May God bless you in the coming year!
Deut 28:1-14
VISION
A few weeks ago, Barbara saw the pendulum swing back in favour of Jewish Australians after Bondi as middle Australia and leading figures came out in support. Antisemitic proponents will attempt to regain ground but they certainly lost ground at Bondi.
Barbara also saw that, as surf board riders need to catch the wave at the right time, we (IFI Int) have developed antisemitism education for primary schools at the right time to catch the wave of support for its implementation. Let us know if you can help get it into schools.
Where to After Bondi?
Australia changed dramatically on Dec 14 with the massacre of 15 people, 14 of them Jewish, at the Chanukah By the Sea event at Bondi Beach, Sydney. The Jewish community had been warning the government of the possibility of a mass casualty event with the rise of antisemitism since Oct 7. This included the firebombing of the Adass Yisrael synagogue and too many other incidents to mention.
Dr Mike Kelly is one of two key speakers for our IFI International zoom seminar on the topic “Where to After Bondi?” on 16 Feb 7pm Sydney time. The other speaker is being finalized.He is currently Adjunct Professor at the National Security Institute of the University of Canberra.
Mike is also one of the founding Co-Conveners of Labor Friends of Israel, established late 2023. He served in the Australian Army, including deployments in Somalia, Bosnia, Timor Leste, Iraq and a hostage recovery mission in Africa. He served as Director of UN, NATO, Europe, Peacekeeping, the Middle East and Africa in the ADF Strategy Group, including managing the crises in Timor Leste and Lebanon in 2006.
Mike was a member of the Australian Parliament serving as Assistant Minister for Defence, including responsibility for the transition of operations in Afghanistan, and as Minister for Defence Materiel. He was also a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. So he is amazingly well qualified and in demand. We will have a flyer out soon so you can register. Please let others know this is coming up.
The video shows the lighting of the menorah. Norman and Barbara Miller of Indigenous Friends of Israel International lit the 4th candle. The 8th candle was fittingly lit by a 10 year old girl on behalf of the children in memory of Matilda, the 10 year-old tragically killed at Bondi Beach on Dec 14. Norman was asked to speak to the crowd that had gathered outside an hour before the event to show support, sing and share.
The City of Cairns gathered to support the Jewish community for an event on the last day of Chanukah and Norman and Barbara were invited to share but attended the Brisbane event instead at the invitation of Jason Steinberg, the President of the Qld Jewish Board of Deputies to light the menorah along with others. About 1500 attended a very moving event. Similar events were held all round Australia.
Moving messages were given in Brisbane by:
- Jason Steinberg: President, Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies (QJBD)
- Adrian Schrinner: Brisbane Lord Mayor
- David Crisafulli: Queensland Premier
- Steven Miles: Opposition Leader
- Archbishop Shane Mackinlay
- Archbishop Jeremy Greaves
- Imam Uzair Akbar: Holland Park Mosque
- Hesam Orouji: Representing the Iranian community
- Gail Paratz OAM: QJBD Interfaith Chair
- Rabbi Jaffe: Led Memorial Prayers
- David Paratz AM: Led the menorah lighting
The event also featured music by Cantor Greg Hurwitz and a video tribute accompanied by Dr. Courtenay Cleary.
Top – Solidarity event Brisbane, Bottom left – Barbara and Norman in front row, Right – Candles and flags at Brisbane event.
We are grateful so many Australians from all walks of life called for a Royal Commission after Bondi and Albo finally caved in. Here was our contribution. He also belatedly and reluctantly issued an apology of sorts.
PRESS RELEASE – Don’t Blame Me: Albo Refuses Royal Commission 30.12.25.
“We are joining the call for a federal Royal Commission re the Bondi Beach massacre on 14.12.25, the first night of Chanukah when the Jewish community was gunned down by ISIS-inspired terrorists,” said Norman and Barbara Miller, Co-founders of Indigenous Friends of Israel International Foundation.
“The refusal by PM Albanese to set up a Royal Commission despite calls by the families of those killed and injured at Bondi Beach, and a host of eminent Australians from the judiciary, national security, law enforcement, Jewish leadership and former MP’s is scandalous and is adding fuel to the fire of a rage burning in Australia that could see the Prime Minister’s downfall.
“Instead, Albanese is setting up a law enforcement and intelligence review that does not mention antisemitism or Jews or previous attacks on Jews, and does not include hate speech, hate preachers or pro-Palestinian protests featuring the flags or photos of leaders of terror groups. This will not cut it.
We need to get to the root causes of antisemitism and how it was allowed to escalate to the massacre at Bondi. The government needs to face its inadequate response, indifference and its own role in fanning the flames that led to Bondi. Albo’s don’t blame me won’t cut it either.
“At least Premier Chris Minns is showing some leadership by setting up a NSW Royal Commission but it will not have wide enough powers and all states need to be looked at. The fact that Jewish security asked for more police at the Bondi event – a no-brainer – and didn’t get it is shocking.
