#49 - Compassion, Courage & Community After Bondi

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Hello and welcome back to Engaging Conversations.
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I'm your host, Leon Goltsman, and it's been nearly six months on from the tragedy at Bonsai Beach.
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Many Australians are still processing the heartbreak of what occurred and the conversations about division and social cohesion that have followed.
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But today's conversation is not about politics, blame or asking people to take sides over conflicts happening overseas.
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At its heart, this is a conversation about humanity.
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And before we begin, a sincere thank you to our supporters and sponsors, particularly Napean Advanced Rehab and Allied Health Centre, Bondi District's Chamber of Commerce, and the Lake Mac Business in Focus for helping make conversations like this possible.
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My special guest today is Rabbi Yossi Friedman, known to many as Rabbi on Demand.
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Through his work, Yossi brings comfort, connection, and support to people from all walks of life, wherever they may need it most.
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And personally, I have to say that I'm genuinely in awe of the great work that Yossi does for the community through his humility, consistency, and care for others.
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But what moves me most in this conversation were the stories of kindness, courage, and everyday heroism that emerged during the difficult times.
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Stories of Australians from different backgrounds and faiths simply showing up for one another when it mattered most.
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Yet also this episode is for everyone.
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Whether you are religious or not, there is something deeply important in this message.
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Every community needs people who bring light, compassion, and hope into difficult moments.
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So without further ado, let's get into it.
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Hi, I'm Rabbi Yossi from Rabbi on Demand.
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Well, thank you, Leon, for having me here.
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I've known you for quite a long time now, and I'm also in awe of the work that you do tirelessly for the community.
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And uh I used to be a synagogue rabbi uh growing up here in in the Bondi region, Dover Heights area.
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I grew up always attending synagogues since I was six years of age.
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My dad would take me to synagogue every single day.
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He was the president of the then Southhead Synagogue, and he would take his little six-year-old with him every day.
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And I lit really grew up in the community.
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And even though I digressed at some point during my teenage years and went off and did a business degree, I came back to community life and uh and started working as a rabbi in the Central Synagogue, followed following that in Cremorne synagogue, and then most recently in the Marubra Synagogue and Mount Sinai College communities.
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Uh three years ago, I decided, after 16 years as a formal traditional synagogue rabbi, I decided to leave the traditional way and personalize Jewish experiences and deliver them to you.
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Kind of like what Uber does in the transport system.
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I was trying to do in the spiritual space in the Jewish system, and the reason is as follows: it's to try and touch Jews where they are.
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Many Jews don't go into the synagogue, so how can I take the synagogue experience, the spiritual, the religious experience, and personalize it and bring it to you?
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And my hope was to engage with the many Jews who are unaffiliated.
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But again, may tap in if there's something on their terms and which relates to their lifestyle.
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And we've seen the concept of rabbi on demand going from strength to strength.
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What does rabbi on demand actually mean in practice?
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So rabbi on demand is based on the portable temple called the Tabernacle that was journeying with the people throughout their 40-year sojourn in the desert before they came into the land of Israel and had the fixture of the temple, one space that everyone would go to, they had a pop-up that would travel with them through the desert.
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And and this was really the first model of what I'm doing.
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And dawned on me after COVID that we need to find a way to rejuvenate our community.
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And as rabbis, we've been talking for decades, and not just rabbis, I know in other faith communities as well, is how do we bring people into our synagogues, into our institutions?
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And how do we face the problem of assimilation and apathy?
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How do we make Judaism relevant?
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And so that's that was my thinking at the time coming out of COVID.
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It's through intimate, small, personalized Jewish experiences that during COVID we started to experiment with because we couldn't have the large synagogue spaces open, but we were doing some very small, intimate um gatherings in people's homes or out in the parks.
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And that proved to be quite successful.
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We saw Jews that we didn't see in many years coming into the synagogue, but were connecting in other ways.
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And so that really uh kind of laid the foundation for what became Rabbi on Demand, uh, which is the rabbi who is not assigned and fixed inside walls, but can travel and take the magic that you'll find in a synagogue and bring it to your doorstep.
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Well, Rabbi, our paths have crossed many, many times.
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In fact, more so recently than than before.
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And um, you know, I've seen you at weddings, at funerals, informal mentoring sessions, providing spiritual care today down the beach.
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I mean, this is something that people may not have realized if it was just following a traditional sense.
