By: Fern Sidman

In an era marked by rising antisemitism, political polarization, and wrenching international strife, moments of moral clarity still emerge — brief beacons of shared humanity that cut through a fracturing world. The New York Post reported that on Wednesday night in Midtown Manhattan, such a moment unfolded as Ahmed Al-Ahmed, the Syrian-born Australian hailed worldwide for his courageous intervention during the fatal Bondi Beach terror attack, was honored at the annual Colel Chabad International Awards Gala. Among the evening’s most resonant moments was the presentation of the “Light Will Win” honor by billionaire investor and philanthropist Bill Ackman, eloquently underscoring how one man’s bravery can become a galvanizing symbol for resistance against hate, darkness, and fear.

The Bondi Beach attack on December 14, 2025 — a brutal assault on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney — left at least 15 people dead and roughly 40 wounded in what became the deadliest antisemitic mass shooting in Australia’s history. Al-Ahmed, a 43-year-old father of two and a shopkeeper by trade, was among the bystanders who intervened. Despite being shot five times himself, he tackled one of the gunmen and wrested his weapon, clearly acting to protect the innocent rather than exact revenge.

As The New York Post report detailed, Al-Ahmed repeatedly downplayed his heroism, insisting his actions were simply fulfilling a “duty as a human being.” “I do my duty. I’m helping and saving … It felt like my duty as a human being. Helping, keeping people safe,” he told The Post during the gala.

What might have been a somber award ceremony instead became an electric celebration of courage and resilience. The gala — hosted by Colel Chabad, one of the oldest operating charities affiliated with the Jewish community — brought together Jewish leaders, survivors of the Bondi tragedy, philanthropists, and dignitaries. Among them was Bill Ackman, whose presence and remarks served not only to honor Al-Ahmed but to articulate a broader message about universal values, moral resolve, and the imperative to confront hatred wherever it arises.

Standing before several hundred attendees, Ackman presented Al-Ahmed with a professionally crafted gold menorah, its inscription professing that “Light Will Win.” As reported by The New York Post and corroborated by multiple eyewitness accounts, Ackman’s voice carried a mixture of conviction and emotion: “Jews are 0.2 percent of the world. So seeing someone step forward on behalf of people he didn’t know, to risk his own life, and the calculus of going after a guy with a gun… It’s really one of the great acts of heroism,” Ackman declared.

The menorah, Ackman explained, was more than an honorific gift: it represented endurance, courage, persistence, and — most importantly — life and light in the darkness. Those were not merely ceremonial words; they reflected a profound conviction that in a world buffeted by hatred, the human capacity to protect, to stand, and to uphold shared dignity remains one of the most potent forces for good.

Ackman’s remarks were accompanied by a heartfelt contribution of $180,000 to Colel Chabad in Al-Ahmed’s honor, reinforcing the evening’s message that bravery and charity are intrinsically linked.

For Al-Ahmed, the journey from Bondi Beach to Broadway was as physical as it was spiritual. After surviving multiple surgeries in Sydney and coping with the partial loss of function in his fingers, he flew to New York with Rabbi Yehoram Ulman of Chabad of Bondi — whose son-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was among the victims of the massacre. At the gala, Al-Ahmed appeared still recovering, his arm in a sling and his resolve undimmed.

“Honestly, there’s a pain… my fingers stopped. They’re not working, but it’ll be all right… I need time,” he told The Post as he reflected on his injuries and metastatic recovery path. Despite these difficulties, his message remained consistent: he acted not out of hate but to save life.

Before the gala, Al-Ahmed visited the Ohel Chabad Lubavitch in Queens, paying respects at one of New York’s most venerated Jewish sites. Photographs of him wearing a kippah — a symbol of reverence and humility — underscored a shared spiritual connection with the community he defended.

As recognized by The New York Post, attendees at the gala were deeply moved by Al-Ahmed’s presence. Survivors of the attack and family members of victims expressed appreciation not just for what he did at Bondi Beach, but for what his bravery represents to Jewish communities facing hostility around the world. One attendee, who traveled from San Diego, encapsulated the sentiment while speaking to The Post: “He’s a big hero for me… he saved many people.”

Rabbi Ulman himself delivered a piercing address, confronting the reality of the attack while asserting that the community’s response must be rooted in faith and unyielding moral courage. He declared that while “evil” had been done, the community’s holy work would not be diminished. As he said, “the darkness will not win,” reinforcing an ethos that mirrored the menorah’s light motif.

The significance of this gala extends beyond Jewish communal lines. In honoring Al-Ahmed, the assembled Jewish leaders, philanthropists like Ackman, and survivors of tragedy acknowledged something profound: there is still a broad arc of decency that transcends religion, nationality, and history. A Muslim man saved Jewish lives — not out of cultural affiliation, but because he recognized them as human lives deserving of protection. That simple yet radical affirmation is precisely why his actions have become a global touchstone.

As The New York Post and other outlets have reported, this narrative has captured international attention, shaping public understanding of what heroism looks like in an age too often defined by division. The story of Ahmed Al-Ahmed is not merely one of bravery in the face of terror — it is a testament to the enduring possibility that, when confronted with hatred, ordinary people can choose light over darkness.

Bill Ackman’s presence at the gala was more than a ceremonial flourish. It was an emphatic reinforcement of the evening’s core message: that courage, compassion, and shared humanity still matter deeply in a frayed world. The investment he made — both symbolic through the menorah, and material through his financial support — amplified that message across a global stage.

For Jewish communities in New York, Sydney, and beyond, this gala was a moment of collective affirmation. Standing ovations, heartfelt tributes, and international media coverage — including by The New York Post — underscored that even amid deep sorrow, moments of unity and light remain possible.

Above all, Ahmed Al-Ahmed’s story serves as a reminder: in the face of darkness, light will win — not by default, but by the choices of individuals courageous enough to stand up for life.