Light Over Darkness: Sydney Reclaims Bondi Beach One Week After Tragedy
BONDI BEACH, SYDNEY — One week ago, the golden sands of Bondi Beach were the site of an unthinkable nightmare. Today, they became a sanctuary of hope.
Under a sky painted with the soft hues of a summer twilight, thousands of Australians gathered for the “Light Over Darkness” vigil. The event marked a National Day of Reflection for the 15 victims of the December 14 terror attack, which targeted a family-centric Hanukkah festival.
As the clock struck 6:47 PM—the exact moment the first shots were fired seven days prior—a profound silence fell over the shoreline. In windows across the country and in the hands of those on the sand, millions of candles were lit, signaling a defiant truth: Sydney’s spirit cannot be broken by hate.
A Community United in Grief and Resilience
The vigil was more than a memorial; it was a reclamation. One week ago, two gunmen—identified as a father and son—opened fire on families celebrating the first night of Hanukkah. Among the lives lost were Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a father of five and beloved community leader; Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor who had sought peace in Australia; and Matilda, a 10-year-old girl whose bright future was stolen in an instant.
Alex Ryvchin, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, delivered a searingly powerful address that brought many to tears.
“We feared and suspected that this moment was coming,” Ryvchin told the crowd, referring to the global surge in antisemitism. “But you have returned to the sand just seven days after a shocking crime and said to the terrorists: ‘We are going nowhere.'”
In a deeply personal moment, Ryvchin vowed to return to the same spot on the first night of Hanukkah in 2026 with his three daughters to light the menorah, honoring the memory of his friend, Rabbi Schlanger.
‘One Mitzvah for Bondi’: Turning Pain into Purpose
Addressing the mourners, NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged the heavy toll the tragedy has taken on the state. “The government’s highest duty is to protect its citizens, and we did not do that one week ago,” he said with visible emotion.
To foster healing, the Premier officially launched the #OneMitzvahforBondi campaign. Inspired by the teachings of Rabbi Schlanger, the initiative encourages every citizen—regardless of faith—to perform a mitzvah (an act of goodness).
Ways to participate in One Mitzvah for Bondi:
- Donate Blood: Sydneysiders have already flocked to donation centers in record numbers.
- Acts of Service: Volunteering at local food kitchens or shelters.
- Simple Kindness: Checking in on a neighbor or performing a small, selfless deed.
“We cannot cure hate with hate,” Minns stated. “The lesson of Hanukkah is that darkness cannot extinguish the light. Be the light in the world.”
The Path Toward Justice and Reform
While the night was dedicated to reflection, the undercurrent of the evening was a demand for change. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was met with a mix of solemnity and some calls for further action, has ordered a sweeping review into federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Key Developments in the Investigation:
- Royal Commission: Premier Minns has called for a state-based Royal Commission to “complete the jigsaw puzzle” of how the attackers—one of whom was known to authorities—were able to carry out the massacre.
- Gun Law Overhaul: The attack has sparked the largest national gun buyback in 30 years after it was revealed the perpetrators used legally owned firearms.
- Hate Speech Crackdown: New legislation is being fast-tracked to ban hateful slogans and symbols, aiming to dismantle the rhetoric that fuels such radicalization.
A Legacy of Light
As the vigil concluded, the “Chanukah by the Sea” site, once a scene of “pure evil,” was transformed into a sea of flickering flames and floral tributes. Though 13 people remain in the hospital fighting for their lives, the collective resolve of the thousands in attendance suggested that the killers failed in their ultimate goal.
They intended to scatter and intimidate; instead, they brought a city—and a nation—closer together.
Watch Now: For a full replay of the speeches and the minute of silence, visit the official live blog:https://shorturl.at/pa0Ij
