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Chief Rabbi meets Bondi massacre hero during second community visit to Australia
Ephraim Mirvis also joined commencement of works at East Melbourne Synagogue following last year’s arson attack
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis met one of the heroes of the December 2025 Bondi Beach massacre, during his second trip in three months to support the Australian Jewish community.
Forty-four year old Muslim shopkeeper Ahmed al Ahmed was shot five times as he wrestled a gun from one of two terrorists during the deadly Chanukah party assault on Sunday 14 December, later saying he had acted out of “humanity”.
Now described as Australia’s worst modern terrorist attack, fifteen people were killed and more than 40 injured during the Bondi beach assault.
Chief Rabbi Mirvis was unable to thank Ahmed in person during his initial solidarity visit to Australia in December 2025 as the Syrian born businessman was undergoing surgery at that time.
This week, however, sharing a picture on social media of the two men finally shaking hands, Chief Rabbi Mirvis said: “A truly remarkable hero! Today I was privileged to spend time with a most amazing human being – Ahmed al Ahmed, whose extraordinary bravery saved numerous lives during the Bondi Beach terror attack. His courage is a beacon of light to our entire fragile world!”
As part of a series of community engagements during the trip, scheduled a year ago, Chief Rabbi Mirvis visited Adas Yisroel Shul, firebombed in a December 2024 arson attack which authorities linked to Iran. He described being at the site as a “sobering reminder of the global dangers Jews face from Iran and its proxies.”
He also paid his respects to Chabad of Bondi alongside Maram Stern, executive vice president of the World Jewish Congress, and took part in the rededication of Sydney’s Great Synagogue after a major 2.5-year restoration project.
While ‘down under’, Chief Rabbi Mirvis also took the opportunity to induct Rabbi Daniel Epstein as senior rabbi at Mizrachi Melbourne. Rabbi Epstein, together with his wife and respected educator Ilana Epstein, left the UK for Australia at the end of 2025 after five years in post at London’s Western Marble Arch synagogue.
Wishing them “blessing and success”, Chief Rabbi Mirvis said: “May this wonderful community go truly from strength to added strength under his leadership.”
A report from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry listed a record 1713 antisemitic incidents since 2024, up from 1200 in 2023 – itself nearly three times higher than 2022 levels. Between October and December 2023, Australia recorded 827 incidents, dropping to 478 during the same period in 2024.
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