Saturday Night Fever
January 12, 2026 by Alex First
A Melbourne theatre review by Alex First Read more
Charges likely to be dropped after bomb squad called to Bondi following Shloshim service
January 12, 2026 by AAP J-Wire
A Victorian man arrested after bomb disposal police were called to Bondi Road, Bondi over a duct-taped weighted vest is likely to have charges dropped, NSW Police have conceded in court.
On the other hand
January 11, 2026 by Michael Kuttner
The Tel Aviv-Yaffo Municipality has announced the opening of a lifeguard training course (Type 1 Sea Lifeguard certification) for the first time in four decades. Read more
Suspect arrested after antisemitic drive-by shooting at home of New Zealand Jewish family in California
January 11, 2026 by Greg Bouwer
A man has been arrested in connection with an antisemitic drive-by shooting that targeted the home of a New Zealand Jewish family in Redlands, California, in December. Read more
Vale Ron Boswell
January 11, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) has extended its sincere condolences to the family of Ron Boswell AO following his passing. Read more
Age and SMH apologise for ‘antisemitic’ Cathy Wilcox cartoon
January 11, 2026 by Rob Klein
The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald have today issued apologies after publishing a controversial cartoon by Cathy Wilcox that addressed the political fallout from the Bondi Beach massacre and prompted widespread claims of antisemitism. Read more
Bushfires force evacuation of Habonim leaders, camp delayed
January 11, 2026 by Rob Klein
Habonim Dror youth movement has been forced to delay the start of its Federal Summer Camp after all leaders were evacuated from the campsite amid worsening bushfire conditions in Victoria, creating what the organisation has described as an urgent and costly situation.
Partisan Song
January 9, 2026 by Anne Sarzin
Partisan Resilience, Resistance, and Revenge Book review by Dr Anne Sarzin Read more
Aussie envoy honoured in Jerusalem for swift ‘Bondi massacre’ response
January 9, 2026 by J-Wire Newsdesk
United Hatzalah leadership rolled out the red carpet this week for Australian Chargé d’affaires Lyndall Sachs, honouring the diplomat for her “pivotal role” in the wake of the devastating Chanukah massacre at Bondi Beach. Read more
Litvak or Chassid?
January 9, 2026 by Jeremy Rosen
Someone close to me explained why he thought I was so dismissive, particularly of religious views I did not agree with. Read more
Blast off
January 9, 2026 by Michael Kuttner
Most commentators suspected that 2026 was going to be action-packed, but hardly anyone predicted that it would blast off in such a spectacular fashion. Read more
Iran protests sweep nation despite internet shutdown
January 9, 2026 by Associated Press
Iran’s regime has cut off communications in a bid to stem anti-government unrest gripping the country, while the exiled shah’s son calls for more protests. Read more
Segal condemns Wilcox cartoon as Jewish leaders warn of antisemitic tropes
January 9, 2026 by Rob Klein
Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, has added her voice to criticism of a recent cartoon by Cathy Wilcox.
Three times a day at Bondi Beach, a rabbi helps a community grieve
January 9, 2026 by Rob Klein
In the days after the Bondi Beach massacre, as mourners arrived with flowers and stood quietly in front of the memorial at Bondi Pavillion, Rabbi Yossi Friedman sensed that many people wanted to grieve but did not quite know how.
Writers’ mass exodus after festival bans Palestinian
January 9, 2026 by AAP
Dozens of authors have withdrawn from a major Australian festival over a decision to remove its only Palestinian writer because of “cultural sensitivities”. Read more
Madama Butterfly………just magnificent
January 9, 2026 by Victor Grynberg
An opera review by Victor Grynberg Read more
Antisemitism envoy says Bondi royal commission can drive change
January 9, 2026 by AAP
A royal commission examining the Bondi terror attack can drive meaningful change across Australian society, the nation’s special envoy to combat antisemitism says, as political pressure builds for federal ministers to be called to account.
Writers’ festival drops Palestinian-Australian author
January 8, 2026 by AAP
The board of a major festival has cancelled the appearance of a prominent Palestinian author citing ‘cultural sensitivity’ following the Bondi terror attack. Read more
Jewish community welcomes announcement of royal commission into antisemitism
Australia’s peak Jewish organisations have welcomed the federal government’s decision to establish a Commonwealth Royal Commission into antisemitism and the circumstances leading to the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. They described the move as a necessary national response to unprecedented levels of hatred directed at Jewish Australians.
Over 10,000 hospital beds unprotected against rocket attacks, Israeli report warns
January 8, 2026 by Pesach Benson
More than half of Israel’s hospital beds lack adequate protection from rocket and missile attacks, exposing patients and medical staff to grave danger and raising doubts about the healthcare system’s ability to function during prolonged conflict, according to a sharply critical State Comptroller report released Tuesday. Read more
Shabbat Shemot
January 8, 2026 by Jeremy Rosen
Netanyahu calls for calm after Israeli bus kills boy
January 7, 2026 by Associated Press
Israel’s government fears tensions could spiral out of control after a bus driver ran over a teenager during a protest by the Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem. Read more
Defence, security leaders join royal commission call
January 7, 2026 by AAP
Australia’s defence and national security leaders are calling for a royal commission into antisemitism as Anthony Albanese leaves the door open to the inquiry. Read more
Pressure to widen the net on anti-vilification laws
January 7, 2026 by AAP
The LGBTQI+ community and supporters are calling for hate speech laws to protect all minorities while acknowledging the need to crack down on antisemitism. Read more
Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed and Sydney rabbi visit Rebbe’s resting place
January 7, 2026 by Yoni Brown
Fresh off the 22-hour flight from Sydney to New York, Ahmed al-Ahmed and Rabbi Yehoram Ulman paused on Tuesday morning to pray together at the Ohel, the resting place of the Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—in Queens. Read more
Israeli hailed as hero granted permanent residency
January 7, 2026 by Rob Klein
Gefen Bitton, a 30-year-old Israeli national who was seriously injured while helping others during the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in December 2024, has been granted permanent residency in Australia as he continues his recovery in Sydney.
Man facing Nazi symbol charges asks to leave country
A man accused of displaying Nazi symbols has been caught in a tug of war between prosecutors and immigration authorities after he sought removal from Australia. Read more
Light in the darkness: ‘Sunnukiah’ finds new meaning after Bondi terror attack
January 7, 2026 by Rob Klein
At around 3 am on 15 December, Rabbi Mendy Litzman of Hatzolah was driving home from hospital. He had spent hours helping victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack the previous evening.
Waverley Council to join growing national call for Bondi terror royal commission
Waverley Council will move to formally call for a Commonwealth Royal Commission into antisemitism and the events leading up to the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Law Council joins growing coalition calling for royal commission into Bondi attack
January 6, 2026 by Rob Klein
Australia’s peak legal body has backed calls for a federal royal commission into the Bondi Beach terror attack and the rise in antisemitism, adding fresh weight to mounting pressure on the Albanese government.
