What began as a joyful gathering to mark the first night of Hanukkah turned into a scene of unimaginable horror on December 14, 2025, at Bondi Beach. Hundreds had assembled for the annual “Chanukah by the Sea” event, organized by Chabad of Bondi, filled with music, family activities, and the lighting of the menorah under the summer evening sky.
Around 6:45 p.m., two gunmen – identified by police as a father and son duo armed with long guns and ample ammunition – opened fire from an elevated footbridge overlooking the crowd. Witnesses described over ten minutes of relentless gunfire, with shots echoing across the iconic beach as families scattered in panic. “It was utter chaos – people running, screaming, hiding wherever they could,” one survivor recounted.
Australian authorities quickly declared the incident a terrorist attack, explicitly targeting Sydney’s Jewish community in an act of antisemitic hatred. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned it as “pure evil” and “an unprecedented act of terrorism on our shores,” vowing to stand with the Jewish community and eradicate such hate.
The death toll stands at least 15, with more than 40 injured, many critically. Among the victims: Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a beloved London-born assistant rabbi and key event organizer; a 10-year-old girl named Matilda; Holocaust survivor Alexander Kleytman; French citizen Dan Elkayam; and community member Reuven Morrison. Ages ranged from child to elderly, underscoring the indiscriminate brutality.
Heroism emerged amid the tragedy. Bystander Ahmed al Ahmed, a local fruit shop owner, tackled one gunman, disarming him despite being shot – an act praised as saving countless lives.
The attackers, motivated by extremism, were neutralized: the father killed by police, the son critically injured. Investigations continue, amid concerns over rising antisemitic incidents in Australia since October 2023.
As memorials grow at Bondi Pavilion with flowers and candles, the nation mourns. World leaders, including King Charles and U.S. officials, expressed outrage. Sydney’s Jewish community, resilient yet grieving, vows to continue celebrating light over darkness.