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But as you explained it, you've taken your thinking outside the box.
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And we've seen that many Australians identify as non-religious, yet still seek meaning, belonging, and moral clarity.
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We've seen that, especially following the events of December the 14th.
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How can the work of a rabbi resonate with people who don't identify as Jewish or even religious at all?
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I believe that as Jews we have deep values and traditions, customs that have been passed on to us for thousands of years.
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You know, we're still here today, the oldest uninterrupted uh line of tradition and religion, more than three and a half thousand years, and we're still here keeping those same customs and those same same traditions.
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And really the bedrock, Judeo-Christian values, Christianity, Islam, comes from the bedrock of Judaism.
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And so, you know, the Ten Commandments, um, the seven Noahide laws, commandments that really uh are about human dignity and and freedom and and the freedom of the human spirit, and we're created in the in the likeness of oneness, of the one God, the one creator.
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And a lot of these values underlie Western civilization that we enjoy today.
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And so I think And I suppose we've enjoyed for many, many centuries as well.
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We have.
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We have for many centuries.
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But yet, you know, as Jews, we have faced persecution, and there are a number of thoughts as to why that is, why why the messenger of light and values is then persecuted, which maybe we can do at another time.
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Uh but I deeply believe that the main religions that we have, and and even as as human beings, good upstanding citizens of our country, that there are common values here, especially since December 14 and running services.
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I always try and make sure that they're open enough that everyone can find some sort of meaning.
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So when I ask people to at some point to close their eyes for a moment and to focus on a moment of light that they've experienced and to express gratitude and joy.
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I mean, these are values in Judaism that we wake up every morning and we say a one-line declaration called Modéani.
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We give thanks to our creator for bringing our breath back inside of us, for making us alive.
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The fact that we're alive means that we have something that we can become, something that we can achieve for that day.
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It doesn't matter what stage of life we're in, what our age is, if we are here in this world or we've been chosen for a mission.
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And we can always add value to other people as well.
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Can always add value.
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And so these teachings, I believe, are something that everyone can relate to.
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And that is really, I think, the broader mission here.
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Yes, Rabbi on Demand, what I launched, uh was to take care of the unaffiliated Jews.
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But I think there's also an opportunity, especially since December 14, to invite members of other faiths or no faith to come together as a humanity and to unite around these good and common values?
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Well, we've seen, unfortunately, people don't respond the way that they normally would until there's a tragedy.
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And uh moments like the recent Bondi tragedy test the moral and emotional fabric of a community.
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In the aftermath of the Bondi shooting, what role did you feel called to play and what did you witness in people during those days that most moved you?
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So in the aftermath of the era of Hanukkah, which means the onset of the festival of Hanukkah, December 14th tragedy, uh, we saw the worst of hate and Australia, really.
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Sadly, didn't think, was hoping it didn't exist, but clearly it did exist and that it could erupt in the way that it did, targeting viciously hunting Jews at a celebration of light.
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So sadly we know now that that that element, that dangerous element, does exist, and it reared its ugly head, the darkest of dark.
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But yet what I've seen since that horrific evening has been just tremendous light and resilience and strength from our own Jewish community, from the broader Bondi community and the thousands of survivors, and when I use that term loosely, but there were thousands of people who were impacted, who were there on the beach, who were who were fleeing the scene.
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Thousands were impacted.
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There were thousands of survivors.
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Well, that was that was the first year I actually I didn't go.
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I mean, every year I was there.
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I even spoke to Ellie Schlanger, who was one of the victims.
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So between you and I, we knew most of the victims and the families as well.
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So it it strikes us much closer to home than most people.
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But you know, I spend a lot of time in Lake Quarry.
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I live there, but I also travel around different parts of regional parts of New South Wales.
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The feeling that we have here in Bondi, it's people feel it.
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You see people mourning, you see the candles on the window sills.
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You you can see it in the community groups in Morissette and surrounding areas.
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That people, whether they're Jewish or not, they are standing with us.
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They are standing with the community.
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The sad thing is that a lot of people are afraid to speak out.
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And perhaps that was one of the reasons why we're seeing so much anti-Semitism, and not just anti-Semitism, but animosity and hatred towards other cultures as well.
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Because not enough people are standing up speaking out.
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Yeah.
