Members of the Jewish and Waverley communities have come together with dignitaries, faith leaders and special guests to celebrate a unique Shabbat Dinner at Bondi Beach.
The event, co-hosted by Waverley Council and the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, was dedicated to fostering social cohesion, honouring the community and celebrating the shared values of unity, reflection and fellowship.
Mayor, Will Nemesh said attendees also included families of victims of the 14 December terror attack at Bondi Beach as well as survivors, heroic first responders and representatives of organisations that provided support and care to those affected.
“Hosting Shabbat at Bondi offered a meaningful opportunity to bring our community together through one of Judaism’s most enduring traditions,” Mayor Nemesh said.
“At a time when many are seeking connection, a communal gathering like this was a simple yet profound way to build relationships, bridge generational and cultural divides, and celebrate the rich Jewish heritage that forms part of Waverley’s identity.”
For thousands of years, Shabbat has brought Jewish families and communities together each Friday, to mark the Sabbath, in a spirit of rest, reflection and connection, David Ossip, President of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, explained.
“To share that tradition at Bondi Beach with government representatives, interfaith leaders, survivors, first responders and members of the broader Eastern Suburbs community was deeply meaningful,” Mr Ossip said.
“In the wake of the tragic Bondi attack, the solidarity shown with the Jewish community has been particularly moving. We are grateful to Waverley Council and all those who attended, and we hope this will be one of many opportunities to strengthen the bonds that unite us.”
After the attack on the Chanukah by the Sea celebration, Council committed to a range of measures to provide ongoing direct and indirect support to the Jewish community.
Among them was a renewed focus on bolstering social cohesion in Waverley, which Mayor Nemesh said included opportunities for collective healing and visible displays of resilience and solidarity.
“Bondi’s strong Jewish heritage and its reputation as a place for tolerance and respect make it especially fitting for such a gathering.”
