57th Blog:  I Was Just in Bondi Beach Last November


I’ve already shared part of my blog about my trip to Sydney and Melbourne. For the second installment, I had planned to dive deeper into Sydney and recount our adventures day by day, right up until we flew to Melbourne on November 26.

 

On November 22, my cousin Romy and his wife, Rose, graciously played tour guides and, among other stops, whisked us off to Sydney’s world‑famous Bondi Beach. I was over the moon to see it again—being a beach lover, it felt like coming home. The air was crisp and a little chilly, but that didn’t put a damper on my spirits. I soaked up the vibe and drank in the breathtaking view of Bondi.  That’s why the news of the December 15 shooting at Bondi hit me like a bolt from the blue.

 

On that day in 2025, a father and son carried out a terrorist attack targeting Sydney’s Jewish community during the first night of Hanukkah. The tragedy claimed at least 15 lives and left dozens injured, including police officers and children. The thought that it could have happened while we were there sent shivers down my spine. I could only thank God that by then we had already flown into Melbourne.

 

Still, I was deeply shaken. I had always thought of Sydney as a peaceful city, far removed from such acts of terror. I immediately reached out to my rosary prayer group, most of whom are based in Sydney. Perhaps they were already lifting prayers at that time. My heart goes out to all those who lost their lives and those who were injured—many of them, I presume, from the Jewish community. But regardless of faith, no one deserves to fall victim to such a ruthless and senseless crime.

 

As I look back, I realize how fragile life can be and how quickly a place of joy can turn into a scene of tragedy.  My prayer is that Bondi, and Sydney as a whole, continue to be remembered not for violence, but for the warmth of its people, the rhythm of its waves, and the spirit of togetherness that no act of terror can ever erase.

 


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