Light in the Darkness: ZAKA Deploys Urgent Mission to Sydney Following Hanukkah Terror Attack

As Jewish communities across Canada and around the world lit the first candle of Hanukkah, a moment traditionally filled with warmth, reflection, and hope, devastating news emerged from Australia. A brutal shooting at a Hanukkah gathering near Sydney’s Bondi Beach shattered a sacred moment of celebration, claiming the lives of 15 innocent people and leaving dozens more wounded. What should have been a night symbolising light overcoming darkness instead became a scene of profound grief and trauma.

The shock of this attack has reverberated far beyond Australia’s shores. Families, congregations, and community leaders across the Jewish world are mourning together, grappling with the pain of lives taken simply for gathering as Jews. In moments like these, when words fall short and emotions run deep, action rooted in compassion and dignity becomes essential.

In response to the tragedy, ZAKA Search and Rescue acted with urgency. Within hours of the attack, ZAKA deployed an international delegation of veteran responders from Israel to Sydney. These highly trained volunteers are now on the ground, supporting Australian authorities and the local Jewish community as they navigate the complex and painful aftermath of the attack.

A Mission of “True Kindness” (Chesed Shel Emet)

ZAKA’s work in the aftermath of mass-casualty events is guided by a core Jewish value known as Chesed Shel Emet—true kindness. This principle reflects acts of compassion performed for those who can never repay them. In the context of terror attacks and disasters, it means caring for victims with the highest level of dignity, respect, and humanity.

Following the shooting, ZAKA dispatched a specialised team of approximately 12 veteran responders from its International Unit. Leading the delegation is Yossi Landau, a senior commander with decades of experience responding to terror attacks and complex recovery operations. The team departed Ben Gurion Airport on a special flight, carrying specialised logistical and forensic equipment required for large-scale incidents.

Once in Sydney, the team began working closely with Australian law enforcement, forensic investigators, and emergency services. Their role is both highly technical and deeply human. ZAKA responders assist with the meticulous recovery and handling of victims’ remains, ensuring that all procedures meet forensic requirements while also upholding Kavod Hameit—the dignity of the deceased—according to Jewish law and tradition.

“Our mission is simple and unwavering: ZAKA is there for every Jew, no matter where they are, in times of crisis,” said ZAKA CEO Dubi Weissenstern. “We bring deep experience from terror scenes, working hand in hand with law enforcement to preserve critical forensic evidence, while also ensuring the dead are treated with the utmost dignity.”

This balance between investigative precision and profound respect for human life defines ZAKA’s unique role in such tragedies.

Supporting a Community in Shock

Beyond the operational work at the scene, ZAKA’s presence carries deep emotional significance. For families waiting to bury their loved ones, time is agonizing. For a community in shock, knowing that trained professionals are there to protect dignity and provide support offers a measure of comfort amid overwhelming grief.

ZAKA responders are accustomed to working quietly, often behind the scenes, in moments when communities are at their most vulnerable. Their work allows families to focus on mourning and remembrance, rather than logistical and procedural uncertainty. In Sydney, that presence has become a symbol of solidarity and care during an unimaginably painful time.

As Yossi Landau said before departing Israel, “This is a difficult and complex incident. Our mission is to operate with professionalism, sensitivity, and full coordination with local forces. This mission is not only about operational excellence, but about standing in solidarity with the Jewish community in Australia and ensuring dignity for every victim.”

Solidarity Across Continents

The pain of this tragedy has been deeply felt in Canada as well. Jewish communities from Vancouver to Montreal have gathered for vigils and public menorah lightings, choosing to continue celebrating Hanukkah while honouring the victims. Civic leaders, including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have issued messages of solidarity, and law enforcement agencies have increased their presence around Jewish institutions to provide reassurance.

Despite the fear and sorrow, community leaders across Canada and Australia have echoed a shared message: darkness will not prevail. Rabbi Chalom Loeub of the University of British Columbia captured this resolve when he said, “We’re not going to stand down. We’re going to counter the hatred with more kindness.”

Choosing Light

Hanukkah teaches that even a small light can push back immense darkness. In the aftermath of the Sydney attack, ZAKA Search and Rescue embodies that principle through action—professionalism, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity.

As the investigation continues and the community mourns its losses, ZAKA’s work on the ground stands as a reminder that even in moments of terror, there are those who respond not with hatred, but with care. In times like these, choosing light is not symbolic. It is something we do—together.

May the memory of the victims be a blessing. Chag Hanukkah Sameach.