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Yeah, and that's what uh that and that's what we've seen is that in the past 10 weeks there has been this incredible time where people of different faiths and backgrounds and organizations and communities have actually flowed through the memorial area genuinely and crying with us and and embracing us and standing as fellow Australians in this tragedy that targeted all of us.
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Because if one of our minority or one of our community groups is attacked, it's an attack against the entire fabric of our Australian society.
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It sure is, it sure is.
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And we have seen that unity, and that's what motivates me now is I don't want to lose that.
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And and the togetherness that we've seen, we've got to continue.
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We've got to move forward, not move on, forget what happened.
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We and we also can't just be stuck in the past as well.
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We have to feel and ingest what happened, but then move forward from this stronger and more united together, because that is how we will ensure that it will never happen again.
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Yeah.
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Is as you said, if we find our voices.
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And one of the messages that I gave, especially around uh the National Day of Mourning, you know, people were asking me, you know, what can we do?
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What can we do?
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And so one of the my answers was if you know someone who's Jewish, if you know someone in Bondi, in the broader Bondi community, just pick up your phone and ask them how they're doing.
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But don't be silent, don't stand by the sideline and think, you know what, I don't know what to say.
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I don't want to offend, so I'm not gonna reach out.
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Rather, just reach out.
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And if you are sincere, that will come across.
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If it's from your heart, it will penetrate into the recipient's heart.
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But just let them know that you are with them.
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Let them know that you don't have words, even, that you don't know what to say, but you've thought about them and you're placing that call or seeing them that message.
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Because hate flourishes when it feels that it has space.
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So even if hate is is 5% or even 2%, if the majority are allowing it to rear its head, to shout slogans, to come together and have violent protests, what they're calling out.
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It's like they're adding fertilizer to this.
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Well, they feel, look, we have so much room, everyone's on our side.
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Whereas in reality, not everyone is on their side, but they feel it is, and then one thing leads to another, and then we see the the tragedy sadly take place.
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We've always said, or we've said it a couple of times on the program, that what's worse than bad people doing bad things is good people standing back and not doing anything about it.
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Yeah.
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Yeah.
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Inclusivity is often spoken about abstractively.
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Yet lived inclusivity requires deliberate action and humility.
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From your experience, what does genuine inclusivity look like in action, particularly in a multicultural society like Australia?
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Yeah.
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Well, I think inclusivity, which is often spoken about, um, it's one thing to speak about it, it's another thing to actually believe it and then live it or enact it.
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Uh and I think it comes down from a basic belief to truly have inclusivity.
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You need to look at the other person and see them as an equal.
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You need to see that that the values that you share, that we are all created from the one divine image, and that even though we may be maybe different or even believe different things, still there's that common humanity, there's that oneness from which we we stem.
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And if we can see that in the other person and value who they are for who they are and for what they represent, and be genuinely curious to connect with them, then I think everything that will flow from there will be in that spirit.
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It's about genuinely wanting to form a connection.
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And what I've seen from this moment of December 14 is genuine connection, is people showing up for each other, where what you believe, what the color of your skin, what you're wearing, what your socioeconomic position, none of that matters.
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What matters is that we are sharing a lived experience on this planet where fellow human beings.
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And that is what is most important.
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So I think if we can come and treat each other and look at each other from that perspective, that we're all equals in this earth, and how can we learn from genuinely learn from each other and inspire each other, then whatever flows from there will be inclusive.
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Well, the one word that comes to mind is respect.
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You know, it all really begins with respect.
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Yeah.
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Yeah.
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Well, I think respecting is the first step.
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The next step is to actually form a connection.
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So when you respect, you can respect someone from afar.
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But then will you go the next step and actually reach out to that person in a spirit of respect and forge a connection either through word or through deed?
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Or the power of showing up.
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Because this is really what it's all about showing up and not just letting words speak.
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Well well, they were able to then go from respect, which can happen from afar.
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It's one thing to feel it from a couch in your home, to actually making the effort to show up and forge that connection.
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Being there, to shed a tear, to connect with what happened, with the victims, with the moment, and then to be able to reach out to someone beside you and actually say, We're here together with you.
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Well, we've seen that in in many crises, people remember less what was said and more who stood beside them.
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We've seen that.
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We've seen the people who talk and the people who actually do.
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How important is a simple act of showing up?
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And why do you think that matters so much more in community leadership?
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Yeah, well, you know, sadly as a rabbi, one of the things that I'm often called to do is funerals and end of life and run prayer services after the funeral, like I did last night.
