Roosters honour Bondi victims
ECAJ co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said the Roosters have shown what it means to belong to a community.
The Sydney Roosters honoured the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack at their first home game of the season against South Sydney last Friday night, with 10-year-old victim Matilda Bee’s younger sister Summer invited onto the field for the coin toss and ball delivery.
A capacity crowd of more than 40,000 people, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, observed a minute’s silence as the faces of all 15 victims were projected onto Allianz Stadium’s screens. A menorah in front of the Bondi ocean and a bumblebee in honour of Matilda were also displayed.
A video shown to the crowd featured Roosters players meeting Rabbi Eli Schlanger at Chabad of Bondi on December 9, just five days before he was murdered in the attack. The meeting was organised and facilitated by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ).
The Roosters MC told the crowd: “The Jewish community are our neighbours, our friends, our family.
“To Sydney’s Jewish community – we stand with you. Not just tonight, but always.”
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said the terror attack impacted the Roosters “more than I can put out there publicly”.
ECAJ co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said the Roosters have shown what it means to belong to a community.
“They have stood with Jewish Australians following the massacre and have shown great compassion towards the families of the victims and the survivors,” he said.
“The tribute at the home game opener was a special moment of unity and healing.”