Following a horrific act of violence that claimed 15 lives at Bondi Beach, the New South Wales government sought input from Jewish faith leaders on how to respond. Their request was not for increased security measures, but for positive action – a collective turn towards kindness.
A Call to Action: One Mitzvah for Bondi
Rabbi Nochum Schapiro proposed a simple yet powerful idea: that every person perform one mitzvah, an act of kindness. This call to action was presented at an emergency meeting of the NSW Faith Affairs Council, convened by Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper. The initiative, dubbed “One Mitzvah for Bondi,” seeks to honor the memory of those lost by actively promoting compassion and goodwill.
At nightly vigils held near the site of the tragedy, Sydney’s rabbis shared stories illustrating the kindness displayed by each of the victims during their lives. These included Marika Pogany’s volunteer work delivering Meals on Wheels, and the joy 10-year-old Matilda felt at her friend’s upcoming school award.
The campaign encourages Australians of all backgrounds to participate, performing acts of kindness – large or small – “in memory and honour of those who no longer can,” according to Rabbi Eli Feldman of Newtown synagogue. He emphasized that such actions are vital to “foster the type of society where the evil” behind the attack “won’t be able to grow.”
Beyond Religious Boundaries
While the concept of mitzvahs is central to Judaism – encompassing 613 divine commandments – the campaign recognizes similar principles of compassion in other faiths. Islamic Sadaqah and Christianity’s emphasis on social justice were cited as examples of shared values.
Kabir Singh, owner of the Pocket Rocketz food truck, embraced the spirit of the campaign despite being unfamiliar with the term mitzvah. Drawing on the Sikh tradition of selfless service, he donated 100% of his weekend profits to support the victims and their families. He noted a sense of interconnectedness within the community, highlighted by a conversation with a customer whose family was directly impacted by the tragedy.
Other businesses, such as Deliciousness bakery in Sutherland, have joined the effort, donating goods to show their support. NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the campaign at a recent vigil, linking it to the legacy of Rabbi Schlanger, who had been developing a similar initiative – “Project Noah” – focused on building a better world through kindness.
The NSW government has created a website to collect stories of good deeds performed in honor of the Bondi victims and encourages participants to share their actions on social media using the hashtag #OneMitzvahforBondi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mitzvah?
In Judaism, a mitzvah is a commandment or good deed. While there are 613 traditional mitzvahs, the campaign uses the term more broadly to refer to any act of kindness or charity.
Who is leading the One Mitzvah for Bondi campaign?
The campaign originated with a proposal from Rabbi Nochum Schapiro to the NSW Faith Affairs Council and is being supported by Jewish community leaders, including Rabbi Eli Feldman, and the NSW government.
How can I participate in the campaign?
The campaign invites all Australians to perform an act of kindness, big or small, and share their actions on the NSW government website or on social media using the hashtag #OneMitzvahforBondi.
As the “One Mitzvah for Bondi” campaign gains momentum, what other forms of community-led healing and remembrance might emerge in the wake of this tragedy?
