Bondi victims to be remembered in national mourning day
The 15 victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack are being remembered across the nation with a day of mourning.
Led by the Bondi Chabad, the theme for the sombre day is “Light will win: A gathering of unity and remembrance”.
It is the first time Australia has observed a national day of mourning since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said flags would fly at half-mast on Thursday and national institutions in Canberra and Sydney would be lit up.
There will be a national memorial service at the Sydney Opera House from 7pm, which will be streamed online.
Fifteen candles, one for each victim of the December 14 antisemitic terror attack, will be lit by the families of those slain.
Dignitaries expected to attend alongside Albanese include Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and NSW Premier Chris Minns.
The prime minister encouraged all Australians to participate in their own way by leaving a candle on their window ledge or doorstep, with a minute’s silence scheduled for 7.01pm.
“This will be a very important day of mourning. It will be an opportunity for us to pay respects as a nation to those people who lost their lives,” he said.
In South Australia, an Evening Prayer service will be held at St Peter’s Cathedral in North Adelaide, starting at 6pm.
The Jewish community has requested that Australians come together through a mitzvah, an act of kindness or compassion. This can include giving to others, helping the sick, offering hospitality or providing kindness to animals.
It comes a month after a vigil at Bondi Beach attended by thousands of people in a cathartic show of defiance and sadness, as survivors recounted harrowing tales of bullets flying past them.
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Rabbi Mendel Kastel, who lost his brother-in-law Rabbi Eli Schlanger, arrived at the scene of the terrorist attack soon after.
He has been heartened by people coming together to support a Jewish community so viciously targeted.
“The one thing that’s common is a sense of community and support, looking after each other and trying to provide as much comfort as possible,” he said.
-with AAP
