Australian Olympic medallist Jemima Montag has shared a poignant message of hope, revealing her wedding day was a conscious choice for "light" just hours before the devastating attack in Bondi.
A wedding day of joy and reflection
Montag, a race walking champion, married sports doctor Dan Friedman in a traditional Jewish ceremony last Sunday. The couple exchanged vows under the Chuppah at the picturesque Gardens House within Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.
In a heartfelt series of social media posts, Montag thanked those who made the day special. She gave a special nod to Rabbi Yaakov Glasman for officiating and the Isaiah Wedding Band for providing an unforgettable horah, the traditional Jewish circle dance.
The couple had been engaged for twelve months before their Melbourne wedding. Montag posted photos from her "magical day" with a caption that took on profound meaning as events unfolded.
A stark contrast: Celebration and tragedy
Merely hours after the wedding festivities concluded, the nation was rocked by news of a targeted attack at a Chanukah party in Bondi. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of 15 innocent lives.
Montag's wedding caption resonated deeply in the aftermath. "On the very day of the devastation at Bondi Beach, we stood under the Chuppah and chose light," she wrote. She invoked a central tenet of her faith, adding, "Judaism teaches us that even a single flame can endure. May our marriage carry this light forward."
Carrying a legacy of strength
Montag's connection to her Jewish heritage and family history is a powerful force in her life. She has previously spoken about honouring her late grandmother, a Holocaust survivor who passed away shortly before the Tokyo Olympics.
Her grandmother broke a cherished necklace into three pieces, giving one to Jemima and each of her sisters. Montag now wears her piece as a bracelet, a tangible reminder of her family's resilience.
"It's a reminder that I choose to be out there day in, day out at these competitions doing what I do," Montag told the ABC in 2022. "And it's hard, but it should be fun."
This strength has clearly translated to her athletic career. Montag is a decorated walker, having won a bronze medal in the 20km walk at the Paris Olympics last year. She also secured a bronze in the mixed marathon walk relay. Her Commonwealth Games record is stellar, with gold medals in the 20km walk in 2018 and the 10km event in 2022.
In choosing to celebrate love and light on a day later marked by darkness, Montag's personal story becomes one of enduring hope and the conscious choice to honour life and legacy.
