Bondi – from shared shock and horror to greater understanding

Like so many in our community, I have been both surprised at the outpouring of shock and horror by non-Jewish friends, work colleagues and the community at large, and also bitterly disappointed by some of the complete silence from those who I had expected more.

Having taken time to understand my own response to this tragedy, and hearing from many people speak to this massacre, I decided that I needed to help people I know, my colleagues at work, that there is a context to what happened in Bondi.  Not a political analysis, but actually how the small Jewish community in Australia actually lives day-to-day.

I am fortunate to work in a caring Australian Not for Profit, Infoxchange, whose byline is “Technology for Social Justice.” So it was no surprise when our CEO, David Spriggs, posted the statement below in an all staff email at 7:48AM on Monday 15th Dec:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by the horrific terrorism attack in Sydney overnight.  The Prime Minister has condemned the Bondi Beach attack as an “act of evil antisemitism” targeting Australia’s Jewish community, declaring the nation will never submit to “division, violence or hatred”.

“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith, an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.”

We stand with all Jewish Australians and all those impacted directly and indirectly by the attack.

Please check in with and support your colleagues during this incredibly difficult time – and feel able to make whatever adjustments you need to your work commitments today.  If you need to cancel meetings or appointments do so, but please let your manager know so that adjustments can be made and you can be supported.

I wrote a short response note back to all staff:

Celebrating the first night of Chanukah – a holiday that is about the right of Jews to live and........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)