NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper on Monday convened an emergency meeting of the Faith Affairs Council alongside religious leaders from some of the state’s largest denominations, following Sunday’s terrorist attack in Bondi targeting a Chanukah event.
Council members and faith leaders expressed their deepest sympathies for those killed in the horrific attack, reaffirmed their solidarity with the Jewish community, and unanimously re-endorsed the joint Faith Affairs Council and Multicultural NSW Advisory Board communiqué issued on Sunday night.
Addressing the meeting, Minister Kamper conveyed the government’s heartbreak, encouraged faith leaders and their communities to reach out to Jewish Australians, and stressed that people of all faiths must work together to restore confidence in NSW’s multicultural harmony.
Senior Jewish clergy, including Rabbi Benjamin Elton of Sydney’s Great Synagogue and Rabbi Nochum Shapiro of Chabad House of the North Shore and President of the Rabbinical Association of Australasia, addressed the gathering. Rabbi Shapiro urged faith communities to show tangible support by lighting a Chanukah candle or engaging in acts of charity, describing it as a way to “fight the darkness with light.”
Faith Affairs Council Chair Right Rev Dr Michael Stead said the meeting demonstrated faith communities standing together with one voice to condemn the attack and support Jewish Australians, while also commending individual faith organisations for their proactive statements of solidarity.
Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman, President of the Australian National Imams Council, said the Muslim community’s heart went out to Jewish Australians, describing the attack as one that struck at the heart of the entire nation. Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Raffel echoed the call for unity, noting the sense of isolation felt within the Jewish community and urging leaders to collectively embrace those grieving.
Andrew Harper of the Australian Christian Churches shared how his young daughter asked if she was safe on Sunday night, reflecting fears tragically felt across the Jewish community.
Faith leaders reaffirmed their commitment to stand firmly with Jewish Australians and to work collaboratively to address antisemitism and hatred.
Dr Stead concluded:
“The meeting was a demonstration of our faith communities at their best—coming together in shared grief to express compassion and support for our Jewish brothers and sisters, and to condemn unequivocally this evil terrorist attack. By continuing to work together in love and respect, we will build peace and harmony in our nation.”