The Orthodox Union is horrified by the shooting at a Chabad Chanukah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney. An act of violent extremism targeting a Jewish religious gathering at the most public expression of Jewish faith. This was a direct assault on Jewish life.
Chanukah is the most public of Jewish holidays. We mark the defeat of ancient antisemitic persecution by lighting our menorahs openly and unapologetically. That is precisely why this attack matters. It was meant to intimidate, silence, and drive Jews out of the public square. It will fail.
At a time when antisemitism is being normalized, excused, and even justified in public discourse, this attack is no longer shocking. It is the predictable result of unchecked incitement, extremist rhetoric, and repeated failures by leaders to draw red lines. Calls to “globalize the intifada” are not slogans. They are threats, and they lead directly to violence.
We stand with the Jewish community in Sydney and pray for the full recovery of those injured. We thank the first responders who acted swiftly. We also demand accountability. Governments and civic leaders must act decisively to confront antisemitic incitement and protect Jewish communities. Silence, moral equivocation, and inaction are no longer acceptable. Jews have the right to celebrate their faith openly and safely, without fear, anywhere in the world.
Please join us in saying Tehillim for the victims of this terror attack:
Yonatan ben Tziporah
Yaakov Dov ben Pnina
Chaya bat Shterna Sara
Reuven ben Manya
Yaakov ben Ethel
Arsen ben Zoya
Yaakov HaLevi ben Miriam
Dov Ber ben Talya
Moshe ben Binyamin
Moshe Yonatan ben Tzipporah
Toba bat Feiga
Elon ben Ira
Feivel Eliezer ben Dobra Bella
Elon ben Shimshon
Yehuda Leib ben Manya
Shoshana bat Minette
Levi Zev ben Elisheva Rochel