Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 15 December 2025

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

At least 15 killed in mass shooting at Hanukkah event on Sydney’s Bondi Beach

Authorities in Sydney, Australia are reporting a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach that occurred on December 14^th. With preliminary information indicating that two gunmen opened fire on a large “Chanukah by the Sea” event on the first evening of Hanukkah, killing at least 15–16 people of varied ages and injuring dozens more, including police officers. One attacker, described by police as a 50-year-old father, was killed by police at the scene, while his 24-year-old son was wounded and remains hospitalized. The hero who tackled the gunman was a Syrian Muslim who was able to stop the attack from escalating further. Explosive devices were found and rendered safe near the scene.

Authorities have thus far treated the incident as an antisemitic terrorist attack, though investigations into motive and potential broader connections are ongoing and details remain preliminary. The bloody attack occurred at one of Sydney’s busiest public spaces and has prompted international condemnation, heightened security at Jewish events globally, and fresh debate in Australia about gun laws and community safety; more complete information on the perpetrators, motives, and consequences is expected in the coming days as the investigation continues.

Analyst Comments: The Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting underscores enduring threat patterns facing Jewish and other faith-based organizations, particularly during religious holidays when gatherings are predictable, attendance is higher, and events carry strong symbolic significance. From an operational perspective, this risk is especially relevant as thousands of public Chanukah candle-lighting ceremonies are taking place across the United States in the coming week, many of them held outdoors in open, public spaces for broad community participation. Menorahs are often left standing in public view for the full eight-day holiday and have historically been frequent targets of vandalism and intimidation, further increasing exposure.

This incident also fits within a broader, heightened global threat environment targeting Jewish communities since October 2023, marked by sustained increases in antisemitic violence, harassment, and threat activity that often intensify around high-visibility events. While there is no indication at this stage that the attackers were operationally linked to a wider network, the threat to these ceremonies, their participants, and the Jewish community at large remains amorphous and multidirectional, emanating from across the ideological spectrum including extremists on the left or right, Islamists, racists, neo-Nazis, nihilists, and other violent actors. In this context, and with condolences appropriately expressed, faith communities are encouraged to balance visible security and preparedness measures with calm, reassuring communication, reinforcing awareness, access control, and coordination with local authorities during holiday periods.

Additional Resources.

• CISA: Active Shooter Preparedness
• CISA: Suspicious Activity and Items
• CISA: Protecting Houses of Worship
• Secure Community Network: Joint Statement via X

FB-ISAO is issuing a new Security Advisory in response to the recent Hanukkah-related attack and is seeking member input and collaboration as the situation continues to develop. If you would like to read the advisory and be part of shaping future guidance, consider joining FB-ISAO and participating in this shared security effort.

‘F*** the Jews’: Gunman fires 20 bullets into Jewish family’s hanukkah-decorated home in California

A Jewish family’s home in California that was decorated for Hanukkah came under a violent antisemitic attack when a gunman fired about 20 bullets at the house from his car with no reports of injuries, according to door-cam footage. During the shooting, the suspect shouted antisemitic slurs as he opened fire on the residence. The attack illustrates a disturbing act of hate targeting the Jewish community in the United States amid broader concerns about rising antisemitism globally like the Bondi Beach shooting.

Analyst Comments: Experts and advocacy groups are likely to view this attack not as an isolated incident but as part of a broader surge in antisemitic violence and hostility that has been documented across the United States in recent years. Data from the FBI and major Jewish organizations, show that antisemitic hate crimes have reached record levels, with anti-Jewish incidents making up a disproportionate share of religion-based hate crimes despite Jews comprising only about 2 % of the U.S. population.

Resources: How to Protect Your Property from Vandalism

The Gate 15 Interview EP 65: Yearned ISAC Extravaganza!

The Gate 15 Interview is a monthly interview between Gate 15’s Founder and Managing Director, Andy Jabbour and guests from throughout the homeland security risk management community addressing a wide range of all-hazards topics and issues.

• The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (CISA 2015), it’s recent and potential lapse and how it impacted cyber threat information sharing and collaboration.
• The recent and potentially upcoming federal government shutdown and how the ISACs operated and were impacted.
• From the TribalNet Cybersecurity Summit to the Natural Gas Exercise 2026 (NGX-2026), operationalizing AI, and growing critical global partnerships – the group discusses some of the many things that they’re excited about heading into 2026

Information on other Gate 15 podcasts can be found at Podcasts (gate15.global).