What happened at Sydney's Bondi beach during Hanukkah?

A deadly attack occurred at Bondi beach, killing at least 15 people and disrupting a public menorah lighting ceremony.

Who organizes the global menorah lightings?

The global menorah lightings are organized by the Chabad-Lubavitch movement as part of the annual Hanukkah festival.

Why might the Chabad-Lubavitch community have been targeted?

The community's visibility as an open and outgoing group may have made it a target for hate-motivated violence.

Home / War and Conflict / Sydney Menorah Lighting Terrorized by Deadly Attack

Sydney Menorah Lighting Terrorized by Deadly Attack

15 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Deadly attack at Sydney's Bondi beach killed at least 15 people.
The violence disrupted a global menorah lighting event.
Chabad-Lubavitch community appears to be a target for hate.

Sydney Menorah Lighting Terrorized by Deadly Attack

At least 15 people were killed in a shocking attack on Sydney's Bondi beach, casting a dark shadow over the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival. The violence occurred during one of the 15,000 public menorah lightings organized worldwide by the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.

This annual tradition celebrates a central aspect of Judaism with public displays of light and faith. The timing of the attack during this significant religious observance highlights the disturbing nature of the incident and its impact on the Jewish community.

Sources suggest that the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, known for its vibrant and outward-facing community, may have been deliberately targeted. The brutal interruption of this global festival points to a concerning rise in hate-motivated incidents.