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Bondi Chanukah massacre
Dec. 15th, 2025 07:59 amYesterday evening, two gunmen opened fire on a large crowd attending Chanukah by the Sea in Sydney. So far sixteen people are dead, with reports saying there were so many more injured that police had to drive ambulances back to hospital so the paramedics could stay behind to keep treating more victims.
I just don’t have words. I don’t know what to say. Violence like this is almost unheard of in Australia; we have no community script, just raw horror and grief. My heart is with the thousands of people - families and ordinary civilians - who went to the beach for an evening of joy and worship and are now in mourning. I’m praying as well for Ahmed al Ahmed, a middle-aged bystander (a fruitseller, the rumours are saying, and not in any way combat trained) who took it on himself to save potentially countless lives by tackling and disarming one of the gunmen, and who’s now in hospital recovering from the gunshot wounds he sustained while doing so.
Please consider donating to an Australian Jewish charity today. US and UK friends, it’s worth noting that your currency just about doubles on exchange, so a small donation can make a much bigger difference over here.
Jewish Community Appeal
Jewish Council of Australia
Update with more specific GoFundMe links:
I just don’t have words. I don’t know what to say. Violence like this is almost unheard of in Australia; we have no community script, just raw horror and grief. My heart is with the thousands of people - families and ordinary civilians - who went to the beach for an evening of joy and worship and are now in mourning. I’m praying as well for Ahmed al Ahmed, a middle-aged bystander (a fruitseller, the rumours are saying, and not in any way combat trained) who took it on himself to save potentially countless lives by tackling and disarming one of the gunmen, and who’s now in hospital recovering from the gunshot wounds he sustained while doing so.
Please consider donating to an Australian Jewish charity today. US and UK friends, it’s worth noting that your currency just about doubles on exchange, so a small donation can make a much bigger difference over here.
Jewish Community Appeal
Jewish Council of Australia
Update with more specific GoFundMe links:
In loving memory of Matilda - to support the family of the 10 year old girl who lost her life yesterday.
Support the hero who disarmed a Bondi attacker - Ahmed al Ahmed will be out of work for a long time with his injuries and has a young family to support. His parents are also trying to get his brothers here from overseas to help take care of him while he’s incapacitated.
