At moments like this, words feel small. And yet, silence feels worse.
We are utterly heartbroken by the horrific terrorist attack at a Chabad Chanukah party in Australia, where I am originally from. Thank you to the many who have reached out with concern for my family.
My colleague, Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger, and 14 other precious souls were murdered in cold blood, from ages 10 to 87, and many others were injured while celebrating the sacred tradition of Chanukah. A brutal act of terror has struck our community. Beloved friends have been taken from us. Many are injured, shaken, and traumatized. Families are grieving. Children are frightened. The pain is raw and real.
This evil is unfathomable. It was meant to spread fear. Instead, we will shine brighter.
Tonight, we ask everyone to light a menorah and think of our dear Jewish brothers and sisters, and all the other victims who lost their lives. If you do not have a menorah, please let us know, and we will get you one.
Please pray for the victims, the injured, the traumatized, and their families. Say Tehillim (Psalms). Give Tzedakah (charity). Every act of goodness matters now more than ever.
We want you to know this clearly and without hesitation: We will not withdraw. We will not hide. We will not let fear decide who we are. Light will always prevail over the darkness.
We intend to continue services and programs at Chabad as usual. We need each other. We need community. We need to stand together, visibly, proudly, with strength and faith. We already hosted wonderful events at the mall for families and at Chabad for students yesterday, and we plan to continue through Chanukah.
Please hear this clearly: You are not alone. We are a family, and we are here for you, fully and unconditionally. If you need to talk, please reach out. If you are struggling, confused, angry, numb, or scared, that is all normal. If you know someone who needs extra support, reach out to them or let us know.
Our people have been here before. We cry, we mourn, and then we rise. Together. With faith. With love. With stubborn hope. And we always prevail. We never break.
In the words of Rabbi Schlanger: “In the face of antisemitism, the way forward is to be more Jewish, to act more Jewish, and to appear more Jewish.”
With prayers for all those injured, may the light of Chanukah banish the darkness from our world.
With blessings for much love, strength, and a Happy Chanukah!