In the wake of the devastating terror attack at Bondi beach, Sydney's Jewish community is confronting a profound sense of grief, threat, and uncertainty. The assault, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned as "an act of evil antisemitism," has left the nation in shock and its Jewish citizens questioning their safety.
A Perfect Day Shattered by Violence
Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton, chief minister at The Great Synagogue in Sydney, was driving back from a wedding in Jervis Bay when the news began to filter through. His initial joy from the celebration turned to terror as he received frantic messages and was temporarily unable to reach his wife and children, who were at an outdoor Hanukah event in Dover Heights, near Bondi.
"It was one of those perfect days," Rabbi Elton reflected on the stark contrast. "And, you know, joy snatched away from you so suddenly." The attack, which killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more, represents the worst act of terrorism in Australia's history.
Community in Lockdown, Seeking Solace
The immediate aftermath has seen heightened security measures that have disrupted normal life. The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies issued warnings advising Jewish groups against gathering. Rabbi Elton was forced to cancel the daily morning service at the Great Synagogue, including a special Hanukah celebration.
Rabbi Alon Meltzer, associate rabbi at Bondi Mizrachi Synagogue, was at the Dover Heights Hanukah event with his two daughters when the attack occurred. He became separated from his children for over three hours during a security lockdown. "They were understandably very shaken and shocked," he said.
Both rabbis now face the difficult task of explaining the atrocity to their children. "You've got to be careful, but at the same time, we've got to be transparent enough... that they're not being lied to," Meltzer explained.
A Call for Solidarity and a Question of Belonging
As the community processes the trauma, leaders are looking to the broader Australian public for a definitive response. Rabbi Meltzer expressed a poignant hope for visible, widespread support.
"I would hope that as a response, a million people were willing to march around this country in support of the Jewish community," he stated. "To stand up and say that antisemitism has no place here... at the moment you have a community across this nation – 110,000 people – who are wondering whether we belong and whether we have a safe future here."
David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, criticised the federal government for "missteps" on antisemitism, arguing the attack showed hate had found a place in the country.
Despite the fear, symbols of resilience persist. On the night of the attack, after finally being reunited with his family, Rabbi Meltzer performed a centuries-old act of defiance and faith. "We came home at 9:30 last night, and we lit our Hanukah candles," he said. "We're not going to let this alter what we do and how we do things. We're very proud Jews... and we will continue to be so."
