A community grieves-tragedy at Bondi
29 January 26
As a brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God, within our wonderful fraternity we have brethren of various faiths, culture and background. As brethren and indeed, as Australians, we all agree that there is no place for any kind of hatred or violence in our society. The events at Bondi will, doubtless, remain in our memories for many years. Let us remember those who died, those who were wounded, and those who are affected by the extreme act of brutality. Let us also remember the heroic act of our Bro Detective Senior Constable Cesar Barraza of Lodge Sydney St George No 269 who exposed himself to mortal danger to save further bloodshed. Let us all continue to take care of each other and aim to be the light that we seek in the world.
– MW Bro B Khristian Albano – Grand Master
At the Grand Master’s suggestion, Freemason magazine asked two senior Jewish brethren – MW Bro Greg Levenston and RW Bro Joshua Newman – to express their feelings after the tragic Chanukah massacre at Bondi in December 2025.
RW Bro Joshua Newman
Chanukah has been a family event I have celebrated annually since my earliest memories. From the school candelabra making and decorating, to the family lighting ceremonies for eight nights. The festival was always a lot of fun, filled with songs, strange games, and sweet and savoury treats – as long as they were fried. At the time I didn’t realise that oil is one of the central aspects of the festival. We eat doughnuts and latkes (potato pancakes) specifically because they are fried in oil.
The main aspect of the festival however is Light.
The festival is based around a miracle which happened centuries ago in Israel during the time of the second temple over 2,000 years ago – not King Solomon’s temple on which our ceremonial is chiefly based.
What I learned in later years is that Judah Maccabee had led his small army to victory and regained control of the second temple. In order to rededicate it to God’s service he removed the pagan idols that had been brought in and sought to light the eternal flame as a symbol to the people and his devotion to God. This light could only be powered by a sanctified olive oil that was suitably blessed by the High Priests and sealed in terracotta jars. Alas, all the jars had been smashed during the temple’s ransacking and only one small jar of oil was located with the priestly seal still intact. Whilst only having enough oil for one day, this jar – with God’s will – powered the light for eight days enabling the time necessary for new oil to be pressed, sanctified and delivered back to Jerusalem.
This is the miracle of Chanukah.
Light being a central tenet of the Craft ties in well with the festival of Chanukah.
I have seen a lot of Light over the whole festival this year as signs of support and solidarity have been expressed by Jews and non-Jews, masons and non-masons at Bondi at the site of the devastating terrorist attack that happened on the first night. This tragedy has deeply affected my community and, being such a small community, I don’t think there is a person who has not been touched. I have received an incredible number of heartfelt messages of support via texts, calls and emails none of which I will soon forget.
On the eighth night of Chanukah this year I made my way down to Bondi with my family and 20,000 other Australians to commemorate and remember those that we lost, and to stand in defiance of darkness. The bravery exhibited by our first responders was heroic. Some of these people I recognised as masons only when they got up on the stage to light the candelabra. Our organisation attracts the best of us and fortifies the best qualities of a man.
I am inspired by the words of Rabbi Ulman who spoke at the vigil about each of the 15 lost souls, each of whom left us with a lesson we can emulate. Rabbi Ulman is the father-in-law of Rabbi Eli Schlanger – one of the victims: “Take personal responsibility to continue the Light those souls brought into the world. Let us not wait for tomorrow, let us start today.”
I wish you a safe, happy and spiritual holiday.
MW Bro Greg Levenston:
I was looking forward to the start of Chanukah. Light in a dark world.
I live in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney. In my building I heard people yelling, ‘Turn on the TV.’I stood there watching in horror, in shock. I was seeing scenes I never imagined I would ever see, hearing sounds I never thought I would ever hear. A night of sirens, death and darkness. Not only my Jewish values were being assaulted, but also the values of a culturally diverse Australia. Nothing was new, just the scenario.
The antisemitism, the politics, the ideas, the taking of sides, the radicalisation, the evil.
Not where I live my life in the middle.
A life of balance, unbalanced.
A life of compassion and empathy, confronted.
And it continued.
My life has strong foundations, family, Freemasonry, being a Jew, and I am the Board Chairman of the hospitals where the victims were being taken.
I acknowledged the bravery of our services and our community. I was mourning the precious lives lost and praying for the living and the community as a whole. As was Australia and the world. Their support wrapped its arms around us and hugged.
There was resilience, strength, kindness, respect, equity and there was light in a very dark world.
What lies ahead depends on how many tails are wagging the dogs.
Navigating the tragedy over time will involve listening, supporting, loving, with prayers for comfort and healing.
It is important in the longer term to seek counselling and wellbeing resources from people you trust. And to take care of yourselves and be kind to each other.
And repeat daily..
Let there be light, and there was light.
Support and Assistance
The events at Bondi have deeply affected many — not only those directly involved, but families, witnesses, first responders, and members of the wider community. Such incidents can leave lasting emotional and psychological impacts, and it is important to acknowledge that support may be needed in the days, weeks, or months that follow.
NSW Victims Services is providing dedicated assistance for those impacted by the Bondi Beach incident, including counselling, financial support, and practical help:
Lifeline has also released a wellbeing support guide designed to help individuals recognise common responses to trauma and access appropriate care:
If you are experiencing distress or feel overwhelmed, confidential help is available 24 hours a day.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
In an emergency, please contact 000.