Looking around at the sea of women dressed in white, Ginette Searle said she was still in deep mourning after Jewish people were targeted and slain in the Bondi terror attack: “We’re all feeling it, as if it happened to us.
“But this community is strong,” the former CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia said. “We will hold each other up, and we know that the broader community will also hold us up – that gives us some comfort.”
Women in Caulfield North watch a livestream of a memorial event in Bondi on Sunday.
Credit: Penny Stephens
Seven days on from the horrific event that claimed the lives of 15 people, conversation at the gathering in Melbourne on Sunday morning repeatedly turned to the Jewish traditional of shiva – a week-long intense grieving period to remember the dead, starting immediately after their funerals.
The common expression is “sitting shiva” – being perched on a small stool for seven days and seven nights, low-spirited and in quiet remembrance of your loved ones.
So there 100 women in white sat on Sunday morning. Quiet. Reflective. United in their grief and fiery resolve to ensure an attack like the Bondi shooting never happens again.
The group had gathered in Caulfield North to watch the livestream of a vigil at Bondi Pavilion in Sydney on Sunday morning, organised by the National Council of Jewish Women Australia.
Women from all backgrounds gather at Bondi Beach to mark one week since the Hanukkah terror attack and honour the victims. Credit: Jessica Hromas
Outside the pavilion, a procession of mourners delicately placed single-stemmed flowers one by one, before retreating into the arms of their family and friends nearby.
Attendees from across the political spectrum attended the Sydney women’s vigil, including senior Labor MPs Tanya Plibersek and Michelle Rowland, Liberal frontbencher Melissa McIntosh, independent MPs Monique Ryan and Zali Steggall, and Govenor-General Sam Mostyn.
Federal minister Tanya Plibersek (third from right) attends the women’s gathering at Bondi Beach.Credit: Jessica Hromas
The images from Sydney opened up a window of connection and shared grief with the women listening quietly from Melbourne.
When those who had gathered were encouraged to share a gesture of peace with the person next to them, strangers and loved ones alike embraced, tears springing to their eyes. Hands stretched out across aisles and over seat backs as people hoped to find the warmth and solidarity of another person carrying the same awful sorrow.
“Inside me is a jumble of emotions. It’s a combination of anger, grief, despair and defiance,” Liora Miller, vice president of the women’s council, said from the Melbourne event.
Liora Miller, vice president of the National Council of Jewish Women Australia, speaks on Sunday. Credit: Penny Stephens
“I’ve sort of prevented myself from thinking too deeply about what happened because I would just want to curl into a ball; it’s just too terrible.
“So we’ve just spent this week doing what we can as an organisation to support our community and speak to wider Australia, and we say enough is enough – you cannot continue to allow this to happen on your watch.”
Sunday morning’s vigil of about 100 Melbourne women – from Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds – is part the national day of reflection for the victims of the Bondi terror attack.
Australians have been encouraged to light a candle at 6.47pm, exactly a week since shots rang out at Bondi Beach.
With Sunday representing the final night of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, young people will gather in Federation Square from 5pm at the Pillars of Light event to share doughnuts, spin the four-sided tops known as dreidels and light menorah candles.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson (right) at the event in Caulfield North.Credit: Penny Stephens
A concert to “dispel the darkness” and unite in song will take place at Glen Eira Town Hall on Sunday night.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson attended the Caulfield North gathering and said that one week on from the Bondi attack, the sadness of Australia’s Jewish community was immense but the “sense of community [and] togetherness” was stronger than ever.
Miller said it was long past time for Premier Jacinta Allan to act and take credible warnings of increasing antisemitism seriously.
“When hatred is allowed to fester, when intimidation goes unchecked, when clear lines are not drawn, a tragedy becomes just a matter of time, not a possibility,” she said.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a review of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to examine their performance in the lead-up to the attack.
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