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And one of the messages I'll often give people, because a lot of people will will show up to a funeral or to the home and not know what to say.
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I mean, what can you say when a loved one has been taken away, has been lost?
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Your words can't possibly bring them back.
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But the greatest statement you can make is actually nonverbal.
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It's in the fact that you are showing up, that you are there, and that if they need you for anything, that you're there to listen and to be by their side.
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And so I think that is the greatest statement.
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And in Judaism, we believe that some of the greatest again impact that we can make is through action.
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It's not through words.
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Words are great, they can fire, they can fire up a movement.
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But at the end of the day, that's wonderful, but without action, nothing will happen.
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And so the most important thing is to show up, is to be there.
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And that's what we have seen since December 14.
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We have seen people show up from not just across Sydney, but from regional communities.
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From all across Australia, people have shown up, and they're still showing up now.
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Every single memorial service I hold, someone will come over to me before and after, introduce themselves, and say, this is where we've traveled from to be here today.
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Regularly, there are people who are keep who keep showing up for us, for the broader Bondi community.
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And they come from all over Australia and even internationally.
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People are still coming.
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And you're still going to Bondi and you're still greeting those people to this day.
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Well, I'm really just responding to the presence on the ground.
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And I've always I've told myself that while whilst the people are still coming and in need of that support and that connection, I'm here to facilitate that, to provide an event, or to speak to people who may want to connect with others, or even just connect with what happened.
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So I I told myself, as long as people are coming, I'll also be there.
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Yeah, and you have been.
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And um and every now and then people are posting photos with you and uh sharing a lot of the information, a lot of good wisdom.
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You know, we're seeing people from all across the state, including the regional communities, um having tighter bonds but fewer formal resources.
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Unfortunately, people who live afar don't have the resources that say some of the major cities might have.
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What lessons from your work in Metropolitan Sydney could be meaningful for regional towns across Australia?
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So what I feel, you know, can be applied from the work that I'm doing here on the ground is that just because you can't get somewhere physically, or maybe a challenge, doesn't mean that you can't be involved somehow and show your support or have that connection.
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Okay, so obviously the most powerful connection is is being there in the flesh.
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But there are so many other ways.
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You can keep sharing the stories.
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Um share the share the names of the heroes that we lost.
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I call them heroes, not victims.
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Many of them, you know, they represented the best of Australia.
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So many of them were not running away, but running towards to save others.
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Yeah.
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True heroes, true wonderful Australian stories, not only in how they lived their lives, but in how they lost their lives.
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So you can share their stories.
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You can pick up the phone or send a text message or become part of a movement of light.
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Uh, I mean, to me, what's been most inspiring is how particularly the Jewish community have responded to this tragedy.
00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:28.559
They've responded not by calling out in vengeance um or calling for retaliation against anyone, but they've been calling out to form a revolution of light.
00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:28.799
Yeah.
00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:32.240
And the message has been do a good deed for your neighbor.
00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:34.079
Um fulfill the mitzvah.
00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.119
Yeah, mitzvah.
00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:38.480
There's actually a national campaign called One Mitzvah for Bondi.
00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:38.720
Yeah.
00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:43.839
And there's a website I was on there the other day looking through some of the things people are posting on there, posting their good deeds that they've got to be.
00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:45.759
It's pretty incredible, isn't it, when you think about it.
00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.720
It's amazing.
00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:52.559
But I think it's based on the idea that where your focus goes, what you focus on in life becomes your reality.
00:19:52.559 --> 00:20:03.279
And so if we can ensure that everyone around the country is focusing on goodness and doing a good thing for their neighbor, then truly we can oust the darkness, which is what the attackers represented, darkness.
00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:05.039
And we can do that through increasing your light.
00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:17.680
So no matter where you are, you can connect with what's happened, either through finding out the stories, through sharing a message or a tribute, or grassroots level in your community, ensuring that there is no space for hate.
00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:24.640
As we said earlier, hate flourishes when there's a vacuum, when good people don't rise and represent light.
00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:29.039
So in whatever community you are a part of, you can become an ambassador of light.
00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:34.559
You can become a branch of that menorah that they tried to prevent us from lighting at the Hanukkah event.
00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:39.920
The festival of Hanukkah, we light an a nine-branched candle labra called a menorah.
00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:42.160
But we can have offshoots of that menorah.
