Bondi One Year On: Reclaiming Our Humanity
Description
Just under a year ago 15 people were gunned down and killed and many more injured in a horrendous terror attack at Bondi that shook the nation. As the anniversary approaches — and days before the Royal Commission hands down its findings — The Jewish Independent invites you to pause, reflect, and look forward together.
This is more than a moment of remembrance. It's a chance to ask hard questions about who we've become as a society since that day, and who we choose to be next.
Join us for a panel discussion exploring:
Days before the Royal Commission's findings are released — what can we do to ensure Jews feel safe in Australia?
Are we closer to social cohesion, or further away?
Can we build a society tolerant enough to hold different views without dehumanising each other — or resorting to violence?
What role does the media play in shaping the current climate?
This interfaith panel includes Dr Jamal Rifi AM, SMH Editor Jordan Baker and Michaela Kalowski who each bring diverse perspectives to this important conversation, moderated by TJI Senior Writer Michael Visontay.
The afternoon will include live music from Nadav Kahn and Jessica Chapnik Kahn.
Security will be present at the event.
Supported by the State Library of NSW.
This event is presented by The Jewish Independent. The State Library of NSW is the venue for this event; however, all content is presented by TJI who should be contacted with any enquiries about the event.
Lineup
Jordan Baker, Editor of the SMH
Jordan Baker has been a journalist for 25 years, working across newspapers, magazines and wire services. She has covered politics, crime and sport for the Herald, and was most recently its chief reporter.
Dr Jamal Rifi AM
Dr Jamal Rifi has been a leading figure in the Australian Muslim community for over 25 years, and has dedicated himself to fighting social injustice, and building bridges between Muslim and other communities. Dr Rifi was a founding member of Muslim Doctors Against Violence and the Christian-Muslim Friendship Society. He is also a long-standing member of the international board of Rozana, the health diplomacy organisation that works across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Michaela Kalowski
Michaela Kalowski is an interviewer, moderator & curator for writers and ideas festivals. Highlight interviews include Margaret Atwood, Zadie Smith & Stan Grant. She was curator of Big Weekend of Books, ABC RN’s annual on-air writers’ festival for five years. Michaela has conducted radio interviews and presented programs across ABC radio & TV. She's co-presenter & co-writer of a two-part podcast for ABC RN, tracing part of her family’s history, called Laya’s Way Home. In 2027 she’s a judge of the Stella Prize. Throughout her work as an interviewer, producer and curator she’s shaped and had conversations about multiculturalism, discrimination, cross-cultural dialogue and civic society.
Michael Visontay
Michael Visontay is Commissioning Editor of TJI, and was Editor-in-Chief from 2017-22. He has worked for 40 years as a journalist, editor, author and lecturer across a broad range of Australian media. Michael is a former Assistant Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, Deputy Editor of the Sun-Herald and columnist with The Australian Jewish News. He has created courses and lectured in journalism programs at several universities. Michael has co-authored four memoirs, including Who Gave You Permission?, the memoir of child sex abuse survivor, Manny Waks. He also wrote Welcome To Wanderland: Western Sydney Wanderers and the Pride of the West.
Nadav Kahn
Nadav Kahn is an Israeli-born, Sydney-based singer-songwriter, producer and multi-disciplinary artist. He has released 12 albums, received an APRA Award for songwriting, composed for film and toured internationally as a solo artist and with a number of bands, as well as working as a cantor and kirtan singer. Alongside his contemporary musical practice, Nadav has spent extensive periods in India, immersing himself in Vedic chant and exploring the transformative power of sound. His Jewish heritage is another deep thread in his work, through Kabbalah, Hebrew prayer and ancient melodies, which he continues to explore through his music and songwriting. Most recently, Nadav created and performed Hineinu for the Sydney Jewish Writers Festival, bringing together songs that speak to the times we’re living through, alongside spoken word, Jewish text, niggunim and reimagined liturgy.
Jessica Chapnik Kahn
Jessica Chapnik Kahn is an Argentinian-Australian writer, singer-songwriter and actor who trained at the Atlantic Theatre Company Acting School in New York. She has performed across stage, television, and film, released two albums under the moniker Appleonia, and earned an ARIA award nomination. As a writer, Jessica is the author of the poetry collection MADRE, the children’s book Lenny and the Ants, and co-author of A Repurposed Life, which was longlisted for an ABIA Award. In 2025, she was a featured speaker and performer at TEDxSydney, and her collaborative work The Fire Always Says Yes had its world premiere at the Sydney Opera House.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
