14-Year-Old Chabad Girl Hailed as Heroine After Shielding Children During Bondi Beach Terror Attack

The Jewish world continues to grapple with the horror of the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, but amid the tragedy, another powerful story of courage and self-sacrifice has emerged.

Chaya Mushka Dadon, a 14-year-old Chabad girl, was seriously injured during the attack after using her own body to shield two young children whose mothers was injured nearby. Rather than fleeing to safety, Chaya remained with the children, protecting them under fire until first responders arrived. She has since been widely hailed as a true heroine.

The attack took place during the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, where hundreds of Jewish families had gathered to celebrate the public lighting of the Menorah. Two Islamist terrorists, identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveen Akram, 24, opened fire on the crowd. Sixteen people, including Sajid Akram, were killed in the massacre.

According to eyewitness accounts and community reports, Chaya had been taking cover under a bench when she noticed two small children crying and left exposed to danger. Their mother, already injured, was begging for someone to help her children. Without hesitation, Chaya ran toward them and threw herself over their bodies, shielding them as bullets flew. During the attack, Chaya was shot in the leg. Despite her injury, she refused to move, remaining in place to protect the children until emergency services evacuated her to the hospital.

Chaya later shared her experience with members of United Hatzalah’s Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit, who visited her during her recovery. According to Hatzalah, she spoke about the ordeal quietly and without drama, describing her actions as an instinctive response in the terrifying moments. “It was only afterward that the full weight of what she had done became clear,” the organization said.

Chaya’s grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Lieder, said her heroism did not surprise him. “Her instinct was to save lives while these terrorists were killing people. What a contrast,” he said, describing his granddaughter as a “sensitive, gentle soul” who “always wants to make people happy.”

Rabbi Lieder was on his way to the Chanukah celebration when he was alerted to the unfolding attack. Tragically, his nephew, Rabbi Eli Schlanger HY’D, was among those murdered.

“Spreading love and joy and caring for his people with endless self-sacrifice in his life and in his death, he towered above as one of the highest and holiest souls,” Rabbi Lieder said. “This loss is massive for the entire Jewish nation, but for our community here, and for Chabad of Bondi, the loss is unspeakable.”

As Chaya Mushka Dadon continues her recovery, her selfless actions stand as a profound example of mesiras nefesh, embodying the light of Chanukah even in the darkest moments.