After Bondi Beach Massacre
Aryeh Kunstler Releases Haunting Cover of 'Habet MiShamayim URe'eh' | WATCH
Kunstler: "This reel was filmed a few weeks ago and I was planning on putting it out after all of the Chanukah reels I had prepared to post. But after [the] terrorist attack in Sydney I felt it was appropriate to post it."
Popular Jewish music artist Aryeh Kunstler has released a heartfelt cover of the classic song "Habeit MiShamayim U'Re'eh" (Look Down from Heaven and See), timed poignantly just days after the devastating terrorist attack at a Chabad Hanukkah event on Sydney's Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives.
The song, originally composed by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach z"l and often sung during times of communal distress and prayer for Divine intervention, has long resonated in moments of Jewish tragedy.
Kunstler's rendition, featuring his signature soulful vocals and acoustic arrangement, was shared on social media and streaming platforms with a dedication to the victims and survivors of the Bondi massacre.
In a brief statement accompanying the release, Kunstler wrote: "In these dark times, after the horrific attack in Australia, we turn our eyes heavenward. May Hashem look down, see our pain, and bring healing, protection, and light to Am Yisrael."
The timing of the cover has struck a deep chord within the Jewish community worldwide, as families mourn the loss of community members, including a Chabad rabbi, and grapple with rising antisemitism. Many listeners have shared that the song's plea for heavenly compassion feels especially urgent amid the shock and grief following the December 14 attack.
Kunstler, known for hits like "V'ahavta" and albums blending traditional niggunim with contemporary styles, has a history of using his music to uplift during challenging periods. Fans quickly praised the release as a source of comfort and solidarity.
As Hanukkah continues, many are turning to Kunstler's rendition in tefillot and gatherings, echoing the timeless cry: "Habeit miShamayim u're'eh ki hayinu la'ag v'keles b'goyim" – Look down from heaven and see how we have become an object of scorn and derision among the nations.
The track is now available on YouTube, Spotify, and other platforms.