In a powerful response to hatred, communities across Sydney have come together in grief and solidarity following the deadly terror attack at Bondi beach. Interfaith vigils, marked by embraces between Jewish and Muslim leaders, have become a poignant symbol of unity in the face of tragedy.
A Spontaneous Embrace of Solidarity
On Monday evening, just a day after the antisemitic attack that killed 15 people and injured dozens more, a vigil was held in Sydney's Hyde Park. Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins from the Emmanuel Synagogue in Woollahra addressed the crowd, speaking of the flood of supportive messages received from various faith communities, including Palestinian friends.
"We are now learning we are all just flesh and blood, and we are all also the light," Rabbi Kamins told the gathered mourners. Following his words, Bilal Rauf, a special adviser at the Australian National Imams Council, offered his community's "deep heartbreak and condolences." He drew a parallel to the pain felt by Muslims after the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings.
The moment culminated in a spontaneous and emotional embrace between the two religious figures, met with applause from the crowd. Rabbi Kamins later reflected that the hug, and the vigil's essence, was about recognising that "we are all human beings first."
Multi-Faith Memorials Across the City
The display in Hyde Park was not an isolated incident. Vigils and memorial events have been held across Sydney and Melbourne, intentionally bringing together people from diverse faiths and secular backgrounds.
The group Sydney Friends of Standing Together hosted a separate event on Monday night. Originally planned as a Hanukah and Christmas celebration, it was transformed into a memorial for the Bondi victims. Approximately 50 people gathered to hear the Jewish Kaddish prayer for the dead, alongside Muslim and Christian prayers and secular messages of support.
Ann Porcino, an attendee, described the multi-faith blessings as "us reaching for each other." She emphasised the need for togetherness in the face of such horror. Palestinian Australian Dr Munther Emad also spoke, sharing his community's sense of despair and grief and stating that darkness is only defeated through unity.
A Determined Response to Prevent Further Division
In the aftermath of the attack, there has been a conscious effort from community leaders to prevent the tragedy from sparking further cycles of violence and retaliation. Rabbi Kamins spoke of an "outpouring of spontaneous acts of kindness," including flowers left at his synagogue and letters from neighbours of all faiths, sending a clear message: "you are not alone."
He expressed hope that as the community processes the trauma, it would be able to respond to these "open hands and open hearts" to build a better Australia. This sentiment was echoed by Fahimah Badrulhisham of the Muslim Collective, who attended the Standing Together event. She highlighted the importance of creating open spaces where people can recognise the shared humanity of everyone present.
The interfaith vigils following the Bondi beach terror attack stand as a testament to the resilience of community spirit, demonstrating that even in moments of profound heartbreak, the response can be one of collective compassion and a reinforced commitment to coexistence.
