1 month ago
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January 22, 2026 — 5:35pm
“Matilda, 10”.
The name and age of the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack rebounded off the soaring, vaulted ceiling of St Paul’s Cathedral, along with the names of the 14 other lives lost in an act of antisemitic violence last month.
A little girl, last seen walking hand in hand with her sister towards the petting zoo at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration.
The silence that followed her name was no longer or louder than the pause that followed the names of the other victims, but it settled differently. Then, a minute’s silence.
Thursday marked a national day of mourning for the victims of the Bondi Beach massacre, the first observed in Australia since the death of Queen Elizabeth in 2022.
Flags were flown at half-mast, major buildings in Sydney and Canberra were illuminated, and Australians were encouraged to perform a mitzvah – an act of kindness, compassion and a moral responsibility.
In Victoria, political and faith leaders from around the state joined hundreds of mourners in an act of unity following the terrorist attack, which has, in the days since December 14, exposed deep division in the community.
“We stand side by side with members of the Jewish community here in Melbourne and throughout Australia, and with countless people the world over who, like us, condemn antisemitism, hate crime, persecution and violence,” Anglican Dean of Melbourne Andreas Loewe said.
“Here, in this iconic cathedral at the heart of Melbourne, we celebrate our city and our community, with its people’s commitment to difference and respect for diversity. ”
Inside St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, figures from across the state’s civic life including Premier Jacinta Allan, Governor Margaret Gardner, diplomats, top public servants, and current and former state and federal MPs joined religious leaders from faiths including the Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu communities.
But the gathering was not defined by those in the front rows.
Dignitaries were outnumbered by hundreds of office workers, students, tourists and members of the Jewish community there to honour the victims. Some paused on their way through the city. Some were en route to work. Others were heading towards Melbourne Park for the tennis.
People came not as representatives, but simply to be present.
Wiping away tears, Melbourne woman Roslyn Elder, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, sat next to members of the Catholic community who offered her support in a moment of profound grief.
“It was a beautiful interfaith service. I really enjoyed hearing from every religion, Hindu, Sikh, Christians … very beautiful prayers and a very beautiful service,” Elder told The Age.
“My parents were Holocaust survivors. Nearly everybody they loved was murdered. They came here, they integrated. They loved Australia, but I am glad they are dead, as they would turn in their graves if they knew what’s going on now.”
Much of the national conversation since December 14 has been shaped by politics – by questions of responsibility, reform and blame. Inside St Paul’s, however, those debates briefly subsided and what remained was silence and ritual.
Candles were lit in keeping with the theme – Light Will Win, a gathering of unity and remembrance – chosen by the Chabad community in Bondi whose Hanukkah gathering was targeted.
Rabbi Ralph Genende, interfaith and community liaison at the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, said those present stood united against antisemitism, hatred and violence.
“We belong to different faith traditions and share a common grief. We acknowledge with confidence our common values, and commit ourselves to foster mutual trust on the basis of respect and understanding,” he said.
“Together, we seek to build a society where all people can work together in cherishing, not disfiguring, our common humanity.”
“Even in the darkness of death, the light of faith and the flame of hope burn strong: by our faith, love and hope light will triumph over darkness.”
Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata in G minor provided a moment of quiet reflection – a composition written by a man who famously resigned from a senior post in protest at the dismissal of a Jewish colleague.
Then Oseh Shalom – perhaps Judaism’s most recognisable prayer for peace – rung out.
“I find that an extraordinarily moving thing, to hear a Hebrew prayer for peace, a Jewish prayer for peace, sung in a cathedral,” Daniel Aghion, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry said.
