Reflections

"I am appalled at the horrific murders and pain caused by terrorists at the Bondi Beach Chanukah celebration. May the dead rest in peace and the survivors find closure" - Sue McCartney, Australia

"Such an overwhelming shock that this has happened in my beloved Australia. I am an Australian but a proud Jew as well and don’t know what has happened to my country Am much more cautious as I look around It’s such a strange feeling not feeling safe in your own country" - Lyn Frietag, Australia

"I was deeply shocked and saddened by the Bondi Terror attack. I want to post my support for the jewish community. We stand by you.I knew Beautiful Matilda Bee. She was such a lovely, bright, caring child. She lit up the room on entering. I will always remember her. Thank you to all the first responders and heroes that risked their lives to save others." - Jane Prince, Australia

"We need to stand together as a community to counter the antisemitism and hate that has emerged and flourished in Australia since October 7 2023. December 14 2025 impacted on all of us and we are grateful for being able to gather together to honour and remember all those who were murdered and to start the slow process of healing . We owe a debt of gratitude to Rabbi Yossi Friedman and all those who have supported him over the last 30 days at the Bondi Pavillion memorial services . Thank you Rabbi Friedman" - Michael Friedlander, Australia

"Keeping you in my heart forever. Thank you brave warriors, you gave your lives and that will not be in vain! Through your celebration of Judaism, and your tragic sacrifice, you bring strength in the fight against antisemitism, and unite the community. Your memories are a blessing to us all. And to all the brave heroes who survived, may you heal as much as possible, in body and soul. Thank you again, forever 🙏🏻✡️❤️🕊️🇦🇺🇮🇱" - Dorit Stern Kohler, Australia

"A Christian who stands with the Australian Jewish community. You are in my thoughts and prayers" - Anonymous, Australia

"The sun still shines down upon the sand and sea. But it somehow seems… Less bright. Less light. There is a darkness now, that lingers in the shadows. A sickly evil has passed through this place and left an ugliness in its wake. It’s blackness obvious and suffocating; like oil spilling into ocean sea. It doesn’t mix. It doesn’t fit. But it’s here all the same. The echoes of frightened screams have been etched into the framework of our once peaceful society. They live there now. They have made their mark. The grief is thick and impossible to contain. It’s all around. Everywhere. I can see it in the eyes of every passer by. I can see it in my own. I feel it in my heart. But I also see the love. There is so much love. I can smell it, in the flowers that have gathered. They lie there on the concrete, a colourful array, trailing their way, gently through the madness. Offering their beauty reminding us that beauty still exists. I can hear it the voices that are gathered up in prayer they rise….. in unity and strength. Carried on the wind, towards the sky.

There is so much love. And despite the horrors And the evil And the loss And the pain And the fear And the grief And the hurt Love still lives here… Love will always live here. We will never forget what happened But, in time to come changes will be made, so that this kind of evil may never happen here Ever again." - Leora Bekk, Australia

"Light over darkness always wins! In our hearts forever ❤️" - Taryn Chapman, Australia

"Moving forward with prayers, love and light" -Adel Glikman, Australia

"Am Israel Chai" - Anonymous, Australia

"May their memories be blessed" - Bella Sevitt, Australia

"Sending everlasting love to those who have lost a loved one in the horrific attack." - Harlene Rubin, Australia

"It is sad that such an action is needed. It remains the light of Hanukah and the hope, that love and reason will overcome hatee and stupidity." Stefan Rau, Germany

"Wonderful to be part of the community and embrace all Australians" - Anonymous, Australia

"Thank you to the beautiful, strong and resilient community for everything you do to spread light and love" - Anonymous, Australia

"Never forgotten" - Anonymous, Australia

"Always in my heart" - Sheila Kirche, Australia

"Rabbi Yossi thanks you for all you did for the community. You have been a beacon of strength and light. Toda Rabah" - Arlene Allardice

"Heartbreaking - I am So sad for our community and all the souls who were taken so tragically." - Anonymous, Australia

