Thalia mourned at Beth Rivkah
THE devastation was palpable as hundreds of mourners gathered outside Beth Rivkah Ladies College on Wednesday morning where the funeral procession for Thalia Hakin stopped for a short service on the way to Lyndhurst Cemetery.
THE devastation was palpable as hundreds of mourners gathered outside Beth Rivkah Ladies College on Wednesday morning where the funeral procession for Thalia Hakin stopped for a short service on the way to Lyndhurst Cemetery.
The crowd comprised students, staff, parents, and members of the community, all of whom were touched by Friday’s tragedy and wished to pay their respects. Many comforted one another, and many cried.
The college’s Rabbi Yisroel Sufrin recited prayers at the opening of the service, before principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler delivered an address.
Seated in the front was Thalia’s family, including her father Tony, and nine-year-old sister Maggie, who had come out of hospital to be at her sister’s funeral. The young girl’s presence, in a wheelchair and with her leg in a cast, visibly touched the crowd.
Rabbi Smukler described Maggie as “an inspirational little girl”, as he told of her bravery on Bourke Street on Friday.
“Even though you were hurt and very shaken, you had the strength and common sense to get a hold of your mum’s phone and to call your dad for help,” Rabbi Smukler said.
“Your dad is so proud of you, we are all so proud of you. You are a heroine.”
He noted the absence of Thalia’s mother Nathalie, who is still in hospital, and wished her well, before turning his attention to Thalia.
“Thalia … you were a young girl with a good heart. And a good, positive heart drives away sinat chinam. Drives away baseless hatred,” he said.
“We will think about the lights that you stood for, and commit ourselves to bring the light of extra kindness and inclusion into our lives and the lives of those around us.”
After Rabbi Smukler spoke, the crowd accompanied the procession as it departed down Balaclava Road for the funeral.
Rabbi Smukler told The AJN afterwards that we should all remember that the most help the family will need is when life “returns to normal”, because they will still be left with a void.
Full coverage in this week’s AJN.
PHOEBE ROTH
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