Bondi: “Light Will Triumph”, Aussies Urged to Light a Candle for National Day of Mourning

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a National Day of Mourning for January 22. In the lead-up to Christmas last year, on December 14, an antisemitic terror attack saw 15 people murdered by two gunmen at Bondi Beach.

“Australia will remember the 15 innocent people whose lives and futures were so cruelly stolen from them that terrible evening,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

“Each the centre of a personal universe, the light of someone’s life, someone’s pride and joy.”

The theme of the day, chosen by Bondi’s Chabad (a group for Jewish people), is “Light will win, a gathering of unity and remembrance.”

Flags in both Commonwealth and state buildings will be flown at half-mast. (Businesses have also been encouraged to fly flags at half-mast.)

National institutions in Canberra and in NSW will also be illuminated on the day.

“And a commemorative installation, 15 Pillars of Light, will be held here in Canberra,” Mr Albanese said.

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The Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s Alex Ryvchin told Nine News that the day was important for Australians “to pause and reflect on what we’ve lost as a country in terms of the quality, in terms of the way of life, in terms of the harmony we all once took for granted”.

As a part of the day, there will be a minute’s silence across the country at 7.01pm (AEDT).

“And we’d ask also that broadcasting institutions, including the TV channels, if they can participate in that as well.”

Mr Albanese said that people should consider leaving a candle on their windowsill or on the outside of their homes or buildings in the evening.

“This will be a very important day of mourning,” he said. “It will be an opportunity for us to pay respects as a nation to those people who lost their lives.”

According to the Prime Minister, the Jewish community has also requested that there be a “mitzvah” for Bondi. A mitzvah is a good deed or act of kindness or compassion.

“It can be helping out a neighbour, checking on them,” said Mr Albanese. “It can be volunteering. It can be donating money.”

Fifteen people died and at least 39 were injured when two gunmen – a father and son – opened fire at a “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration at Bondi Beach, attended by at least 1000 people on the evening of December 14, 2025.

The father was shot dead by police during the attack. His son was also shot by police but was admitted to hospital and survived his injuries.  He has been charged with 59 offences, including murder and terrorism.

The victims of the Bondi attack ranged from a 10-year-old girl to a Holocaust survivor.

Matilda, 10. A student at La Perouse Pubic School. Before her death, she was walking hand-in-hand with her six-year-old sister, Summer, toward a petting zoo at the Chanukah celebration. 

Dan Elkayam, 27. Dan was a French national who worked in IT in Sydney.

Yaakov Levitan, 39. The South African–born rabbi was the CEO of the Chabad Bondi. He had helped organise the “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration.

Eli Schlanger, 41. A father, rabbi, and prison chaplain who was “one of the purest and most sincere and compassionate people any of us have known”, a fellow Rabbi said at his funeral.

Adam Smyth, 50. The father of four was taking a walk with his wife Katrina when he was killed. “No words can describe the pain of our loss”, his family said in a statement.

Peter Meagher, 61. A former NSW Police detective, Peter worked as a freelance photographer in retirement and was on assignment at the Chanukah event.

Reuven Morrison, 62. The Soviet-born businessman threw a brick at the older gunman before being killed in the attack. He had previously made warnings about the rising threat of antisemitism in Australia.

Boris Tetleroyd, 68. A father, whose son was also injured in the attack.

Tania Tretiak, 68. A wife, mother and grandmother who emigrated to Australia in 1992. Her husband Pavel was injured.

Couple Boris, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61. In haunting footage captured by a dashcam, the married couple confronted the older gunman and disarmed him but were soon after killed.

Tibor Weitzen, 78. Tibor was a great-grandfather and engineer, who died shielding his wife, Eva.

Marika Pogany, 82. Marika was a volunteer, who had hand-delivered 15,000 meals to Jewish seniors through a meals-on-wheels program.

Alex Kleytman, 87. Alex was a Holocaust survivor, grandfather and a civil engineer.

“They had come together to reaffirm their faith’s message of the victory of light over darkness,” the Prime Minister said.

“For everyone mourning loved ones and friends, for our proud and courageous Jewish Australian community and for every Australian affected by this act of evil, the shock, pain and grief is still raw.”

For more information on the National Day of Mourning,visit here.