National Day of Mourning to honour Bondi victims

As many of you will be aware, the Prime Minister has declared Thursday 22 January a National Day of Mourning to honour the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, and to recognise all those impacted across our community. 

Our thoughts remain with the victims, their families and everyone affected by this terrible act of violence against the Jewish community. We stand with the Jewish community, and are particularly mindful of the impact on our Jewish staff and students. 

Bondi’s Chabad Community has chosen the theme of ‘light will win – a gathering of unity and remembrance’ for the day, reflecting a message of hope and unity to take forward.  

On Thursday at 7.01pm, the Prime Minister has invited all Australians to observe a nationwide minute of silence in memory of the 15 people whose lives were lost.  

At UTS we will fly our flags at half-mast on Thursday and illuminate our campus in the evening in commemoration of the day.  

You may wish to undertake a ‘Mitzvah for Bondi’, whether individually or with loved ones. In Jewish tradition, a Mitzvah is a moral responsibility and a practical act of kindness or compassion.  

I encourage you to reflect on this message from UTS’s Rabbi Eli Feldman, “Let us all increase in acts of kindness to each other because in the face of light and good, darkness and evil will always dissipate.” 

As a university community we reject antisemitism, racism and violence in all its forms and we remain united in our values of respect, inclusion and care that continue to define our community.
I know our community will continue to support each other during this time.