A defiant Jewish community has called for solidarity to honour the 15 people killed in the Bondi massacre, as thousands gathered just metres from where the massacre unfolded.

Sunday night’s memorial was watched over by a heavy police presence, including snipers on rooftops and police boats in the waters.

One week earlier, Chaya Dadon had found a hiding spot under a bench as a torrent of bullets rained over her, but she put her life on the line to help other children to safety.

Dadon was shot in the leg as she shielded two children with her body.

On Sunday, the 14-year-old took to the stage at Bondi to tell crowds she had been divinely guided.

The event was overseen by a heavy police presence including snipers on rooftops. Photo: AAP

“All the [Jewish] learning led to this moment. In that moment, I was like ‘this is it – be that light’,” she said as those gathered saluted her bravery.

“We’re getting stronger as a nation, and we’re growing and sometimes growing hurts, but life is going to move on, and why not make the best of it?”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, his predecessors John Howard and Scott Morrison, NSW Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane and Governor-General Sam Mostyn were among the dignitaries at Sunday’s commemoration, part of a national day of reflection.

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman addresses the large crowd. Photo: AAP

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, whose son-in-law rabbi Eli Schlanger was killed in the shooting, implored Australians to do good following of the tragedy.

“I stand here tonight to say loud and clear that darkness does not get the final word. Light will win,” he said.

“Sydney can and must become a beacon of goodness, a city where people look after one another, where kindness is louder than hate, where decency is stronger than fear.”

Police snipers on the roof of a Bondi apartment building as vigil is held. Photo: AAP

Gold medal-winning Olympic canoeist Jessica Fox also addressed the crowd, saying the beach had become a site of “unimaginable loss”. She introduced first responders lighting eight candles of the menorah.

Fox paid tribute to Ahmed Al Ahmed, the bystander who stripped one of the gunmen of his long rifle, preventing more casualties, as his father lit one of the candles.

A performance of Waltzing Matilda was dedicated to 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of the fatal shooting. It had thousands singing in unison before groups of rabbis held each other as they recited Hebrew songs while rain fell.

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—with AAP