Religions for Peace Australia extends heartfelt condolences to the victims of the tragic shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday 14 December 2025.
Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone impacted by this unspeakable act of violence targeting our Australian Jewish community. We extend our sympathies to the Jewish community, who will be deeply impacted by this terrorist incident, at a time of year when they should be coming together to celebrate the start of Hanukkah with family and friends.Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. In many places, this is done as a communal celebration.
The Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple.
Just over two years since the attacks of 7 October 2023, many Jews feel a deep need to stand together and be confidently Jewish—now more than ever. It reminds everyone that their faith is shining strong.
On this first night of Hanukkah with the Chabad Community event ‘Hanukkah by the Sea’ celebration, 16 people were killed and many others injured and taken to hospital. Many hundreds were forced to flee as the shootings were occurring, to find safe shelter.
We salute the bravery of civilians and Police who responded to this event while it was occurring. We honour all those who opened their homes and provided shelter to those fleeing the beach. We thank all emergency services for their prompt response and protection of the community.
We respect the need for police and community to manage this issue in a considered calm methodical way.
Chabad in New South Wales, particularly through its Yeshiva Centre in Sydney, has a rich history that reflects the broader experience of Jewish immigration and community building in Australia.
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies has cancelled all community celebrations. Hanukkah (Chanukah) celebrations in other states have been cancelled. The planned Hanukkah celebrations are currently under risk assessment to determine if they will proceed.
No faith community in Australia should be forced to retire from their worship and live in fear. The Jewish Community has a right to feel safe. They have the right to be who they are and the way they believe. An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.
This is not the Australian way. We are a multicultural and multifaith community that make up this home we all call Australia. It is the land of the Dreamtime, it is the land of peaceful tolerance and acceptance of all who come here and make this country their home.
This attack was on a Chabad community event at Bondi Beach ~ Hanukkah by the Sea. Chabad in New South Wales remains a central pillar of Jewish life, promoting outreach and education while staying committed to the Chabad philosophy of spreading Jewish awareness and practice.
Religions for Peace Australia joins with all faith communities in Australia in condemning this action, this attack on our peace.
May peace prevail on Earth!
May peace prevail on the Jewish communities that live in Australia.
Emeritus Prof Desmond Cahill, President, Religions for Peace Australia
Rev. Sandy Boyce, Co-Chair
Ms. Philippa Rowland, Co-Chair
Religions for Peace Australia joins with all faith communities in Australia in condemning this action, this attack on our peace.
May peace prevail on Earth!
May peace prevail on the Jewish communities that live in Australia.
Emeritus Prof Desmond Cahill, President, Religions for Peace Australia
Rev. Sandy Boyce, Co-Chair
Ms. Philippa Rowland, Co-Chair
Religions for Peace Australia is a global, community-based organisation working for global peace across the world and for social cohesion in Australia in other countries, and for peace and co-operation between the religions of the world. It works for an understanding of the benefits that religion and religious moderation brings to society, and works against religiously based extremism that is violent. Religions for Peace Australia has affiliates and branches in all states of Australia.
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Religions for Peace Australia (RfPA)
Religions for Peace Australia acknowledges, celebrates and pays respect to the traditional owners of country throughout Australia - and to all First Nations Australians - on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.