We are family friends of Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, a devoted husband and father of four young children.

On Sunday evening, Yaakov was murdered at Bondi Beach while helping organise the “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration. He was doing what he always did, quietly making sure everything ran smoothly for the Sydney community.

Yaakov was just 39 years old. His senseless killing has left an irreplaceable void. He was a profoundly beloved and active member of the Sydney Jewish community, known for his kindness, humility, and tireless commitment to helping others.

He was a man of quiet devotion. The kind who solved problems before anyone knew there was a problem. The late-night phone calls, the details handled without recognition, the responsibility he carried without ever asking for thanks. Things “just worked” because of Yaakov, and only now, in his absence, do we truly feel how much he carried.

Yaakov was the cornerstone of his family. A devoted husband to Adina and an extraordinary father to their four young children. His loss has shattered their world.

As Adina’s friend Barbie shared:

“On the last day of school, I overheard Adina telling someone, ‘You are such a good mum.’ As we walked to our cars, I said, ‘Adina… YOU are such a good mum.’ They were the most wholesome family you could ever meet — always laughing, always joking.

If Adina was having a hard week, Yaakov would turn up at school with a coffee. If there was a tech problem, or any problem, Adina would say, ‘Yaakov can fix this.’ And of course, he always could. He was her everything.”

Even now, as organisations scramble to coordinate funeral arrangements and logistics, community members keep saying the same thing: “Yaakov would have taken care of that.”

He would have. Quietly, efficiently, and without fanfare.

We must now rally around the Levitan family as they face unimaginable grief while raising four young children without their husband and father. They have lost their primary source of strength and support, and they urgently need both immediate and long-term assistance.

Transparency & Fund Distribution

This fundraiser has been created by family friends at the direct request of the Levitan family.

Adina Levitan, Yaakov Levitan’s wife, is the intended beneficiary of all funds raised.

All donations will be distributed directly to Adina Levitan through Chai – A Charitable Foundation, which is the listed beneficiary on this fundraiser. Chai will manage the transfer of funds to ensure they are delivered safely.

The funds will be used to support Adina and her children’s immediate and ongoing needs, including housing and the costs associated with raising and caring for the children.

Thank you for standing with the Levitan family during this heartbreaking time.