‘You are not alone in your grief’
“It is a pain that has been compounded by the alarming rise in antisemitism, which we have witnessed over the past year,” says StandWithUs Australia’s executive director.
The shofar sounded at precisely 6.29am at Bondi Beach on Monday morning, commemorating the exact time rockets were fired over the site of the Nova Music Festival on October 7.
Hundreds attended the sombre vigil just after sunrise, with StandWithUs Australia’s executive director Michael Gencher telling the crowd that the pain of that day “reverberates not only through Israel, but through Jewish communities and all communities across the globe”.
“It is a pain that has been compounded by the alarming rise in antisemitism, which we have witnessed over the past year,” Gencher said.
Shani Teshuva from Kibbutz Zikim said she is only alive today because at 6.15am on the morning of October 7 she made the decision to giver herself an extra 10 minutes before she was supposed to go on a bike ride from Zikim.
“It’s a decision that saved my life, because whoever went at that time, on that path, was murdered,” she said.
Rabbi Shua Solomon recited a prayer for the hostages, before Member for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane described her admiration for the Australian Jewish community.
“I acknowledge you, our beautiful, generous, thoughtful, strong Australian Jewish community. My admiration grows for you every day,” said Sloane.
“I learn so much from your courage, your kindness, how you continue to strive for peace. How even in grief and in terror, you come together so thoughtfully, so respectfully, so united.”
Sloane said it has been her “privilege” to stand with the Jewish community and to have a unique understanding of how deeply the events of October 7 affected the very existence of the community.
“Know this – you are not alone,” said Sloane.
“You are not alone in your grief, you are not alone in being scared about this change in our beautiful country, you are not alone in your anger about these protests that are promoting terrorism. Those loud voices, those angry voices, they don’t represent quiet Australians.”
Senator Dave Sharma said, “We cannot credibly claim a measure of understanding for an atrocity that obliterates our capacity for comprehension. We cannot credibly claim that these deep wounds have begun to heal.”
The emotional vigil concluded with members of Together With Israel reciting the names of every hostage that remains in Gaza, including the family members of Naama Levy and the Bibas family.
Together With Israel recited the names of all 101 hostages who remain in Gaza.
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