The daughter of a man hailed as a hero during the Bondi Junction stabbing attack has joined the Australian branch of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), transforming personal tragedy into a public campaign against hatred.
Her decision comes after her father was killed while attempting to stop a deadly stabbing spree in Sydney’s Bondi Junction shopping center, an attack that shocked Australia and reverberated around the world. His actions, widely recognized as heroic, saved lives in the midst of chaos.
Now, his daughter is stepping forward with a clear message: the hatred that fuels such violence must be confronted before it manifests in bloodshed.
“My father ran toward the bullets so others could run away,” Gutnick said. “The least I can do is run foward to combat the hate and strengthen Jewish pride.”
Natan Sharansky, Chair of the CAM Global Advisory Board, stated, “At a time when antisemitism is evolving into a challenge that increasingly manifests at the local level, in our cities, communities, and public institutions, the response must also be rooted in local leadership. In Australia, this means empowering local councils and mayors to take responsibility and act with clarity and resolve.”
”The Combat Antisemitism Movement in Australia is building exactly this kind of framework, one that brings local government to the forefront of the fight against antisemitism, translating awareness into concrete policies and community action,” Sharansky emphasized. “I warmly welcome Sheina to this effort. Her voice, shaped by both personal resilience and moral conviction, is uniquely positioned to engage and inspire local leaders across Australia. Her role in working with local councils and mayors will be critical in ensuring that the fight against antisemitism is not abstract, but practical, coordinated, and deeply embedded in everyday civic life.”
CAM Director of Australian Affairs Yigal Nisell said, “After the horrific murder of her beloved father Reuven at Bondi Beach, Sheina decided she could not remain silent, and she has emerged as a powerful young voice advocating against the hate that stole his life. We are so honored and fortunate she chose CAM as her platform to serve as a light in the darkness, and we look forward to seeing the impact she’ll have in the fight for the future of Australian Jewry.”
In joining CAM Australia, she is lending both her voice and her personal story to a growing effort to combat rising antisemitism and broader forms of extremism in Australian society. Her advocacy is rooted not only in grief, but in a determination to ensure that others do not experience the same loss.
The move comes amid increasing concern over antisemitism in Australia, particularly in the wake of global tensions following the October 7 attacks and subsequent regional conflicts. Jewish communities across the country have reported heightened hostility, harassment, and threats, mirroring trends seen across Europe and North America.
CAM, which operates internationally to monitor, expose, and combat antisemitism, has expanded its presence in Australia in response to these developments. The organization works with lawmakers, educators, and civil society groups to promote awareness, strengthen policy responses, and challenge extremist narratives.
Her involvement adds a powerful human dimension to these efforts.
Australia, long seen as a relatively stable and tolerant society, is increasingly confronting the reality that it is not immune to the global rise in antisemitism. Incidents ranging from vandalism and online abuse to physical threats have raised alarm among community leaders and policymakers alike.
Her decision to step into the public sphere reflects a broader trend of individuals directly affected by violence choosing to engage in advocacy, seeking to transform personal loss into societal change.
In doing so, she is helping to bridge the gap between tragedy and action.
The message at the heart of her work is simple but urgent: hatred, if left unchallenged, does not remain abstract. It manifests in real-world consequences, often with devastating human cost.
By joining CAM Australia, she is ensuring that her father’s final act of courage will not be remembered only as a moment of heroism, but as a catalyst for continued resistance against the forces that made such an act necessary in the first place.