One of the world's most senior Jewish leaders has praised community resolve following the Bondi massacre, saying it's shown him what real courage looks like.
Chief Rabbi to the UK and to the Commonwealth Sir Ephraim Mirvis travelled from London to Sydney to offer his support to those affected by Sunday's terror attack, where 15 people were killed.
"I came to Sydney to offer some encouragement to a community in mourning," he told AAP before attending the Sabbath service at the Great Synagogue of Sydney on Friday evening.
"Instead, they have taught me what courage truly looks like."
Sir Ephraim landed in Sydney on Thursday and will join leaders of Australia's Jewish community in the first Shabbat, also known as Sabbath, since the deadly terror attack.
"Where there might have been despair, I've found resolve. Where there might have been hatred, I've found hope," he said.
A total of 55 people were shot in the December 14 attack targeting a Hanukkah celebration.
Fifteen did not survive a scene of horror that has reverberated across the world.
But Sir Ephraim said despite the targeted attack, the Jewish community had adopted a unique resolve.
"This is not a community asking, 'why us?' This is a community asking, 'what now?'" he said.
"And their answer has been extraordinary: this Chanukah, they are turning the darkness of their grief into a light that illuminates the whole world."
Chief of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Michele Goldman said this Friday's Shabbat - a traditional day of rest - "will be unlike any other".
"We are entering the first Shabbat since this unspeakable tragedy," she said.
"Across our community, Jewish families will gather around tables with too many empty seats.
"We will feel the weight of loss deeply, and we will grieve together in quiet reflection.
"This Shabbat is a time for mourning as well as for strength. We will honour those who have been taken from us and draw comfort from the solidarity of our community and the broader Australian public."
Australia's most famous beach was flooded with hundreds of surfers and beachgoers on Friday, all paying tribute to those killed.
A national day of mourning has also been declared for Sunday and a formal, public service for victims and survivors will follow suit in the new year.
