12/14/2025
A Message from Oshman Family JCC CEO, Zack Bodner about today's incident in Sydney:
We have learned this morning of a terrible mass shooting incident in Sydney, Australia. In what New South Wales police are calling a terrorist attack on a public Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, at least eleven people have been killed, including a Chabad rabbi. We are stunned by this horrific violence, and as our own observance of Hanukkah begins tonight, our hearts are heavy and our prayers are with the families of those slain, with all who were present at the event, and with the whole Jewish community of Sydney.
At times like this, many thoughts also turn to our own security here at the JCC. This is an extraordinarily safe campus. We have a comprehensive and multilayered security plan in place, and our staff are highly trained. We are always closely in touch with the Palo Alto Police Department and other law enforcement agencies and experts about the security environment, and adjust as needed. Your safety and that of all our members, guests and staff is always our highest priority, and we continuously work to ensure that safety. For all those planning to attend events at the JCC today, even though we have not learned of any heightened security risk to our community, we want you to know that we are increasing security here just to be on the safe side.
This is not the message we hoped to be sending out for Hanukkah. This holiday is a celebration of the survival of our people, of light in a time of darkness. Even as we mourn those lost in Australia and pray with those injured or impacted, let us also hold fast to the miracle that the Jewish people endure and that fear cannot prevent us from celebrating who we are. May you and your families have a peaceful and meaningful holiday.