00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:49.200
Every regional community can become a branch of light, and then darkness will have no space to flourish.
00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:55.519
We have seen from these recent events that Australia's strength lies in its diversity.
00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:58.480
Yet misunderstanding can easily arise.
00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:00.079
And we've seen that too.
00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:05.200
What have you learnt about building trust across religious and cultural lines?
00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:32.400
What we've seen since the December tragedy on the ground in terms of showing across cultures and challenges or opportunities that may arise, what we've seen has been incredible unity, where it hasn't actually made a difference what background, affiliation, political leaning, faith group you're a part of, people were showing up together as one humanity.
00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:48.880
And again, I believe if that's how you present yourself as just a good human being who cares about others with empathy, then the connections will be forged and would and and diversity will actually work.
00:21:48.880 --> 00:21:56.720
Because it's not about the words, it's not just about saying the right things that we believe in diversity and and you're equal and we're equal.
00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:59.440
It's not it's actually showing up for each other.
00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:03.440
And genuinely feeling it and believing it.
00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:07.680
And whenever that's been the spirit, diversity and multiculturalism has worked.
00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:08.000
Yeah.
00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:09.359
We've supported one another.
00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:12.480
We've and sadly it's been triggered by crises.
00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:24.000
Sadly in life, often we're reminded of what really matters when there's a crisis, when people, citizens, neighbors that we care about are taken away from us, in this case savagely.
00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.680
It reminds us of what truly matters.
00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:39.440
I mean, I've I've had families tell me that even on a family level, parents say that they're now spending more time with their own children, that they're trying to bring to fruition a dream that they've had that they were perhaps lacked some courage to bring about before.
00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:40.720
But time is precious.
00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:42.960
And time can be taken away from us in any moment.
00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.759
At any time.
00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:47.599
And so it's the common humanity and it's these common values that I've been talking about.
00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:52.240
And then and these these common virtues that we share.
00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:58.000
I think sadly, in times of crisis, we're reminded that we only have a few years to inhabit this earth.
00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:01.440
And it's much more beneficial when we are together than when we are not.
00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:10.319
So don't spend it on fighting, don't spend it on disagreement and focusing on differences, but rather let's spend it uh focusing on what brings us together, what unites us.
00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:13.599
Because there's far more that unites us than actually that divides us.
00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:14.000
Yeah.
00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:15.839
And it's a it's a it's a wake-up call.
00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:21.680
It's a wake-up call for people who don't take time to slow down and appreciate what they have.
00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.240
Yeah.
00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.559
Yeah.
00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:26.960
And what they perhaps lost as well along the way.
00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.839
Yeah.
00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:32.880
Look, we've seen the media cycles dominated by negativity, and we see that a lot.
00:23:32.880 --> 00:23:35.359
Hopeful stories often go untold.
00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:39.839
We see so many good people doing great things, and that just gets ignored.
00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:42.400
It's hijacked by the negativity.
00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:47.920
Can you share a heartwarming story from your work that captures the very best of humanity?
00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:53.200
Well, I mean, I've seen that at the memorial gatherings, I've seen people come from all across town.
00:23:53.200 --> 00:24:01.519
There's a Christian woman, a beautiful woman who who comes every single day, and she travels two hours each way just to come to Bondi.
00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:04.000
And she comes when there aren't gatherings.
00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:06.240
She comes to just observe.
00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:09.200
She comes to speak with anyone else who comes throughout the day.
00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:14.240
She comes there to connect with what happened and with the community and to give them a message that they are not alone.
00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:19.839
And at a Friday afternoon pre-Sabbath service that I ran, we had a couple come from Cairns.
00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:25.200
And the husband is an Indigenous man, and he said, I'm here to represent my indigenous community.
00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:32.880
I've come from Cairns because I would love to sing an Israeli song and show my support and solidarity to the Jewish community.
00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:36.640
And he got up there and he sang Eden Golan's October Rain.
00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.839
And he sang it himself.
00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:46.000
And it was just such a beautiful, heartwarming moment of different communities coming together, but with one shared humanity, with one heart.
00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:58.720
And I think that is the sadly the opportunity of this time is that whilst people are still feeling the tragedy and the immensity of it, because it it it it can't just go away in a few weeks.
00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:02.480
There's a journey towards healing that will take a long time.
00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:05.599
And indeed we must be changed by what happened.
