12/28/2025
Beloved neighbors in our Jewish faith community in Lexington, the members of the Christian-Muslim Dialogue join you in deep grief over the senseless and violent mass shooting at the Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, which occurred December 14, 2025.
The fact that the mass shooting took place during a Hanukkah celebration makes this grief so much more painful. We grieve the loss of 15 innocent men, women, and children and pray for comfort for all their families and friends. We pray for healing and full recovery of the dozens of others injured. We pray for healing for all those traumatized by this horrific event.
May we be inspired by Matilda, a 10-year-old girl who was killed. Her language teacher, Irina Goodhew, described her as “…a bright and loving soul who taught us that true goodness is found in the love and compassion we share….Her memory reminds us to carry kindness in our hearts and spread it to the world. May the light of her eyes live on through us — in our actions, our words, and our love for one another.”
May we be emboldened by the courage of Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim and heroic bystander, whose action stopped further violence. May he fully recovery from his injuries.
May we as brothers and sisters of the Abrahamic faith all work together to oppose the scourge of anti-Semitism, violence against any religious group, and gun violence. May we all work together to bring love, compassion, healing and unity in our community and beyond.
Faithfully, The Steering Committee of The Christian Muslim Dialogue, 26 December, 2025
