In the wake of the devastating terror attack at Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives, a powerful movement has emerged from Sydney's grief. The 'One Mitzvah for Bondi' campaign is calling on Australians of all faiths and backgrounds to combat hatred with simple, personal acts of kindness.
A Simple Request Born from Tragedy
When New South Wales government officials consulted Jewish faith leaders after the explosion of hate targeted their community, the response was not one of vengeance, but of positive action. Rabbi Nochum Schapiro presented a straightforward idea to an emergency meeting of the NSW Faith Affairs Council, convened by the Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper. He asked for everyone to perform one mitzvah – a charitable act of kindness.
At nightly vigils held outside Bondi Pavilion, just metres from where the attack occurred, Sydney's rabbis shared poignant stories of the 15 victims, each highlighting their individual kindness. These included Rabbi Eli Schlanger driving hours to support a prisoner, Marika Pogany volunteering for Meals on Wheels, and 10-year-old Matilda's joy for her friend's achievements.
Building a Kinder Society, One Deed at a Time
The campaign, as explained by Rabbi Eli Feldman of Newtown synagogue, invites every Australian to do a good deed "in memory and honour of those who no longer can." "Let us continue to bring their light to the world," he urged. The initiative aims to foster a society where the evil that caused the tragedy cannot take root, by encouraging people to care for one another and volunteer to make a difference.
While rooted in Judaism – where mitzvah refers to a divine commandment and tikkun olam to repairing the world – the principle finds common ground across faiths. It aligns with Islamic Sadaqah, Christian social justice teachings, and Sikh beliefs in selfless giving.
Community Response: From Food Trucks to Bakeries
The campaign has sparked a wave of community action. Kabir Singh, a Sikh food truck owner who had never heard the word mitzvah, recognised the core principle. Unable to donate blood for medical reasons, he donated 100% of his profits from his Pocket Rocketz truck over a weekend, inspired by customers' generosity and personal connections to the tragedy.
Similarly, Deliciousness bakery in Sutherland baked and delivered cupcakes to Bondi police station. The NSW Premier, Chris Minns, told a vigil marking one week since the attack that the campaign was inspired by Rabbi Schlanger's unfinished 'Project Noah', which reminded everyone of their duty to build a better world.
"If hatred spreads through words and actions, then so does goodness," Premier Minns stated. "Peace doesn't happen by accident. It must be actively pursued through compassion, through kindness and moral courage."
The campaign has been widely embraced. The Jewish community is visiting the injured, providing food and toys, and performing religious acts. Dr Cassandra Goldie of the Australian Council of Social Service praised it as a "simple, yet powerful call to each of us... to choose acts of love and kindness, not division and darkness." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also acknowledged the movement when announcing a special honours list for bravery displayed during the attack.
The NSW government is encouraging people to share their good deeds on a dedicated site or on social media using the hashtag #OneMitzvahforBondi. As Rabbi Feldman reflected, his late colleague Rabbi Schlanger, who was passionate about making the world better, would be "so proud" of this collective response to darkness.
