Sydney memorial ceremony: Ben Karsou to host alongside 7-year-old whose sister was murdered in terror attack

Ben Karsou will host the main memorial ceremony marking October 7 in Sydney, alongside Summer, a 7-year-old whose sister Matilda was murdered in the Bondi Beach stabbing attack. The invitation came following an advocacy tour he conducted in Australia. Meanwhile, memorial pins in memory of Matilda have arrived in Israel at the family's request.

Ben Karsou has been invited to host the main ceremony marking October 7 in Sydney, Australia. Alongside him will host Summer, a 7-year-old girl whose sister Matilda was murdered in the Bondi Beach stabbing attack. The decision to invite Karsou was made following an extensive advocacy tour he conducted in Australia last March, during which he met with thousands of Jewish teenagers dealing with a wave of antisemitism. The meetings left a deep impression on the local community, which approached him asking him to return and lead the memorial event. Karsou sees the inclusion of young Summer in the hosting as an emphasis on the connection between the terror targeting Jews in Israel and antisemitism worldwide. Ahead of the ceremony, Matilda's parents approached Karsou with a personal request to help commemorate their daughter. The connection between the family and Karsou began during his previous visit, when Matilda's father, Michael, gave him a special memorial pin. Since then, Karsou wears the pin in every media appearance. Now, memorial pins in memory of Matilda have arrived in Israel at the family's request, to ensure her memory is not forgotten.