Statement from Jay Solomon on Bondi Beach Tragedy

The gentle flicker of the menorah's candles cast a warm, golden glow across the room last night, as my family and I gathered for the first night of Hannukah. With the familiar scent of latkes and jelly donuts wafting through the air, we shared laughter and joy. Joined by my wife, son, son-in-law, and dogs, I was filled with competing emotions, reflecting on all the years we have celebrated Hannukah together and watched our traditions change and evolve. We laughed as we opened gifts and savored these cherished moments.

Yet, last night was also tinted with a deep pit of sadness and fear. As we celebrated quietly, dozens of families faced chaos, despair, and pain from another senseless act of violence and hate. On a night meant for joy and celebration, the families of the Bondi Beach tragedy instead grappled with unimaginable loss.

No words can truly heal the gaping wound caused by such atrocities. With each new act of antisemitic violence added to a growing list worldwide, the weight of grief deepens. Even so, these moments call us to find strength, to remain courageous in expressing our identity and beliefs. Silence is not safety; it is how we let hate win.

Communities like Aviva have never been more important. We are a Jewish community and a safe haven for Jewish seniors. We also help people of all backgrounds see the beauty of Jewish tradition and culture. At Aviva, we show the beauty in diversity and the strength of sharing our customs. That spirit of unity must be preserved. It must be celebrated and fostered.

As we continue our Hannukkah celebrations this week, my family will pause each night to recite the Mourner’s Kaddish in honor of those lost at Bondi Beach. We also join the global community in sending strength to the victims still recovering and the Jewish community of Australia.

In these dark times, the story of Hannukah has never felt more important. The story of the brave Maccabees, beaten down and outnumbered, yet through their faith and unity, they were able to vanquish the greatest evil of their time. We must learn from their courage and take action. I encourage each of us to take a moment to write to your state and federal representatives. Demand that they take a stand against antisemitism at home and abroad, not through words but through direct legislative action. Only when we stand together and raise our voices can our light burn away the darkness.

May the memory of those lost at Bondi Beach always be a blessing for their families and for all of us. As we come together in hope and solidarity, let us be unwavering in our commitment to resilience, compassion, and unity. May the light of our community inspire us to take meaningful action—by reaching out to others, standing firm against injustice, and passing on the power of our traditions. The promise we make today to uphold these values will not only honor those we have lost but also safeguard the torch of hope for generations to come. Together, may our actions shine as a beacon, guiding us through darkness and toward a world of greater understanding and peace.

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With hope and love,

Jay Solomon

President & CEO

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The Mourner’s Kaddish

yeet-gah-dahl vi-yeet-kah-dahsh sׁmayh rah-bah.

יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵיהּ רַבָּא. [אָמֵן]

bahl-mah dee vi-rah khee-roo-tayh. vi-yahm-leekhmahl-khoo-tayh vi-yah-tzmakh poor-kah-nayh vee-kah-rayv mi-shee-khayh.

בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא, כִרְעוּתֵהּ. וְיַמְלִיךְמַלְכוּתֵהּ, וְיַצְמַח פּוּרְקָנֵה, וִיקָרֵב מְשִׁיחֵהּ. [אָמֵן]

bi-khah-yay-khohn oov-yoh-may-khohn oov-khah-yay di-khohlbayt yee-sׂrah-aylbah-ah-gah-lah oo-veez-mahn kah-reev veem-roo ah-mayn.

בְּחַיֵּיכוֹן וּבְיוֹמֵיכוֹן וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל-בֵּיתיִשְׂרָאֵל, בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן.

(Cong: "yhay sׁmayhrah-bah mi-vah-rakh lah-lahm oo-lahl-may ahl-mah-yah. yeet-bah-rah-kh.")

[אָמֵן יְהֵא שְׁמֵיהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ, לְעָלַםוּלְעָלְמֵי עָלְמַיָּא. יִתְבָּרַךְ]

yi-hay sׁmayhrah-bah mi-vah-rakh lah-lahm oo-lahl-may ahl-mah-yah. yeet-bah-raykh vi-yee-sׁtah-bakh vi-yeet-fah-ayrvi-yeet-roh-mahm vi-yeet-nah-say-ׂvi-yee-thah-dahr vi-yee-tah-leh vi-yee-thah-lahl smayh di-kood-sah-ׁ bi-reekh hoo.

יְהֵא שְׁמֵיהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ, לְעָלַם לְעָלְמֵיעָלְמַיָּא יִתְבָּרֵךְ וְיִשְׁתַּבַּח וְיִתְפָּאֵר וְיִתְרוֹמָם וְיִתְנַשֵּׂאוְיִתְהַדָּר וְיִתְעַלֶּה וְיִתְהַלָּל, שְׁמֵהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁאבְרִיךְ הוּא. [אָמֵן]

lay-lah meen kohl beer-khah-tah vi-shee-rah-tahtoo-sbkhah-tah vi-neh-kheh-mah-tah dah-ah-mee-rahn bahl-mah veem-roo ah-mayn.

לְעֵלָּא מִן-כָּל-בִּרְכָתָא וְשִׁירָתָא,תֻּשְׁבְּחָתָא וְנֶחָמָתָא דַאֲמִירָן בְּעָלְמָא, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן. [אָמֵן]

yi-hay sׁlah-mahrah-bah meen sׁmah-yahvi-khah-yeem toh-veem ah-lay-noo vi-ahl kohl yee-sׂrah-ayl veem-roo ah-mayn.

יְהֵא שְׁלָמָא רַבָּא מִן שְׁמַיָּא וְחַיִּים טוֹבִיםעָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן : [אָמֵן]

oh-seh sah-ׁlohmbeem-roh-mahv hoo yah-ah-seh sah-ׁlohmah-lay-noo vi-ahl kohl yee-sׂrah-aylveem-roo ah-mayn.

עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם (בעשרת ימי תשובה: הַשָׁלוֹם) בִּמְרוֹמָיוהוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ, וְעַל כָּל-יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן. [אָמֵן]