"I don't know what I'll do when these vigils stop - they are what has got me through this darkness. I wonder if there's a way to keep this community love and support going beyond the shloshim?" - Adrianne, Australia

"We will never forgive nor forget💔🇭🇲🐝" - Vik Mik, Australia

"I wish long life to the family of all who lost and suffered at this tragic, appalling event. May their Memories always be a blessing" - Anonymous, Australia

"This has been an amazing idea To meet and mingle with other people and feeling the sadness together We must never forget!" - Anonymous, Australia

"We stay on your side. Love and peace is greater than darkness!" - Georg Truxa, Germany

"The victims of this savage attack must never be forgotten. The heroes who saved many lives must forever be thanked. The response of the Jewish community calling for support, peace and understanding as opposed to hatred and revenge will ultimately lead to good prevailing over evil" - Tessa Christelis, Australia

"So sorry for this horrendous loss. If it is any consolation you are not alone. We think of you often and daven for your refuah. Moshiach now." - Deborah Gilden, USA

"God bless you all. The outpouring of love and support shows that good triumphs over evil." - Rose, Australia

"Our deepest and sinceriest, heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with the Jewish community and those directly affected by the Dec 14 terrorists attack. Words cannot convey adequately the heaviness in our hearts. My husband and I experienced first hand the love and strength of the Bondi Jewish community and others, when we attended the memorial on the night of Saturday 20th Dec. We felt the overwhelming presence of the LORD and His love and hope. Light shining through in the darkness, as the Hanukkah candles were lit. We are standing with the Jewish and Bondi community. May 2026 bring the justice, change and breakthrough so greatly needed in this nation." - Karen & Tim, Australia

"It was a great privilege to join you to remember the names of the heroes who have sacrificed so much. We must honour their memories by rooting out the evil that perpetrated this horrific tragedy." - Matthew Canavan, Australia

"I can’t find the words to properly express the deep grief and sadness I’ve felt since what happened on December 14. The Jewish community is one of love, faith, and immense value to Australia, and I have nothing but respect for you. Small in number but mighty. I pray the victims’ lives were not taken in vain, and that we can build toward a better future in their memory. Much love. God bless you & we are with you." - Natalie, Australia

"My sincere and deepest thoughts are with you each and every day and a candle is lit and placed in our front window every evening for the blessed souls lost on the 14/12/25. I stand strong with Jewish Australians and the broader Bondi community, always." - Marcelle Incher, Australia

"My heart is joined as one with the Jewish Community and arise in this hour to stand shoulder to shoulder with them with other Australians who see the urgency of no tolerance of antisemitism and speak against this evil. Call Albo to an account to order a royal commission. Here to support in any way." - Maree, Australia

"I was saddened when I saw what happened in Bondi....Australia shouldn't be like this. I will stand against hatred because hatred doesn't belong in Australia." - Ro, Australia

"Sending sincere condolences to the families who have lost a precious loved one. Wishing a speedy recovery to those injured. May 2026 be a year where we support the eradication of antisemitism and hatred of all forms. May their memories be a blessing." - Shana Radnan, Australia

"My heart goes out to all the victims of this awful massacre.Sending love and hope for a better year" - Cecille Santos, USA

"Baruch Dayan Haemeth. Sending my love and thoughts to their families" - Jenni Strous, Aouth Africa

"I can't begin to imagine what the Jewish community and the community of Bondi in general are going through. But as a human being that use to work in Bondi until I had my son, my heart truly breaks the everyone involved. My heart lies with not only the people of Bondi but the Jewish Community as a whole. My heart and support with FOREVER by with the Jewish Community ✡️ worldwide. I wish that I could be a part of the Jewish Community ✡️." - Lisa Hughes, Australia

"Shalom we have a real love for the Jewish people and will stand with you. We have as an idea "Abraham's Shield" where Christians support Jews in prayer and activity at their events blessings" - Alan and Wilma Thomson, Australia

