G’day,

I honestly don’t know what to say. I'm numb, composing this on my phone, hoping the words will come.

I know something needs to be said.

My weekend was a summer bbq at my new house with family and friends. It was an afternoon for sausages, Zooper Doopers, and the slip 'n' slide I bought with my daughters.

I have been to Bondi more times than I can count. On any other day, like so many Sydney-siders, I could easily have been there on Sunday. It was a perfect day for the beach. A perfect day to be with community.

But what words are enough for this terrible act of violence and terror, targeted at our sisters and brothers in the Jewish community, and striking to the heart of all that we hold dear as humans who share this country?

The truth is, today I’m grieving and I’m afraid.

I’m grieving for the innocent lives lost and for those injured. I’m grieving for their families and those who loved them most. I’m grieving for the Jewish community who live in fear in what should be their safest places.

And I’m afraid of a dark, thick blanket of hate that is smothering our world.

I’m afraid for my kids and yours.

But this, as ever, is a moment of choice for us all. We can turn grief and fear into yet more hate, or we can reach towards love.

Love is the binding glue of solidarity. It is the substance of community.

Love drives out hate. It propels the heroes and first responders at Bondi. It lives in the messages of kindness on social media and stands in the blood bank queue today.

The days and weeks ahead are going to be hard. If you are feeling it today, know that you are not alone.

Let’s recommit to looking after each other and acting always with love.

Thanks for who you are and all that you do.

Best,

Chris

Chris Gambian
Executive Director
afmh.org.au