“PM Albanese’s excuse for not holding a Royal Commission shows he is fearful of the outcome. He said, ‘Royal Commissions can be good at deciding facts … (they are) not as good to consider things that are not agreed, where people have differences of views.’
“Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said it would further challenge our social cohesion. It would ‘provide a public platform for some of the worst statements and worst voices, to effectively relive some of the worst examples of antisemitism over the last two years.’ But the truth needs to come out and the Jewish community have said they need it to feel safe.
“Sheina Gutnik, the daughter of Reuven Morrison, led the efforts of the families of victims of Bondi to write a joint statement to the Prime Minister calling for a Royal Commission and she told The Australian:
“’It’s the absolute audacity for them to come out and tell us how we are going to feel about this. It’s incomprehensible on Albanese, trying to dictate what is going to traumatise us. Let’s take these steps to ensure that there will be no further trauma.’”
The Millers continued, “PM Albanese thought he and Foreign Minister Penny Wong could criticize Israel unfairly and with impunity and not lead to serious consequences for Jewish Australians and not draw accusations of culpability for the Bondi Beach massacre. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke thought he could bring in 3,000 Gazans and some ISIS brides to keep his Muslim voters onside without affecting social cohesion in Australia,”
“Albo was caught on the backfoot and was like a deer in the headlights. Despite numerous warnings from the Jewish community and national security agencies he took little action and now plans an inquiry into national security and law enforcement agencies as window dressing and a cover for his own performance.
“Our hearts grieve with the Jewish community who have been exemplary citizens of Australia and deserve protection, admiration, respect and love. Australia will never be the same again just as Israel will never be the same again after Oct 7. However, many good-hearted Australians have come out of the woodwork to show support and care for our Jewish neighbours. We hope this will continue. It should not take a horrific tragedy to bring it, but we have reached a turning point in facing and dealing with antisemitism in Australia. Let’s make sure we are up to the task.”
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National Day of Mourning
Australia observed a National Day of Mourning on Thursday, 22 January 2026, to honour the 15 victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. The day, themed “Light will win,” featured a special event at the Sydney Opera House which reclaimed it from the horrific pro-Palestinian protest on Oct 9, 2023, flags at half-mast on government buildings, a national minute’s silence at 7:01 pm AEDT, and the lighting of 15 “Pillars of Light” or monuments. Also the Jewish community encouraged Australians to do “mitzvahs” or acts of kindness. Australians were encouraged to light a candle and put it in your window (as we did).
Last Hostage Returned Home
After 843 days, the last of 251 hostages brutally kidnapped both dead and alive on Oct 7 into Gaza from Israel. Ran Gvili was a 24year old off duty policeman with a broken shoulder who raced to the frontline on Oct 7 to help and was killed. He has returned a hero and for the first time, Israel has no hostages in Gaza since 2014.
Amazingly, this happened while we commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance day on 27 January. Now Israel reopened the border between Gaza and Egypt and phase 2 of the Trump peace deal can be put into effect.
Like us, many supporters worldwide removed our yellow badges and necklaces calling for the return of the hostages. It was a sombre moment as Ran’s funeral was held but a great relief to hostage families and supporters that all are home.
Video of us removing our hostage badges HERE
Sky News documentary
Must see: Sky News documentary, “Bondi: A Timeline of Terror”, will air on Tuesday, February 24th at 7.30pm. Sharri Markson interviews some of those shot who have not been interviewed before and the parents of 10 year old Matilda who feels betrayed by the government. And much more.
Antisemitism Education Taskforce
A 12-month Antisemitism Education Taskforce, chaired by David Gonski AC was announced on the 18 December 2025. The Taskforce forms part of the Australian Government’s response to the Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism. It will consider actions to help the Australian education system “prevent, tackle and properly respond to antisemitism”.
When the massacre occurred at Bondi and Albo was faced with accusations of culpability for lack of action and even stoking antisemitism, he had to admit he had not yet responded 6 months on to the recommendations of Jillian Segal, the Special Envoy on Antisemitism. So it is welcome that this taskforce has been set up.
We approached them to put in a submission but they were not ready to receive them yet.
Gofundme for Schools Antisemitism Education
There is currently no dedicated, age-appropriate antisemitism education in Australian primary schools—only optional anti racism or holocaust or multicultural education. Please help us while we now move on to prepare materials for secondary schools specifically on antisemitism and work on primary school implementation. See more and provide support HERE
Our expert curriculum writer Shoshana Linnane has developed 10-week modules for Grades 1-2, Grades 3-4, and 5-6. The modules foster empathy, compassion, and respect for diversity through activities like art, music, and drama, and align with the national curriculum. We want all children to grow up in safe, inclusive communities where they learn to treat others fairly and without discrimination.
If you believe in building a future where every child feels valued and racism has no place, please consider supporting our fundraiser. Even a small contribution or sharing this opportunity to help would make a difference.
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