On the evening of December 14, 2025, hundreds gathered at Sydney's Bondi Beach for the annual "Hanukkah by the Sea" celebration. Families came to light the menorah, sing songs, and rejoice in the festival of lights. Instead, the night turned into tragedy when two gunmen opened fire from a footbridge overlooking the crowd, unleashing chaos and terror.
The attackers killed at least 15 people, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a beloved Chabad emissary who had served the Bondi community for 18 years. Dozens more were injured, with some critically wounded. Among the first victims were Boris and Sofia Gurman, a Russian-Jewish couple who bravely tried to wrestle a weapon away from one of the shooters before being fatally shot. Their courage has been hailed as an act of heroism that saved lives.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the massacre as "an act of evil anti-Semitism, terrorism, that has struck the heart of our nation." Officials have since designated the incident as anti-Semitic terrorism, sparking calls for stronger protections for Jewish communities.
In the aftermath, survivors and community leaders gathered at Bondi Pavilion to mourn and pray. Rabbi Alon Meltzer, who lost friends in the attack, led Hebrew prayers of compassion and mercy, reminding mourners of Hanukkah's message of resilience.
Ten-year-old Matilda Britvan, who survived the attack, spoke of her fear but also of her determination to keep celebrating Hanukkah. "We lit the menorah again the next night," her family shared, "because that's what it means to be Jewish—we bring light even when others try to extinguish it."
These stories of courage and faith underscore the essence of Hanukkah: a festival born from defiance against oppression, celebrating the triumph of light over darkness.
That the attack occurred on the first night of Hanukkah is symbolic. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after Jewish resistance fighters, the Maccabees, overcame tyranny. It is a holiday of hope, resilience, and divine miracles. To target Jews during this sacred time was meant to strike at the heart of Jewish identity and faith.
Yet, just as the Maccabees refused to surrender, today's Jewish communities continue to stand strong. Lighting the menorah in the wake of tragedy becomes an act of resistance, a declaration that Jewish life will endure.
The Bondi Beach massacre did not occur in isolation. Jewish leaders have warned of escalating anti-Semitic threats in Australia, including vandalism of synagogues and harassment of Jewish students. Globally, anti-Semitism has surged in the wake of conflicts in the Middle East, with diaspora communities facing intimidation and violence.
The attack was Australia's deadliest terror incident in nearly three decades. It has drawn comparisons to the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, highlighting the vulnerability of Jewish communities worldwide.
In times of crisis, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews steps in to provide both immediate relief and long-term support. Under the leadership of Yael Eckstein, The Fellowship has mobilized aid for victims of terror, offering trauma counseling, financial assistance, and community rebuilding.
The Fellowship's Resilience Centers in Israel, established after the devastating October 7 attacks, serve as models for how communities can heal from trauma. These centers provide group therapy, counselor training, and safe spaces for victims to process grief and rebuild their lives. Our mission is not only to meet physical needs but also to restore dignity, faith, and hope.
The Bondi Beach attack is a reminder that, although anti-Semitism remains an evil and dangerous force, it is also a collective call to action. Just as Hanukkah teaches us to kindle light in times of darkness, we are called to stand with Israel and the Jewish people.
This massacre was meant to instill fear and silence Jewish life. Instead, it has given the global Jewish community a renewed commitment to resilience, faith, and solidarity. Survivors lit the menorah again, communities gathered in prayer, and allies pledged to fight anti-Semitism wherever it rears its ugly head.
As Yael has often said, "We must be a light in the darkness." By supporting the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, we can help safeguard Israel and her people, ensuring that the flame of Jewish life continues to shine brightly, even in the darkest times.
To learn more or to make a donation, click here. Donations to IFCJ provide security for Jewish communities worldwide as well as food, medical care, and trauma counseling for victims of anti-Semitism.
Robin Van Etten is a seasoned nonprofit professional with 25 years of experience in direct response marketing and fundraising. She is currently the US CEO and Global Chief Operating Officer at the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, a nonprofit humanitarian organization serving the needs of the Jewish population around the world. In 2025, she was named a Notable Leader in Philanthropy by Crain's Chicago Business.