"We are heartbroken but united as a community" - Minna Johnson, Australia

"Sincere thoughts and prayers for all lives taken on December 14th 2025. Having lost my sister 2 months ago to Pancreatic Cancer, mother in law and cousin all within 4 weeks, 2 months ago, im finding peace visiting Bondi 🙏 praying, talking and saying hi to people. We as a nation must stand together, must always support each other regardless of sex, race or religion." - Daniel McCarthy, Australia

"May the L_rd bless “ remember 14 December”- so important." - Louise Holiday, Australia

"No words can take the pain from your hearts. Please know that I think of you all daily and those that you have lost. I will remember their names. Your strength, resilience, and sense of community is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing the stories of your loved ones and allowing us all into your hearts. No one can take away your precious memories and I hope in time as you heal those memories bring a smile to your face. Peace and love to all." - Deb, Australia

"May we all support and uplift each other through bad times and rejoice together in good times." - Janet Neustein

"I am a gentile. The world is a better place for the state of Israel being, and humanity has benefitted greatly from the contributions made by so many Jews across so many fields of endeavour. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." - Peter Reddy, Australia

"Sending love and most heartfelt sympathies to all the families and friends of the beautiful people so cruelly taken from you that terrible day and praying for the healing of all those injured. And my unconditional support to the Jewish community of not only Sydney, but all over Australia. I live too far away from Bondi to come to the daily memorials in person but am with you in spirit and heart." - Sophie Masson, Australia

"I am so sorry for what happened on the 14th of December to the Jewish community. I am not Jewish and have lived in Sydney my whole life. You are all in my heart and am so sad that this happened. Thinking of you all everyday. Take " -care of yourself. Xoxo 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️🐝🐝🐝" - Diana Henderson, Australia

"I include in my daily prayer a plea to God for all Jewish people everywhere, affected directly or indirectly, by the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, as well as all that they have endured and had inflicted on them since 7 October 2023, not to mention for so/too long well before." - Rebecca Westmyer - Australia

"Dear Brothers & Sisters, I am so sorry for your loss. Your loss is also mine. I cry and grieve with and for you. Remember, these 30 days of vigils at the Bondi Pavilion led by our dear leader Rabbi Yossi reading the names daily, praying, reciting the Psalms of David have united us healing the wounds incurred by this tragedy. They have gone physically but their presence is still in our hearts. Be strong, celebrate their heroic acts sheltering others from the bullets. I acknowledge your sorrow and pain. It is okay not to feel okay. We need time. The light will triumph over darkness & something good will shine upon us." - Fadia Sultan, Australia

"Keep the light shining" - Anonymous, Australia

"How anyone could deliberately shoot an innocent 10 years old girl is totally unbelievable and Albanese and Wong refuse to deport moslem preachers who speaking incitement to hate and violence in mosques" - David Abulafia, Australia

"Thank you to everyone for bearing witness at the Bondi Pavilion vigils, prayer services and memorial 🇮🇱💔🇦🇺" - Anonymous, Australia

"My heart breaks for the Jewish community and all those who had been broken by this unimaginable event. With love and kindness may we heal each other and bond in our love of humanity." - Leisa Mackey, Australia

"We uplift the departed and the families and the people grieving the loss of loved ones. In Jesus/Yeshua's mighty name." - Jil-ena Cunningham, USA

"God grieves with you...in Jesus Yeshua's name...forever held in His arms are you. Hallelujah" - Jileena, Australia

"Remembering them always. Wishing you all long life" - Shivani Cathie Broughton, Australia

"Shalom and GOD'S blessings be with all of you my brothers and sisters. I am united with you in prayer everyday. Be at peace and GOD, our PAPA GOD will carry all of you forward." - Sherman Jude Santa Maria, Australia

"Australia will never forget! Especially the likes of Albanese, and his side kick Penny Wong (born of Chinese Malaysian background, where there is major discrimination against Chinese- Malaysians)- who allowed all the anti- Semitism and hatred to flourish! I would likely of been at that Chabad Chanukah event, if I was not overseas. My brother was a paramedic there, I have connections to 5 of the 15 people killed…. the Sydney Jewish Community, flourishing since the time of the first British settlers, has dramatically changed. We love and will never forget those killed. We will lovingly support the families and those dealing with the trauma." - Sarah Shilansky, Australia

