Survivors come together for an evening of healing

Six months ago, Ben Wright threw himself over his young daughter as gunfire broke out at Bondi Beach. Like so many others caught in the attack that day, he now measures life in two parts: before and after.

On Wednesday night, Wright stood before a very different crowd. Instead of shielding his daughter, he welcomed more than 100 survivors, families and members of the Bondi community as emcee for an evening about healing and hope.

Hosted by Chabad of Bondi – the community most affected by the “Chanukah by the Sea” attack that killed 15 people – the gathering brought together people still carrying the attack with them, six months on. The evening focused on how life keeps going after tragedy, rather than on reliving the day itself. Among those attending was Elizabeth Wood, deputy secretary for health system strategy and patient experience at NSW Health, along with community leaders and local residents.

“I feel privileged to be part of this incredibly important healing journey moving forward,” Wood said. “I really can think of nothing more important at this time than a genuine focus on healing, on the love of this community, on the spiritual connection.”

Joining Wright in conversation was author Rabbi Levi Y. Shmotkin, whose book Letters for Life draws on thousands of personal letters written by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who corresponded with people from every walk of life, many of whom he never met. Shmotkin spoke about how the Rebbe had guided people through grief, fear and uncertainty, and about a Jewish approach to emotional wellness built on finding purpose in pain rather than a way around it. A special Sydney edition of the book was released to mark the evening.