Hundreds of mourners filled the Great Hall at Parliament House in Canberra on Sunday evening, united in grief to honour the 15 lives lost in the nation's deadliest mass shooting. The candlelight memorial and Hanukkah gathering, held on December 21, marked one week since the tragic attack at Bondi.
A Gathering of Light and Remembrance
More than 800 residents, politicians, and members of the Jewish community attended the solemn event, which was hosted by Chabad ACT and the ACT Jewish Community. The gathering, titled "Hanukkah on the Hill," coincided with solidarity events held across Australia. The public hall was a sea of light as attendees held candles, both traditional and electric, with others raising the torches on their phones in a powerful display of solidarity.
Rabbi Shmueli Feldman, who is related to victims Boris and Sofia Gurman, addressed the sombre crowd. He was joined on stage by Athol Morris, president of the ACT Jewish Community. "Nothing will stop us from lighting the menorah," Rabbi Feldman declared. "Our enemies will never succeed, because light always overcomes darkness."
Leaders Call for Rejecting Hatred
The rabbi reflected on the profound loss, stating that while nothing could bring back the victims, their deaths could inspire the nation. "If this tragedy awakens Australia to confront hatred squarely and to reject it forever with a flood of goodness and bravery and love, then their memories will indeed be for a blessing," he said. The event paid special tribute to those who died while protecting others and to individuals injured in acts of bravery during the attack.
Political leaders from across the spectrum participated, including ACT Senator Katy Gallagher, ACT Attorney-General Tara Cheyne, ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury, and Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton. Each took a turn lighting candles on stage in a symbolic act of remembrance.
A Message of Compassion and Clarity
Athol Morris delivered a poignant speech, urging people to learn to recognise and reject hate before it manifests in action. He emphasised that peacebuilding and community dialogue are essential to prevent unrest from escalating into deep division. "I can speak honestly and clearly about Jew hatred without demanding suspicion of another faith. Compassion does not require an asterisk," Mr Morris stated.
He powerfully articulated the need for distinct empathy, saying, "I can mourn for my people in full voice... and still look upon my Muslim neighbors with all our dignity and welcome, because their pain deserves its own language and our pain deserves our own clarity." He concluded by affirming that "This tragedy has marked us with grief, but it has not erased our compassion, our courage or our commitment to life."
The memorial concluded with Rabbi Feldman leading a prayer and a song for peace. "The Jewish people will never be broken. Australia will never be broken. We will never back down. We will never stop being Jewish, and we will never let evil win," he said, his words met with resounding applause from the gathered crowd.
Organisers directed those wishing to offer support to donate to the "Support Sydney" fundraiser for victims' families and to contribute to the NSW government's "One Mitzvah for Bondi" initiative.
