The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov

20/06/2026

Gerald lives in Victoria. Although he isn’t Jewish, he has become a passionate advocate for the Jewish people.

He regularly writes letters to newspapers in support of the Jewish community, and many of them have been published.

“I don’t understand what’s happening in the world,” he told us, “but I’m doing my best to fight the good fight.”

I shared with him the words of our sages:

“It is not your responsibility to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”

Gerald’s actions are a living example of this timeless teaching. One person, consistently choosing to speak up, can make a real difference.

Every letter written, every voice raised, and every act of support helps push back against hatred and brings a little more light into the world.

Thank you, Gerald. Your friendship and support mean more than you know.

Noach Koncepolski

18/06/2026

“What do you say to non-Jewish people?”

Alex stopped by the Mitzvah House and asked me a simple but powerful question:

“What can someone like me do?”

I told him that making the world a better place doesn’t belong to one religion or one people. Every act of kindness matters.

Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.

Help a neighbour.

Reach out to someone who is lonely.

Do one extra good deed.

Because every bit of light counts.

The Mitzvah House is visited by people from all walks of life, and one message we share with everyone is this:

You don’t have to be Jewish to make a difference. You just have to care.

One good deed can change a day. A lifetime of good deeds can change the world.

Noach Koncepolski

17/06/2026

When Simone approached the Mitzvah House and introduced herself, saying she had travelled that morning from Campbelltown, I thanked her for making the effort and for her care. But as she continued sharing her story, Simone's incredible humanity became even more apparent.

In her words:

"I live in Campbelltown. I haven't been to Bondi Beach for 26 years.

The last time I was at Bondi was for the Year 2000 fireworks and never came back. Bondi is not for me.

This morning I used one of my sick days from work and travelled 1 hour and 40 minutes through traffic to come back to Bondi for the first time in 26 years just to pay my respects."

Coming back after 26 years, taking a day off work, and travelling 1 hour and 40 minutes through Sydney traffic just to pay respects to people she had never met, what can I say?

I was deeply moved.

The memorial has welcomed thousands of visitors, but every so often someone arrives whose story reminds us why this place matters. Simone's journey was not about Bondi Beach. It was not about the weather or the scenery. It was about one human being caring enough about another.

She did not come because she had to. She came because she cared.

Sometimes the greatest acts are not measured in money, public recognition, or grand gestures. They are measured in the willingness to inconvenience ourselves for another person. Simone used one of her own sick days, spent hours travelling, and returned to a place she had deliberately avoided for more than a quarter of a century, simply to honour the memory of others.

Her visit was a quiet but powerful act of solidarity. A reminder that even in the aftermath of hatred and violence, goodness continues to travel great distances. The tragedy touched not only those directly affected, but also countless ordinary Australians whose hearts were moved to stand with others in their pain.

Thank you, Simone. You may have come to honour others, but your actions inspired all of us.

Noach Koncepolski

16/06/2026

🚨 Due to the sensitivity of this situation and the age of those involved, no photo was taken. 🚨

I’m not even sure if this story should be shared, but it left a deep impression on all of us.

A shy, non-Jewish 14-year-old boy stood patiently near the Mitzvah House kiosk. He looked worried, almost distressed.

When he finally approached, he struggled to get his words out.

“I’ve said some really bad things to a peer that I regret…”

And then he broke down in tears.

He explained that he attends a public school where anti-Jewish and anti-Israel slurs are often thrown around. Like many others, he joined in.

But this morning something changed.

He woke up with the realisation that what he had said was wrong.

On his own initiative, he made his way to the Mitzvah House not to justify himself, but to reflect, seek guidance, and speak to Jewish people directly.

A woman from the Jewish community noticed how upset he was. Without hesitation, her motherly instincts kicked in. She gave him a hug and reassured him: “It’s okay. You did the right thing by coming here.”

The young man expressed genuine remorse and a sincere understanding of the hurt he had caused.

We encouraged him not only to apologise to his peer, but to tell him: “Actually, I stand with you”and to do so in the presence of a teacher or trusted adult.

This young man said things he deeply regrets. But he also did something remarkable: he took responsibility, reflected on his actions, and chose a different path.

In Judaism, we call that Teshuvah.

Sometimes change begins with a conversation.

And sometimes, it begins with a 14-year-old boy finding the courage to say, “I was wrong.”

Natan Hõrák

15/06/2026

While the bochurim were busy printing Tanya at the Mitzvah House, I had the privilege of helping visitors put on Tefillin and recite the blessing.

It struck me how special the moment was. In one part of the Mitzvah House Torah was being printed and prepared to be shared. In another, Jews were connecting to that same Torah through the mitzvah of Tefillin.

A beautiful reminder that Judaism is not only something we learn it’s something we live.

One mitzvah at a time, one person at a time.

Noach Koncepolski

14/06/2026

Yesterday was an incredibly moving day at The Mitzvah House - Ohel Eli & Yaakov.

Six months after the Bondi tragedy, we gathered together to remember, reflect and honour the lives of those who were taken from us.

Over 500 people joined us throughout the day to mark the six months anniversary!

Throughout the day, community members joined us for learning, inspiration and connection. We were privileged to hear from a number of esteemed rabbis and rebbetzins who shared words of Torah, faith and strength.

As part of the day, we also printed the Tanya, a special Chabad tradition that has taken place in Jewish communities around the world, bringing light and holiness to places in need of it.

Six months later, the pain remains, but so does our commitment to add more goodness, kindness and unity in memory of those we lost.

May their memories continue to inspire us to bring more light into the world Noach Koncepolski Natan Hõrák

14/06/2026

14/06/2026

Today at the Mitzvah House, we were honoured to welcome Rabbi Ullman, who shared words of strength, faith and inspiration with those gathered.

The Bondi tragedy deeply impacted Rabbi Ullman’s community, and on a personal level, he suffered the heartbreaking loss of his son-in-law, Rabbi Eli

Despite carrying his own pain, Rabbi Ullman continues to be a source of comfort and guidance for others. His words reminded us of the power of unity, resilience and the importance of turning darkness into light through acts of kindness and Torah.

Thank you, Rabbi Ullman, for joining us and for being a pillar of strength for so many.

Chabad Bondi Noach Koncepolski

14/06/2026

Fifteen lives were taken.

Today, we honour each of them with 15 sessions of learning, inspiration and reflection.

Join us as we transform remembrance into action, memory into meaning, and loss into light.

Come for one session or stay for many.

Together, we remember.

13/06/2026

Six months ago today, Bondi was shaken by a tragedy that touched every corner of our community.

The pain, shock and heartbreak of that day are still felt by so many.

In the months that followed, something remarkable happened. People from all walks of life came together. They came to remember, to pray, to reflect, and to do something positive in memory of those who were taken from us.

Over the past six months, the Mitzvah House has welcomed thousands of visitor’s who have put on Tefillin, lit Shabbat candles, said a prayer, shared a story, or simply paused for a moment of reflection.

Every mitzvah, every act of kindness, every conversation has been a reminder that while evil can take a life, it can never extinguish the light that a person leaves behind.

Today we remember the victims of the Bondi attack. We remember their families. And we recommit ourselves to bringing more light, more kindness and more unity into the world.

Six months later, remembered and not forgotten.

Noach Koncepolski Natan Hõrák