a minute’s silence observed.
Casper, on social media the next day, expressed thanks “for all the support and help that made this happen – it was amazing to see the community come together for this event.”
BRISBANE
In Brisbane, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner openly wept while speaking in front of more than 1,500 people at a vigil held at Brisbane City Hall.
“Our nation let Matilda down,” Mayor Schrinner said.
“Matilda and Summer [her sister] were patting a little lamb, smiling and laughing [at the ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ event at Bondi Beach].
“Nina and I have four kids, including a 10-year-old and a seven-year-old.
“This would have been their perfect day out, but it wasn’t a perfect day. It was Matilda’s last day.
“This is not about guns. What this is really about is political and religious extremism, the dangerous extremists who have been allowed by our weakness as a nation to operate in the shadows and spread hate in the dark corners of our community: hate preachers, right-wing extremists [and] left-wing extremists.
“On this, the eighth and final night of Chanukah, it must be a night of new beginnings.
“No more . . . no more darkness, no more weakness, no more hatred.”
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said, “Antisemitism must be called out and it must be stamped out.
“That was our message from tonight’s solidarity event at Brisbane City Hall, alongside thousands of Queenslanders.”
GOLD COAST
In the Gold Coast, Mayor Tom Tate, elected Gold Coast federal, state and local representatives, came together on December 19, with leaders of the city’s Jewish community ,to pay their respects to the victims of the Bondi Beach Chanukah terror attack tragedy, and show support and solidarity with the local community.
Held at council headquarters, the afternoon event included lighting menorah candles, before attendees laid flowers and written messages of support for the Jewish community.
Then on December 22, Mayor Tate and Gold Coast City Council hosted a well-attended Light and Unity Vigil at the Home of the Arts (HOMA).
Queensland Shadow Minister for the Environment, and for Youth, Angie Bell, reflected, after attending, that it was an event “where our Gold Coast community stood with Jewish Australians on the last night of Chanukah, to honour those who lost their lives in Bondi as a result of unchecked antisemitism.
“Leadership means speaking out and standing up,” she commented in an Instagram post.
“We must unite together as Australians.
“It was very special to be with faith leaders, rabbis, and community leaders ,who all delivered their messages of solidarity.”
Federal Member for Oxley, Milton Dick, also attended, and commented, “Tonight we stand in solidarity with the Jewish Community here in Queensland and across our nation.”
The Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies expressed thanks to Mayor Tate, and Gold Coast City Council, and all who participated in both Gold Coast events.
CAIRNS
On December 22, the Cairns Jewish community joined allies and local leaders for a powerful gathering marking the final night of Chanukah.
The event, attended by more than 400 people at Munro Martin Park, was both a celebration of light, and a solemn act of solidarity in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre.
The ceremony opened with local performer Grace Neech singing the Australian national anthem, followed by a deeply emotional rendition of Waltzing Matilda, which was dedicated to 10-year-old Matilda Bee Britvan – the terror attack’s youngest victim.
Distinguished guests included Senator Nita Green, MPs Matt Smith and Terry James, and Deputy Mayor Brett Olds.
The emcee was Rabbi Ari Rubin, who declared, “Australians have stood together since this country’s inception.
“There is no room, ever, for antisemitism in our land. Australia’s strength lies in its unity and compassion.”
Attendees observed a minute of silence, and lit memorial candles.
WOLLONGONG
In the Illawarra, Surf life savers stood shoulder to shoulder for a three-minute period of silence on the sands of Coledale Shellharbour, Gerringong, and Kiama Downs beaches on December 20.
At North Wollongong, president of the local surf life saving club, Dave Meredith, led dozens to do the same.
The next day in Wollongong, on the National Day of Reflection, Rabbi Menachem Aron spoke during a service at Stuart Park in the city’s north to mark the end of Chanukah, and to gather together for a vigil in memory of the 15 people murdered in the Bondi Beach Chanukah terror attack.
More than 200 people participated – including people from all faiths and backgrounds -, which Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia commented, “To see such widespread support from local regional communities has been nothing short of incredible”.
Rabbi Aron said “I wish we could do this without the tragedy . . . We need to be able to take strength for one day at a time, and be able to connect with one another.”
The event was made possible also with the support of Wollongong City Council and Wollongong Police, and was strongly praised by the Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra, whose representatives attended.
ARMIDALE
A moving memorial service was held in the Armidale Mall on December 20, organised by the northern NSW regional city’s local community, and attended by hundreds, to show support and solidarity in the wake of the terror attack at a Chanukah event at Bondi Beach.
Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland, in his speech about the deep impact of the tragedy, said, “It’s not just the loss of life, it’s a shattering of who we think we are as a nation, and it’s a shattering of a social contract that we have with each other”.
Other speakers included New England Police Inspector Greg Ryan, Northern Tablelands MP Brendan Moylan, University of New England vice chancellor Chris Moran, Salam Qaro on behalf of the Yazidi community, Bishop Rod Chiswell, Dr Rana Aamir on behalf of the local Muslim community, local Aniwan Elder Steve Widders, Jewish Armidale resident Tal Kanety, and New England Times publisher Raphaella Kathryn Crosby.
The latter spoke of her time living in the Jewish community in Bondi, and the emotional rollercoaster when learning that some people she knew had been killed or injured, but her closest friends were okay.
Kanety said “The silent majority [in Australia] must speak out now . . . do not wait until this peace of heaven is ruined”.
Qaro said, We mourn the innocent lives taken in a brutal attack at Bondi Beach – lives stolen not by chance but by hatred.
“The Yazidi community stands firmly and publicly in solidarity with our brothers and sisters from the Jewish community.”
PERTH
In Western Australia, at Perth Hebrew Congregation’s shule in the suburb of Menora, WA Premier Roger Cook joined hundreds of people from the Jewish community for a vigil on Deccember 18.
He said, “As Premier of Western Australia, I stand in solidarity with Jewish Western Australians, and I vow to you all, to continue to lead a Government that is committed to the elimination of antisemitism in all its forms.”
Jewish Community Council of Western Australia president Dr Michael Levitt, told the gathering, “This is not just a local tragedy — it is a global one.
“We’ve been warning about this connection. And those warnings — from the most senior voices in Australian Jewish life — were ignored,” he said, urging governments to finally listen and act.
NEW ZEALAND
And In the past few days, vigils were held in cities spanning New Zealand, including Auckland, Whangarei, Mt Maunganui, Raglan, Rotorua, Hastings, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Nelson, and Dunedin.
Kiwis gathered to remember those who were slain in the terror attack across the ditch that targeted Jews, to show support for the Jewish people, and to make a stand against antisemitism.
Hundreds attended a public lighting of candles on a big menorah in central Auckland. And more than 1,000 Aucklanders participated that day in a March Against Antisemitism, where Dr David Cumin – a Jewish academic and a director at the Israel Institute of New Zealand – made a powerful and important speech.
He said, “So here’s the call: No more excuses. No more hypocrisy!
“Leaders: defund the hate, proscribe the terror, and walk your recent talk.
“Media: do your job honestly. Earn back our trust.
“Teachers: teach facts, don’t preach hate.
“Fellow kiwis: speak up when you hear the hate chants, the slurs, and the double standards. Write the letters, have the hard chats, get involved.
“Stand united against all hate, or watch the radicals chip away our democracy.”
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