15/12/2025
As you may be aware the unthinkable happened on our Beautiful Bondi Beach yesterday.
Our small community of speakers include Rabbi's who are on 6 of our ships in Asia and Australia, South Pacific waters. I wanted to share a couple of things I've heard from our Rabbis
One of our Rabbis was on the way to Bondi to take part in the Hanukkah celebrations, but was running late and then got caught up in the sirens of police and ambulances and could not get closer.
Another Rabbis that only boarded the ship a few days ago and has lost a couple of dear friends in this tragedy Emailed this:
Hi Laureli
Thank you for your message of support
I conducted our first service last night with a mixture of emotions. Around 100 people attended, more than I have ever had. We began with prayers for the injured and the bereaved families. But then the mood changed and we determined to continue in the faith-driven spirit of the Maccabees of old. There was lots of spirited singing. I will try to send you some video that was taken.
After the service a gentleman came in with his wife. Their daughter in law was one of the injured. As you can imagine they were very emotional. My wife and I calmed them and then I said a prayer for her healing, intoning her name. Not a minute went by before the wife got a call to say their daughter in law was thank God out of danger
Many people have approached me on the ship with words of condolence and support.
We never know what life has to bring but we do want to send our prayers to all who were directly and indirectly affected by these events.
