In the aftermath of the shooting of 11 Jewish Hanukkah celebrants at Bondi Beach in Australia, Chabad of Westport Rabbi Yehuda Kantor and his wife Dina say:
The news out of Sydney has us shocked to the core.
As you may know I was born in Sydney, in the Bondi region. I’m personally familiar with many of those who were injured, and the Chabad rabbi to boot. It’s truly shocking. A very dark day.
Yet whilst it’s a dark day — tonight we usher in a night of light. The Festival of Light.
At times, it’s difficult to reconcile the evil that exists in this world with the inherent good that underpins this world. The heaviness and despondency that accompanies evil acts shatters our sense of security and balance which leaves us reeling.
Ironically, yet not so ironic, the very message of Chanukah is the counterbalance — setting the record straight. Eight days that imparts and empowers the truth of life. Light prevails over darkness. Goodness trounces every element of darkness at the core.
Tonight we will gather to light the menorah. We must do it with even greater strength. We must do so with a sense of purpose and mission. We must recognize that evil has no place and the only way to confront it is with strength, joy and determination.
Effectively, we are the ambassadors of this message to the world, and Chanukah is the headquarters of this message. It’s therefore imperative to stand tall and proud, resolute and fearless with a message to the world — light and goodness will always prevail!!
If you’re available come out, join us tonight as we light a 6-foot ice menorah and celebrate, dance, cry and laugh (5:30 p.m. ice carving will take place; 6 p.m. will be the lighting).
But if you’re up to it, let’s go even one step further: join our car menorah parade (5 p.m. around Westport, with police accompaniment) — telling the message in a proud and loud manner.
Please let us know you’ll be joining — email mendel@chabadofwestport.com, or click here and scroll down.
Together we shall prevail, and we shall prosper!
“Light the World With Hope” (Diane Yormark’s handmade ceramic menorah).
I’m told for a menorah to be religiously accurate it must be in a straight line.
really?
Jeez Tom- never a nice thing to say about anything posted here.
Maybe keep your negatives to yourself eh?
Acts of insanity and hatred in Australia and at Brown University!!
Hi Tom- I found this on the Straight Line? The tradition stems from the menorah in the Temple 2000 years ago, which had straight branches similar to the one pictured above. But, while a straight line is optimal for fulfilling the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukiah (The Chanukah Menorah), variations are permitted as long as the distinctness of each light is maintained.
No snakes 🐍 😜
Beautiful menorah, Diane. Happy Hanukkah to all
and don’t neglect to thank in your services the 1 man not part of the religious services who risked his life to put a full stop to that act of terrorism-jihad in AUS. as horrible as it was it could have been – unbelievably – even worse if he hadn’t been willing to risk his own life for so many others, he could have cowered, he could have run away for his own safety.
Ahmed Al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Muslim man, who tackled and disarmed one of the assailants.
And you forgot the part about him being a HERO and saving so many others from a tragic and twisted Father and Son….so hateful!
Thank you Dan for summing up all of our feelings, we keep praying that people could be kind to each other and respect one another’s traditions. Beautifully written Dan. Thank you!
Thanks, Marilyn, but I didn’t write it. It’s from the Chabad rabbi, Yehuda Kantor. I just passed it along.
Be Kind, be kind, be kind. Some comments are so pathetic and vibrate at the lowest human level possible.
I hope the light of Hanukkah can raise the vibration of people with no empathy for others and can spread love into their hearts. That sure would be a wonderful worthwhile miracle of Hanukkah. 🕎 I believe that even people with no empathy, have a Divine spark in them that we can ignite by continuing to shine our light through the darkness. May all who were at that unthinkably horrific attack in Sydney get the help they need as well as all the students and faculty at Brown University.
Shine your light. 💖🎶💖 The world needs us!
Thanks for posting the Rabbi’s statement Dan.
Thank you Dan for posting this and thank you to Rabbi Kantor for expressing so eloquently what many of us are feeling. I’m out of town and will not be at the Memorable lighting but the Jewish Community needs the support of the whole community. Hopefully someday we will again see less Antisemitism and violence towards Jews but we are certainly far from that today.
Attacking people celebrating a religious holiday is indefensible, and my thoughts are with the victims, their families, and beyond. No one should ever fear gathering peacefully or expressing their faith.
I also fear that this tragedy will be used to shut down broader conversations about human rights, or worse, to justify ongoing atrocities. We’ve already seen rhetoric by some outspoken commentators in past discussions where acts like this are invoked to excuse collective punishment and extreme violence. Condemning this attack does not conflict with continuing to speak out for the rights and dignity of Palestinians, including those in Gaza who are living under devastating conditions marked by famine and mass civilian suffering.
Agreed Ryan. Nor does it conflict with continuing to speak out for the rights and dignity of Jews across the globe, regardless of where they may be, to live without fear of terrorists robbing them of their right to self-determination.
We can agree to disagree, Matt. You can support Jewish safety everywhere while also being clear that governments and militaries are not above scrutiny. Self-determination for one group doesn’t cancel out the rights, safety, or humanity of another.
Indeed we agree that governments and militaries are are not above scrutiny. It’s the information sources relied upon to conduct this scrutiny, conclusions reached and inconsistent applications across governments and militaries (most notably our own) that’s at issue. As well as the one-sided application of your second sentence.
I understand the importance of credible sources and consistency, and I agree those matter in any serious discussion. You keep invoking “sources” and “consistency” without naming a single false claim, which isn’t scrutiny, it’s a dodge. Calling for accountability everywhere except where you’re emotionally or politically invested is the inconsistency here.
Your conspiracy theory around AIPAC being responsible for JFK’s assassination is completely bogus.
And right back at ya when it comes to your clear emotional involvement around the USS Liberty incident.
To those who celebrate may the light shine on you and may the memories of those in Australia be a blessing.
What sources do you suggest Mr. Pincus?