00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:08.319
A wake-up call, as you said before.
00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:19.599
But we have seen people like this couple and like many others, the best of humanity, who have come together as one to express their solidarity and to show up during these difficult times.
00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:23.519
Yeah, and during these difficult times, we've seen a lot of heroes.
00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.799
A lot of heroes.
00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:28.000
And may I add, not all heroes wear uniforms.
00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:31.200
Many quietly influence lives without recognition.
00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:40.000
In your view, what makes someone an everyday hero, and how can ordinary Australians recognize that capacity within themselves?
00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:44.160
So talking about heroes, what makes a hero, I'll actually share with you a story.
00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:47.839
A story about two Uber drivers, two heroes.
00:25:47.839 --> 00:26:04.880
One I met about four weeks after the tragedy, and uh he came, he was picking up a passenger, and he recalled to me and he shared how the boot of his car popped open, uh, the luggage went in, and all of a sudden no one got into his car and he saw them run off.
00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:06.400
He's like, That's strange.
00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:08.319
No one's ever dumped their luggage in my car and run off.
00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:08.880
What's going on?
00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:14.319
He he jumped out and he heard sounds, the popping, and he looked up and he he saw the whole thing unfold.
00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:18.880
And he waited till it was over, and then he went into the park.
00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:27.920
He was one of the first to help people, and he spent the next four and a half hours in the park assisting the first responders in any way that he could, saving lives, actively saving lives.
00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:33.119
He estimates he treated between 15 to 20 people in those four and a half hours that he was there in the park.
00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:33.519
Wow.
00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:38.799
And he came to pick up a passenger as an Uber driver, and he was a hero, a remarkable hero.
00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:43.119
And then only a few weeks ago, I met another Uber driver.
00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:53.039
By chance, I was sitting at a cafe trying to do some work, and behind me, someone said the words, I was shot in Bondi.
00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:55.839
I turned around, I said, Excuse me, can you take a seat?
00:26:55.839 --> 00:26:58.960
Please, if you don't mind, share share with me your story.
00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:04.000
And uh he's uh a Christian man, Greek background.
00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:07.519
Okay, the first Uber driver is a Muslim man from Indian background.
00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:14.640
But this Uber driver, Christian, Greek background, and he said that he had dropped off a passenger as well, a few blocks away.
00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:23.279
But then he came, he drove towards the park because he he loves to bring his grandson to that park, and he wanted to record a little video that he could send to his grandson, look where I am.
00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:26.960
I'm in front of our favorite park in Bondi by the bridge.
00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:34.480
And as he was recording, all of a sudden he heard pop, pop, pop, and he turns around and he sees everyone starting to run.
00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:38.640
He sees people fall hit by bullets, and he's stuck.
00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:46.319
He just can't believe what's happening until he feels something go through his hair and it grazes his scalp.
00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:49.440
A bullet went through his hair, grazed his scalp.
00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:52.079
And at that point he realized, okay, this is actually happening.
00:27:52.079 --> 00:28:02.319
He jumps back in his car and he ducks while he uses his rear, you know, his rear camera and he just flies, he reverses, he flies out of there, goes back onto the main road and just drives away.
00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:06.160
And he called his brother, he said, You're not gonna believe what happened to me, what happened down in Bondi.
00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:09.599
And his brother listens and says, You know, you've got to call Uber, let them know.
00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:14.720
So he as he's driving away, he calls Uber, he alerts him to what's happening.
00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:24.480
But then he had this tremendous guilt, and he's showing with me the guilt that he felt that he's obviously heard incredible stories of people who were there and who helped out, and he really just drove away.
00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:27.680
And he's just felt really guilty about it for a number of weeks.
00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:34.880
And then he opens up his bank account one day, checking a few transactions, and he sees that Uber has put in an amount into his bank account.
00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:36.960
And he's like, What's this about?
00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:39.200
I haven't driven Uber in a few weeks now.
00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:45.839
And he calls up the company and they inform him that he's being awarded for his bravery on December 14th.
00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:47.759
And he said, But I wasn't brave.
00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.559
What do you mean?
00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:49.119
I ran away.
00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:49.920
I drove away.
00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:52.480
He said, Well, actually, no, you made a phone call to Uber.
00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:52.640
Why?
00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:56.400
Because of that phone call, we were able to divert all of our other drivers away.
