More than $1m to help victims heal after Bondi attack
The Minns Labor Government has today announced more than $1 million in additional grant funding for Jewish organisations to support their community following the Bondi terror attack on December 14.
The funding, spread across 24 grants, is part of the Minns Labor Government’s Jewish Community Response Grants Program, providing timely, practical support to foster connection and healing, and to help communities recover from the events of December 14.
The program is one element of the Minns Labor Government’s wider recovery response to the attack, which includes the establishment of a Community Support Hub, appointment of two co-coordinators general to oversee the recovery response, and millions of dollars in crisis, mental health and small business support, among others. The ‘One Mitzvah for Bondi’ campaign was also launched in the attack’s aftermath, at the suggestion of Jewish leaders, which called on Australians to do one good deed of kindness or charity.
In this latest tranche of grants, mental health and community resilience are the priority, and projects include:
- Trauma-informed counselling services and peer support activities for teens and young adults
- Culturally sensitive support for senior Jewish-Australians living in non-denominational aged care
- After-school resilience workshops for children, including those directly impacted by the tragedy
The grants promote a community-led approach, enabling grass-roots organisations to provide practical and social support.
Funded by the NSW Government, the grants are administered by Multicultural NSW, which has worked closely with the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies on the recovery response to the Bondi attack, including identifying the areas of most need and projects that will have the largest impact.
Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:
“This attack has shaken our entire state and caused unimaginable pain for our Jewish community. We know the impacts will be long lasting and it’s critical that we provide support quickly.
“This package is about dignity, compassion and practical help, delivered by the community for the community.
“Our responsibility is to stand alongside the Jewish community and help them recover.”
Multicultural NSW Acting CEO James Jegasothy said:
"Jewish organisations have always provided culturally sensitive and effective services to the community. These services are even more important right now. Multicultural NSW is pleased to support the community with funding during a difficult time.
“I hope that – with the help of all of us – our Jewish community will begin to heal and become stronger as a result.”
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies President David Ossip said:
“The Jewish community has been deeply moved by Australians from all walks of life wrapping their arms around us in the aftermath of the attack and offering support in any way they could.
“Though we are all in shock and deeply sad, we are also resilient.
“These programs will play a crucial role in that resilience as our community begins to heal.
“With the help of the broader community, we are determined that light will triumph over darkness.”