On Yom Kippur, the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney passed a motion urging Anglicans to oppose antisemitism and to pray for Jewish neighbours after the Bondi terror attack.
The motion was moved by the Rev Andrew Bruce and was timed symbolically on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.
Synod encouraged all Sydney Anglicans to guard against any form of racism in their personal lives and churches.
At the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney delegates adopted a motion rejecting antisemitism and calling for prayer for "our Jewish neighbours" in the aftermath of the Bondi terror attack. The motion was moved by the Rev Andrew Bruce.
Synod debated and passed the motion on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. The timing was described in reports as symbolic: the Synod was intentionally moved on that day when Jewish communities observe repentance and communal prayer.
Diocese to a practical response. The motion encouraged every Sydney Anglican to guard against racism in their own lives and in their churches, and to offer prayer for Jewish neighbours affected by violence and hatred.
Local trigger: the Bondi terror attack
The motion was made in direct response to the Bondi terror attack. Synod framed its statement as a pastoral and civic response: acknowledging harm done to Jewish people locally, and directing diocesan members to respond through prayer and vigilance against racist attitudes.
Practical implications for parishes
The Synod motion asks parishes and individuals to take three straightforward steps:
The Synod motion sits alongside other recent local and international discussions about antisemitism, interfaith relations, and communal safety. Coverage notes similar themes in related pieces about Jewish–Christian dialogue and remembrance events in recent weeks.
Actions to expect after the Synod decision include parish-level prayers or liturgies, local outreach to Jewish community leaders, and possible diocesan resources or guidance on preventing racism in congregations. The resolution creates a diocesan expectation that clergy and lay leaders will take these steps seriously.
Synod made a clear public statement condemning antisemitism, linking its action to Yom Kippur to underline its pastoral intent, and asked Anglicans across the diocese to pray for Jewish neighbours and to guard against racism in church life.
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