Hanukkah celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Over the past week, Sydney has felt dark indeed. But the menorah candles at Sunday’s vigil, gentle against the twilight, signalled a determination that the darkness would not win. As night descended, a spotlight shot a beam of light to the heavens.
“May the memories of those who we lost be a blessing, may the injured be healed, may our sorrows be comforted, may all those heroes … be blessed and rewarded,” said Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, whose son-in-law, Eli Schlanger, was killed in the attack.
Organisers estimate crowds of 20,000 attended the event to mark the National Day of Reflection for victims and survivors.Credit: Edwina Pickles
The crowd numbered in the thousands. One woman, who wanted to be known only as Della, had been one of the first to arrive. “I was born in Bondi,” she said. “Bondi is my heart and my soul. My parents came from the Holocaust, they were the only survivors in the family. I don’t live close any more, but it’s my heart and my soul … I couldn’t be anywhere else.”
They ranged from the elderly to the very young. As Governor-General Sam Mostyn spoke about barbarism and read a letter from the King, two preschoolers lay among the crowd with their mother, listening and chewing on lollipops. “What’s barbarism?” they asked. Their mother stroked their foreheads, silent and sad.
From buildings towering over the fenced-off vigil site, heavily armed snipers were standing with their guns. The beach was thick with scores of security and police, including the Tactical Operations Unit and riot squad, patrolling the perimeter.
The service was held at the site of last Sunday’s attack in which 15 people were killed.Credit: Edwina Pickles
NSW Premier Chris Minns, who received a standing ovation when his attendance was announced to the crowd.Credit: Edwina Pickles
The vigil was attended by the most powerful in the land. Minns was there, wearing a kippah, as were state Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and the president of the upper house, Penny Sharpe. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley arrived with NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane, who spoke of her own experience last week, when she rushed to Bondi as soon as she heard of the attack.
Last week, the gunmen opened fire just before the menorah – a Hanukkah candelabra – could be lit at 7pm. At the vigil, another was lit in their memory.
The candles were lit by the heroes of the terrorist attack, including the father of hero Ahmed al Ahmed, Mohammed; first responders and lifesavers; Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, on behalf of police; and Vladimir Kotlyar, a chaplain for the SES, which treated the injured. Relatives of some of those who were killed also lit candles.
Bondi Beach incident helplines:
- Bondi Beach Victim Services on 1800 411 822
- Bondi Beach Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228
- NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au
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