00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:58.400
Because of that one phone call, you saved lives.
00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.920
And you diverted people away from the tragedy.
00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:02.240
See, that's not the sort of story most people hear in.
00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:05.359
So these are two stories, two Uber drivers both saved lives.
00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:11.440
One ran into the fire, into the chaos, another one protected from the periphery, from the outside.
00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:12.640
Both are heroes.
00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:15.279
And so courage doesn't always show up in the same way.
00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:20.640
Often we think about heroes that they're riding horses and they're running into the gunfire.
00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:24.079
And yes, perhaps another person in that scenario may be a hero.
00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:25.839
But they're everyone is different.
00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:28.799
And everyone reacts differently in the moment and to different situations.
00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:34.319
Doesn't mean you're not a hero because you don't act in a way that you think maybe you ought to have acted.
00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:44.640
And part of the sad thing that I've seen is I've seen people who are who are actually in the fire, running in the bullets, who also feel guilty, that they didn't do more.
00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:50.400
And sadly, there's so much guilt from those, you know, you mentioned before that you've been there every year, and this you did everyone.
00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.279
Same with me.
00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:55.839
You know, that was the only year because I did fire and rescue, retained firefighter.
00:29:55.839 --> 00:30:00.640
And it just so happened that that day I was I was on call.
00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:03.519
And I must have had the dates mixed up.
00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:07.920
And so I couldn't take myself off because I would have let the team down, the crew.
00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:10.640
So it was the first year that I didn't go.
00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:13.519
You know, I'd normally go there, present, speak.
00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:17.279
Sometimes I'd speak on behalf of the Russian-speaking community.
00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:22.240
Other times I'd have MPs ask me to read out a couple of things when I was on council.
00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:27.839
But every year, you know, I always made it a priority to go every year.
00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:30.000
Yeah, this is the one time I didn't go.
00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:30.319
Yeah.
00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.440
I felt guilty as well.
00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.960
And thank God you weren't there.
00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.079
And yes, you felt guilty.
00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:40.319
And I felt guilty, and so many others, there's so much guilt by those who weren't there, those who could have been there, those who actually were there.
00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:43.200
And again, courage shows up in different ways.
00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:50.720
You know, had you been there, perhaps you wouldn't be doing the work that you're doing now because you'd be facing your own even more severe traumas had you been there.
00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:56.799
That's what someone, a counselor, actually told me in response to what I was feeling on the actual night itself.
00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:58.799
I was up the road at a different Hanukkah party.
00:30:58.799 --> 00:31:05.920
We had our own traumas from that party and having to hit the floor and and flee, not knowing if there were shooters, if they were on their way.
00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:10.400
But you know, we're we're all where we were supposed to be on the night.
00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:13.039
You know, divinely placed where we were.
00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:17.200
That's the reality of where we were placed on that night.
00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:20.400
Or and we can be courageous now.
00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:22.240
I was doing an ambulance assist.
00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.680
Yeah, yeah.
00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:32.319
And you know, and and there's still work to be done now.
00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:34.079
And courage can show up now.
00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:40.480
It doesn't make a difference what you've done, how much or how little you feel you may or may not may not have done.
00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:41.839
Now is your moment.
00:31:41.839 --> 00:31:47.039
Now is the moment to reach out to someone, to make that connection that we've been talking about, to help in the process of healing.
00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:57.519
And I want to add as well, I mean, looking forward, there was a time period when I was doing a number of visual services daily, uh, up to 12 a day on the hour.
00:31:57.519 --> 00:32:01.839
That's obviously now as the weeks have gone by, I'm now doing two a week.
00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:06.400
But then as as of next month, that number may change as to how many we we offer.
00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:08.400
And again, it's responding to the people on the ground.
00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:21.680
But I I see it as still it's an opportunity to heal together and to create opportunities where people of different backgrounds, faiths, communities can still come together and share a meal, or come together to remember, but to move forward, maybe through music.
00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:40.400
There are lots of different avenues that we can still come together and perhaps shine the light from Bond Eye, but really wherever we are, to join this movement of people who are not forgetting and who are committed to bringing that light that we're speaking about, remembering and building from this to make sure that Australia becomes brighter and greater than ever.
00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:42.400
Well, Rabbi, you are in demand.
00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:44.480
You're living up to your name.
00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:57.680
Now, before I let you go, your words have the ability to reach beyond just one community and into homes all across Australia, which is what we hope that a lot of people do get to hear this.
