While many government schools are scheduled to conclude the school year closer to the end of the week, a significant number of independent schools have already closed for the summer break, some finishing as early as last Friday.
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Only a year ago, Levin was standing in front of the firebombed Adass Israel synagogue in suburban Ripponlea and thinking: “It can’t get any worse than this.”
On Sunday night, she said she was now dreading hearing the names of the victims of the Bondi shooting.
“I feel physically ill at the thought of hearing who it is, because no doubt there’ll be friends, colleagues, family members, either of myself or people who I know. So, we’re just waiting with absolute dread.”
“We just want to live peaceful lives as Jewish people.”
The Victoria Police statement spoke of the force’s “shock and distress” at events in Bondi and said police stood with the Jewish community.
“The additional resources being deployed tonight are part of operations Trinity and Alliance, which run nightly as part of our broader community safety efforts,” the statement said.
“We are also immediately increasing police resources allocated to Operation Park, established in October 2023 to monitor and co-ordinate the investigation of offences associated with the Middle East conflict, which are predominantly targeted at Jewish people.”
Victoria Police said the statewide operation would involve an increased police presence around places of worship and locations of significance to the Jewish community, including schools, synagogues and community halls.
From left: Yossi Aron, Binyomin Klein, Daniel Aghion, KC, and Naomi Levin speak to the media after the Adass Israel synagogue fire last December.Credit: Simon Schluter
“Victoria Police’s additional patrols are not a result of any direct advice from the NSW Police Force but rather to provide reassurance,” the statement said.
“Victoria Police expresses its sympathies for those who have lost loved ones in tonight’s tragedy and is thinking of our interstate emergency services colleagues.”
Premier Jacinta Allan sent the best wishes of all Victorians to NSW and all those grieving.
“The incident that has unfolded in Bondi this evening is horrifying and distressing,” Allan wrote on X.
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“My thoughts are with all those impacted by this horrific incident and with the first responders who are dealing with this traumatic event.
“Tonight all Victorians stand with New South Wales and everyone who is grieving right now.”
State lower house MP David Southwick, the member for Caulfield, called the Bondi shooting an assault on Jews in Australia.
“The mass shooting of Jews at a Chanukah event in Sydney has left me heartbroken, and it should horrify every Australian,” Southwick wrote on X.
“This attack was an assault on the very existence of Jews in Australia. Many in the Victorian Jewish community know someone who has been impacted.
“This violence has been escalating over the past two years, and this tragedy represents a devastating peak. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the entire Australian Jewish community.
“Please follow police advice as this situation continues to unfold.”
Victorian opposition leader Jess Wilson said she stood with Australia’s Jewish community.
“The incident this evening at Bondi Beach is tragic, heartbreaking and will shock every Australian,” Wilson said in a statement.
“This repugnant act of targeted violence will cause enormous distress within Australia’s Jewish and broader communities at an already vulnerable time.
“No Australian should live in fear for being who they are or for celebrating their faith. No Australian should be subjected to acts of such extreme violence. This conduct and the hateful views that drive it are intolerable and must be stamped out.”
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