"Rabbi you are a credit to our community! Your work has been first class … Mazeltov" - David and Judi Redelman, Australia

"May God be with them and they will never be forgotten and all people who this act has affected them AUSTRALIA WILL STAND STRONG AND is doesn't matter what religion or where you come from or what ever colour you are we stand as one and this act of hate makes us stronger God Bless and may the light shine over you" - Grahem Rogers, Australia

"I am a regular blood donor & have been since 1996. I am O- blood type which is called the universal donor as O- can be given to any blood type that a person has. Can only donate whole blood every 12 weeks. On Tuesday, December 9th, 2025 I donated at the mobile blood van which comes down to Kiama every 12 weeks & sets up in the grounds of the Kiama Anglican church near a few nice shady trees which donors can sit under in summer when it is a hot day while they wait their turn to donate inside the mobile van. I am happy to donate my whole blood & occasionally do a plasma donation. After each donation, about 2 or 3 days later, I get a text message on my phone to tell me thank you for donating & it is on its way to a particular hospital. One time it went to the Royal Canberra Hospital.

Little did I know that afternoon, Dec. 9th what horror was going to occur 5 days later on Sunday evening, December 14th at Bondi Beach when many Jewish people were celebrating. I arrived home just after 8pm that Sunday night & turned on the TV as I went to make myself a coffee. The usual TV show was not on & I fast realised what was on TV as I sat down in my arm chair. I had a quite sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach as the terror attack event an hour earlier was live news. What a shock it was to see what was on my TV screen & so hard to even believe such a thing so awful could happen in Australia. I was born into Australia & grew up here. This is not our Australia & we are good people who are thought so highly of around most of the world.

Not long before I went to bed about midnight I checked my phone & there was a sms thanking me as usual for my recent blood donation & advising me it was on its way to someone at RPA. It was about 2 or 3 days later that it was mentioned on TV that the Bondi victims were taken to various hospitals in the Sydney area, including RPA as there were over 40 people injured in the attack. It then dawned on me that my O- blood donated on the previous Tuesday may have helped someone who survived the Bondi event or possibly even helped save a life at RPA that night of the 14th. It made me feel rather proud & good inside that I had probably helped someone

I will never know to live and heal from their gun shot wounds along with all the other blood donations given in the previous weeks that also went to RPA. It is nice to do something that can help another in need whether it be just a small thing such as helping a person struggling to carry bags of groceries to their car or giving a plant cutting to a neighbour for their garden or taking a friend out for a coffee. And, in the week after December 14th about 74,000 people all over Australia gave blood for Bondi victims & for many it was the first time they had ever donated blood in their entire life. It was proof that us Aussies still are the tremendous givers we are known for.

We can only hope & pray that this sort of evil act never happens again on Australian shores." - Kathy Wright, Australia

"May their memories be a blessing. Refuah Shleymah to all the injured. May their memories be a blessing. May Bondi be a peaceful place where we can all heal together as a community" - Anonymous, Australia

"Please acknowledge the lifeguards who so courageously rendered assistance and support. They are unsung heroes." - Tracy Steyn, Australia

"Always thinking of them, but also seeing that light overcomes darkness" - Anonymous, Australia

"May they all rest in eternal peace & never forgotten 🌈🙏🩵❤️. I hope that all who were injured, fully recover & have support to help them heal physically & mentally. I'm an ex Sydney gal, now living in Qld & know the beauty Bondi holds. It will never be the same Bondi as before 14.12.2025, but we can Reclaim Bondi.I can't imagine how all the first responders ambulance, Bondi lifeguards, public, & nswpolice are processing & dealing with it all & I hope they are getting all the help they need so they can be healed. Sending love & light ❤️✨️❤️✨️❤️✨️ It's been beautiful watching the readings, the community wrapping their arms around Bondi, the stone writing & placements for December & January from afar." - Karen Johnson, Australia

"My condolences to the families of those who passed away." - "Grigoriy Raunshteyn, Australia

"Forever in our hearts" - Anonymous, Australia