Bondi Attack Sparks ‘One Mitzvah’ Campaign: A Call to Kindness Across Australia
in teh wake of the tragic Bondi Beach attack, which claimed 15 lives, a powerful movement is sweeping across New South Wales adn beyond – a call for every Australian to perform an act of kindness, known as a “mitzvah,” in memory of the victims.
Following the devastating events, the New South Wales goverment sought guidance from Jewish faith leaders on how to respond. Their request wasn’t for increased security measures or stricter laws, but for a positive, proactive approach to healing and building a more compassionate society. Rabbi Nochum schapiro presented a simple yet profound idea at an emergency meeting of the NSW Faith Affairs Council convened by Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper: everyone should perform one mitzvah – an act of kindness.
At nightly vigils held outside Bondi Pavilion,just metres from where the tragedy unfolded,Sydney’s rabbis shared poignant stories illustrating the kindness displayed by each of the 15 victims during their lives.These ranged from Rabbi Eli Schlanger’s dedication to supporting incarcerated individuals, driving hours to visit prisoners, to Marika Pogany’s volunteer work delivering Meals on wheels to elderly residents, and even the simple joy of 10-year-old Matilda knowing her friend would receive a school award.
The “One Mitzvah for Bondi” campaign, spearheaded by Rabbi Eli Feldman of Newtown synagogue, now invites all Australians, regardless of faith or background, to participate in a good deed “in memory and honour of those who no longer can.” As Feldman stated, “Let us continue to bring their light to the world.” The initiative aims not only to honour the victims but also to cultivate a society resilient to the forces of hate.
“But also to foster the type of society where the evil that these two messengers of darkness represented, and were able to carry out, won’t be able to grow,” a mourner shared at a vigil. “When we care for each other, when we step up for each other, when we volunteer to make a difference, that really creates the type of lovely society that we all would love to see in this country.”
The concept of a mitzvah originates in Judaism, traditionally encompassing 613 divine commandments. However,its meaning has broadened to include any charitable act or deed of kindness. The campaign encourages both large and small gestures – from reconnecting with estranged friends and assisting neighbors to donating time, money, or blood, as a record number of Australians did in the days following the attack. Each act, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is considered a mitzvah.
While mitzvahs and tikkun olam (repairing the world) are central tenets of Judaism, their underlying principles resonate across diverse faiths. Feldman highlighted parallels with Islamic Sadaqah and
