How Sydney Has Come Together After the Bondi Terror Attack

It’s been a devastating week in Sydney. This is especially so for the Jewish community and Bondi locals. What we saw last Sunday was a horrific attack on our Jewish community, as they gathered to celebrated the first day of Hanukkah by the ocean.

As I wrote in an editor’s letter on Monday, Bondi is an Australian icon. A stretch of sand we’re known for around the world. But at its core, Bondi is a tight-knit neighbourhood with a palpable sense of community, made up of early-rising swimmers, surfers, lifesavers, families, the elderly, young people working abroad, creatives and small business operators. 

In the days that have followed the attack we’ve seen communities across Sydney coming together: hours-long queues in the hot sun to donate blood, millions of dollars donated, additional mental health support services set up, and an outpouring of support and condemnation. 

Much more will be needed as we navigate this event, but it’s important to look to those banding together and freely offering kindness to strangers – because it’s this which speaks more than anything to the character of our city. 

The following are just some of the ways Sydney has come together in the last week, as well as continuing initiatives to that keep that spirit of support going.

• Thousands of people took part in a massive paddle out at Bondi on Friday morning, honouring the victims of Sunday’s attack in a poignant act of solidarity. The event was also a tribute to our first responders, lifeguards and the people that jumped in to help during and immediately after the attack.

• Lox in a Box is hosting a Hanukkah menorah-lighting ceremony on Sunday December 21. Originally scheduled to run at its Bondi shop, Lox is now teaming up with the official Light Over Darkness event in the eastern suburbs. The Lox team is providing free latkes, plus doughnuts courtesy of Shuk. Tickers cost $18 ticket and all funds will be donated to the Go Fund Me fundraisers of Jewish people affected by the attack. The event starts at 7pm, with the exact location shared with RSVP. All are welcome.

• Sikh-run charity Turbans 4 Australia is a big-h organisation that provides emergency relief to people in need, from those experiencing financial hardship and homelessness to people caught up in natural disasters like bushfires and floods. In Bondi, the group has been providing free meals, fruit and water to the local community and those who have come to mourn at the public memorial at Bondi Pavilion. They have been on site since Wednesday, when they served 200 meals. They expect those numbers to grow through the week. The crew will be on site from midday till 7pm, until the end of the week. Check Instagram for up-to-date information.

• On Sunday December 21, Bourke Street Bakery is donating all proceeds from its 12 bakeries across Sydney to Bondi Relief, an initiative put together by The Dor Foundation to support those who’ve been directly impacted by the attack.

• The Lemon Tree Grocer, on Glenayr Avenue, has provided fresh flowers, free of charge, to the grieving community since the attack. A sea of florals, notes and other tributes, to honour victims of the attack, can be seen out the front of Bondi Pavilion.

• Gertrude & Alice, the beloved Bondi book shop and cafe, has made it possible to “donate” a coffee this week. Simply let the person at the counter know you would like to purchase a coffee for someone affected by the tragedy, and it will be passed on.

• Iberica and Ikaria, two popular Bondi restaurants from couple Joaquin Saez and Emily Abay, donated all profits from services on Wednesday December 17 and Thursday December 18 to the victims of the attack and their families.

• Specialised mental health support services have been set up in Bondi and Coogee. Mental health professionals are on the ground, offering counselling for free from 8am till 8pm every day. Similarly, local places – like hospitals, Headspace in Bondi Junction and Safe Haven at Sydney Children’s Hospital – are operating with extended hours to meet increased demand.

• Across the country, Australians broke the record for the highest number of blood, plasma and platelet donations in a day. On Monday December 15, 7810 people turned up at donation centres (including 1300 first-timers). Close to 50,000 appointments for future donations have been booked, more than twice the previous record. The need for blood donations never dwindles, so if you are able to, book in to give blood.

• Millions of dollars have been donated to verified Go Fund Me fundraisers to support those directly affected by the attack. This includes fundraisers for the families of those that lost their lives, hero Ahmed al Ahmed, the police officers injured during the attack and Bondi’s Lifeline, a crisis-support service largely run by volunteers. 

• Lifeline has shared a wellbeing support guide specifically focused on the Bondi attack, and mental health support services are available 24/7 via Beyond Blue, Mental Health Line and Kids Helpline.

• The NSW Government set up a dedicated site with verified information, support services and a space to share online messages of solidarity. 

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Sunday December 21, the last day of Hanukkah and one week anniversary of the attack, a “national day of reflection”. The day, he says, invites the country to take pause on Sunday “to honour the victims of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community”.