In the wake of the recent Bondi Beach attack, a profound sense of grief and urgency has enveloped the affected communities. Law enforcement and local leaders now are appealing for solidarity, mercy, and more effective assistance to those affected by the unthinkable incident. Prominent figures, including mental health professionals and community leaders, have urged individuals to engage in acts of kindness, attend vigils, and contribute to charitable efforts aimed at healing.
Christopher Hall of Grief Australia highlighted the mental anguish that these occurrences can inflict on someone. Describing the impact of such events, he said that it is the sense of being totally powerless and helpless. “It is a loss of the world as we understood it,” Hall noted, adding that it is not only about the loss of lives but a loss of normalcy and predictability.
Despite this act of hate, the attack has inspired a continued outpouring of support across diverse communities. Bystander Ahmed Al Ahmed, shown in footage from the scene, intervened heroically during the attack by tackling and disarming one of the attackers. His actions have recently been hailed, even in the midst of the chaos, as heroic. Max Kaiser, executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, said his community is feeling “devastated.” He touched on the wave of messages of love and support that have inundated our community on every front.
Community Response to Tragedy
As Amanda Gordon and other mental health professionals know, when disaster strikes, we all want to help. Gordon is an award-winning clinical psychologist based in Sydney. In her spare time, she’s been volunteering her time and expertise to help the Jewish community recover from this horrific act of terror. She pointed out the overwhelming response from non-Jewish people has been “extraordinary,” including thousands who have signed petitions or attended vigils, showcasing solidarity between communities.
Dr. Kaiser called for just that, urging all of us in the wake of tragedy to respond with “love, solidarity and unity.” He proposed small but powerful gestures to demonstrate solidarity. For example, friends and neighbors would know to light a candle in their windows or to call their Jewish friends and coworkers to ask how they are without expecting them to explain why they are scared. Maybe it’s reaching out to Jewish friends and colleagues. Hall strongly encouraged everyone to keep it short and sweet in their support. You could say “I’m remembering you” or “I’m available if you want to hang out.”
Imam Ahmed Abdo, chairman of the Council of Imams NSW and vice president of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), emphasized the importance of neighborly actions. He mentioned that many in the Muslim community have faced harassment and abuse in public settings and expressed the need for support across all demographics.
Acts of Kindness and Vigil Attendance
Community members are looking for ways to express their solidarity, whether it be attending vigils or donating to charities or fundraisers that support the cause. Hall encouraged everyone to engage in these activities both as opportunities for collective grieving and healing, and as forms of protest. He emphasized how these community-led events strengthen relationships, creating a sense of community and belonging when faced with natural disasters.
“All of us have been receiving texts from friends, family, acquaintances… people we don’t know that well,” Kaiser shared, reflecting on the collective outreach he has experienced since the attack. He went on to explain how seemingly small gestures can take on larger meaning in moments of tragedy.
In response, Gordon called on people to help counter the escalating climate and discord by spreading goodwill. “Stand up against antisemitism… go and say something kind to your neighbor who is from a different background,” she recommended. This call for compassion resonates with many who seek to prevent divisiveness amid tragedy.
The Need for Collective Action
As communities continue to wrestle with the domino effects of the Bondi Beach attack, leaders are urging vigilance not to allow hate to build. Kaiser went on to praise the outpouring support as amazing. There are those among us who use these points of unity as opportunities to sow deeper discord. He remarked, “Unfortunately we are already seeing people use this to stir up more hate and push divisiveness.”
In order to push back against this negativity, Kaiser emphasized the need for a united front against racism in any shape or form. “We really need people to understand that racism can’t be solved with more racism,” he stated, emphasizing the need for dialogue and connection among diverse groups.
