Australians across Sydney and Melbourne have gathered in vigils to mourn the 15 people killed in the antisemitic terror attack at Bondi Beach, with several events emphasising interfaith solidarity and shared grief. At a vigil held on Monday evening in Sydney’s Hyde Park, Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins of the Emmanuel Synagogue addressed a large crowd, speaking about the support received from across religious and cultural lines in the aftermath of the attack.
He said messages of compassion from Muslim leaders, Palestinian friends, and people from different communities highlighted a shared humanity during a moment of profound loss. “We are all human beings first,” Kamins told attendees, underscoring unity over division. Bilal Rauf, special adviser to the Australian National Imams Council, also addressed the gathering, offering condolences to the Jewish community and reflecting on the parallels with the pain experienced by Muslim communities after the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks. Following their speeches, Kamins and Rauf embraced, prompting applause from the crowd.
Messages of Compassion Across Faiths
The Hyde Park vigil commemorated the victims and acknowledged the broader trauma felt across communities. Kamins later said the embrace was spontaneous and symbolic, noting that gestures of solidarity can convey meaning beyond words. In the days since the attack, Kamins said his synagogue had received flowers, letters, and messages of support from neighbours and faith leaders. He expressed hope that these acts of kindness would continue as communities work through grief and healing together.
Separate memorials have also brought together Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and secular Australians. Sydney Friends of Standing Together hosted a multi-faith event originally planned as a Hanukkah and Christmas gathering, which was instead transformed into a memorial for the victims. Attendees observed Jewish prayers, Muslim and Christian reflections, and secular tributes. Participants described the gathering as an intentional effort to resist hatred with unity. Speakers, including Palestinian Australian Dr Munther Emad, emphasised shared grief and rejected the idea that violence should lead to further division.
Community leaders attending the vigils said the events reflected a collective determination to prevent the attack from fuelling further hatred or retaliation. Instead, they stressed the importance of recognising shared humanity during moments of national tragedy.
Source: The Guardian
