Australia Marks A National Day Of Mourning For Bondi Victims

Australians will come together today in the national day of mourning for the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

People across the country are being asked to honour the 15 people killed by performing a mitzvah and marking a minute’s silence this evening.

A core value in Judaism, a mitzvah is an act of charity and compassion, and can be any little offering that makes someone’s world a better place. It can be a simple as donating to organisations in service of others, being kind to animals, or letting the people you cherish most know how much they mean to you.

After consultation with the Chabad Community in Bondi, the theme for the day is “Light will win, a gathering of unity and remembrance”, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called “a message of hope and unity to guide and inspire Australians, as we move forward.”

In the spirit of that light, institutions across the ACT and NSW, including the Opera House, will be illuminated as “symbols of light” once the sun sets.

A commemorative installation called the 15 Pillars of Light will also be held in Canberra and cities across Australia. Each pillar serves as a physical symbol of mourning, remembrance and national solidarity.

An evening of remembrance  

An official national memorial service will be held at the Sydney Opera House this evening, organised by the Chabad of Bondi, where community leaders, survivors of the attack, families, and first responders will come together.

The invite-only event can be live-streamed from home on the Chabad of Bondi’s YouTube channel at 7pm.

A short name reading and candle lighting ceremony will also be taking place at Bondi Pavilion from 5:30pm to 6pm, and a virtual condolence book is available on the NSW government website, with messages to be published in a book and given to the families of those affected.

Australians are encouraged to observe a minute of silence at 7:01pm, and leave a lit candle on their doorstep or front window.