Responding Together: Cultural competency guide for mental health professionals working with Chabad and other Jewish clients

On 14 December 2025, the eve of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, Australia suffered its deadliest terror attack. The attack occurred at ‘Chanukah by the Sea’, an annual celebration of the Jewish Festival of Lights organised by Chabad of Bondi. In the immediate aftermath, Jewish mental health professionals supported the New South Wales Government’s disaster response, providing care for community members who were present during the attack. However, the aftermath also exposed the need for culturally informed guidance to support mental health professionals working with Jewish community members. In particular, cultural competence resources addressing specific segments of the Jewish community, such as Chabad and other observant Jews, remain limited. The contributors to this guide draw on backgrounds in psychology, sociology, chaplaincy, pastoral care, and Jewish thought, as well as on their intimate knowledge of the Sydney Chabad community. The guidance provided is intended to support mental health professionals to deliver care that is culturally attuned and responsive.