The Bondi terror attack on 22 January 2026 left a community in mourning, but one survivor’s story stands out amidst the tragedy. Jessica Rozen, a mother of two, recounts her harrowing experience that day, where she shielded a young girl from the gunfire and emerged with both physical and emotional scars.
Rozen had taken her family to a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, unaware of the horror that was about to unfold. As the festivities were underway, the sound of gunshots shattered the joyous atmosphere. Rozen, separated from her son, found herself in the midst of the chaos, unable to locate him. In a desperate attempt to protect a young girl she encountered, Rozen shielded her with her own body, all the while fearing for the safety of her own children.
“I have never heard a gun before,” Rozen recounts, her voice trembling. “There is another bang, and another. I see someone fall to the ground. I see blood. People are screaming. This is not firework.”
Amidst the pandemonium, Rozen managed to communicate with her husband, who had escaped with their daughter, but the fate of her son remained unknown. It was a harrowing wait until she was reunited with her family, all of whom had miraculously survived the attack.
In the aftermath, Rozen was treated for her injuries, which included cuts, bruises, and a shard of shrapnel embedded near her eyebrow. While her physical wounds have healed, the emotional toll of the experience has been immense.
“I do not know how to live in a world where a parent does not know how to keep their children safe,” Rozen laments. “I could not keep so many people safe. I am so sorry.”
Despite her own trauma, Rozen is quick to praise the heroic actions of others, including the men who shielded women and children, the first responders, and the medical professionals who tended to the wounded. She also pays tribute to the victims, whose names she recites with reverence.
“Bori Gurman. Sofia Gurman. Ahmed al-Ahmed. Gefen Bitton. Reuven Morrison. Scott Dyson. Jack Hibbert. Chaya Dadon. Leibel Lazaroff. Yanky Super. Tash Willemsen,” Rozen says, her voice thick with emotion.
In the wake of this tragedy, Rozen’s message is one of resilience and a call for a gentler, kinder world – one where people listen and care for one another. Her story, a testament to the human spirit, serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones.