00:32:57.680 --> 00:33:11.279
So if someone, let's just say in regional Victoria, rural New South Wales, or remote Queensland is listening right now, what is the one principle you would encourage them to adopt in their own community?
00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:14.720
I would encourage them to share it.
00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:16.720
Share with others.
00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:18.799
What is it that inspires you?
00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:24.880
Do you have a message of light, of unity, and of connection that you can bring and share with someone else?
00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:27.920
Because we must be changed from this Bondi tragedy.
00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:31.039
What happened, the worst terrorist attack on Australian soil.
00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:39.519
And if we stay silent, then we allow the forces of darkness to have room and to breed and to grow and possibly for this to happen again.
00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:43.680
The words never again must not just be a slogan, they must be lived.
00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:52.400
And they are lived when we connect with one another, when we link arms, and when we build together a better society, focusing on light.
00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:54.799
What is the good that we can bring to each other?
00:33:54.799 --> 00:34:00.319
How can we encourage a spirit where we don't just talk about diversity and multiculturalism, but we actually live it.
00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:05.039
If you see someone who looks different to you, a different faith, a different culture, introduce yourself.
00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:06.799
Perhaps go out for coffee.
00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:10.960
But let's actually learn from each other because you'll be surprised.
00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:17.679
When you reach out to someone, you may actually walk away more inspired than you than you thought possibly could have happened.
00:34:17.679 --> 00:34:23.679
So let's perhaps take that first step, have the initiative, say a kind word, and let's build those bridges together.
00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:33.440
Great conversations and building bridges, checking in on neighbours and talking to strangers because after all, strangers are just friends waiting to happen.
00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:34.239
Absolutely.
00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:41.920
So before I finally let you go, uh if someone wanted to get in contact with you, what is the best way for them to do that?
00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:50.639
So people can be in touch with me personally either through my Instagram, rabbi underscoreyoss, y-o-s-s or through my website, rabbiondemand.com.au.
00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:57.039
I will have those in the show notes, but I just once again wanted to reiterate and say thank you so much, Rabbi.
00:34:57.039 --> 00:35:13.519
I know you're very, very busy, and I feel honored and privileged that we can sit down together and share these painful but yet inspiring stories with the rest of our beautiful country and our community.
00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:14.000
Yep.
00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:14.960
Well thank you, Leon.
00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:17.119
You're a good mate and keep up your great work too.
00:35:18.079 --> 00:35:23.039
Now that was a conversation I genuinely valued and I hope you did too.
00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:34.559
Because spending time with Rabbi Yossi Friedman was a reminder that during difficult times there are still good people quietly bringing light, compassion and connection into their communities.
00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:40.719
But what stood out for me most was that this conversation wasn't really about religion alone.
00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:52.239
It was about humanity, about showing up for one another and recognising that kindness, courage, and genuine care for others that transcends cultures, background, and belief.
00:35:52.239 --> 00:36:08.079
And in a world where negativity and division often dominate the headlines, the story shared in this episode reminded us that there are still extraordinary everyday Australians choosing unity, compassion, and action where it matters most.
00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:19.119
A big thank you to Yossi once more for sharing his wisdom so openly and for the great work he continues to do, supporting people from all walks of life with humility and heart.
00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:26.239
And sincerely thank you to all the supporters, past guests, and especially our amazing listeners.
00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:33.360
Your support genuinely means a lot, and it's because of you these conversations continue to reach communities across Australia.
00:36:33.360 --> 00:36:39.519
Now, next week marks a massive milestone for engaging conversations as we release our 50th episode.
00:36:39.519 --> 00:36:44.079
Fittingly, our guests will be Maria and Scott from Survivors are Us.
00:36:44.079 --> 00:37:00.159
Maria was actually our very first guest on the program, and since then, Survivors are Us has gone on to securing a $2.8 million federal grant, helping support more people experiencing hardship while continuing to inspire and unite communities across Australia.
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I also encourage people to look into the New South Wales government initiative One Mitzvah for Bondi, encouraging simple acts of kindness and community spirit in response to tragedy.
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The link will be provided in the show notes.
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So if you haven't already, please follow the program, share it with someone who may benefit, and stay connected.
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I'm Leon Goltsman.
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Until next time, stay connected, stay compassionate, and let's keep building stronger communities together.