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........

© Townhall