Under the co-ordination of the Jewish Board of Deputies, Jewish House – a crisis support service – and JewishCare set up an operational room to deliver support. “Some of these people have a very long road ahead of them,” said Board of Deputies CEO Michele Goldman.
Significant support has been offered to Kesser Torah College, where many of the children who were attending the Hanukkah festival went to school. Several lost fathers or relatives.
After Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, members of the Australian Jewish Community set up a volunteer WhatsApp group, Operation Golda, to source and send supplies to those who needed them in Israel.
Golda has also mobilised in the wake of the Bondi attacks, and its 2000-odd volunteers are working with Jewish Care to provide support. “Everything from delivering food, to doing laundry, offering courier services to move around,” said Goldman.
On the first Monday, Jewish support services received 60 calls. A third just wanted to talk, a third needed their immediate needs met, and a third wanted longer-term support.
“I’ve spoken to families today who don’t feel safe in their homes,” said Goldman. “One of their first requests is to have a locksmith change the locks, or can we put cameras in the building.”
Bondi Beach attack helplinesVictim Services helpline 1800 411 822Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228Supply information to police on 1800 333 000
Other support:
NSW Health Mental Health Line, available 24/7 on 1800 011 511Community Resilience and Support Hotline, call 1800 979 676.JewishCare, call 1300 133 660.For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14Children and young people can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au.
The Herald and The Age on Tuesday retracted an opinion piece, ‘I went to Bondi and hugged people who’d never spoken to a Muslim before’, out of respect for the Jewish community. This masthead apologises for any distress its publication caused.
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