12/15/2025
Dear Friends,
With broken hearts, we all woke up to devastating news from Australia of a horrific terrorist attack that took place earlier today at a public Chanukah Menorah lighting hosted by Chabad in Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia.
Eleven innocent people were murdered and many others injured, among them two dear colleagues and friends, Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yackov Levitan of blessed memory, who dedicated thier lives to spreading Jewish education, pride, joy, and light. The entire Jewish world is in shock and mourning. Our hearts ache for the families of the victims, for the wounded, and for the Jewish community of Sydney. We say Tehillim, we daven (pray) for healing, and we cry out together: enough of this darkness.
This act of hatred was aimed not only at innocent people, but at the very idea of Jewish light, Jewish presence, and Jewish pride. It is chilling to realize that this senseless violence, the horrific attack that took place in Bondi Beach, was intended to disrupt what should have been the first public Menorah lighting in the world this Chanukah. It was meant to spread fear, to make Jews hesitate before gathering, singing, or shining openly.
And yet, the message of Chanukah could not be more clear.
Our response to darkness and evil is more light.
Our response to fear is unity and strength.
Our response to hatred is Jewish pride, joy, and action.
In the teachings of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, who pioneered public Menorah lightings around the world, we state clearly and unequivocally:
We are not canceling a single Chanukah event. On the contrary, our Chanukah celebrations will continue, with strength, dignity, and resolve.
Over the coming days (see below), we look forward to gathering as a community for our planned Chanukah events, including:
Monday at 4:30 PM:
Annual Fredericksburg Chanukah Celebration at the Marketplatz
Wednesday 5:30 PM:
Annual Boerne Chanukah Celebration at the Main Plaza.
We want to reassure everyone that the safety of our community is our highest priority. We are in close and coordination with all local and state law enforcement agencies, including the Boerne & Fredericksburg Police Department, Kendall, Kerr & Gillespie County Sheriff’s Offices, and the FBI as well as our own security committee. All appropriate security and safety measures are firmly in place, and we are deeply grateful to our law enforcement partners for their professionalism, vigilance, and continued support in keeping all citizens safe.
We ask you, now more than ever, to come out, stand together, and be counted. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring your Jewish pride. Let the world see that we do not hide, we do not retreat, and we do not surrender our light.
As Rabbi Eli Schlanger of blessed memory himself taught so powerfully: “Be more Jewish. Act more Jewish. Appear more Jewish.”
May Hashem comfort the mourners, heal the wounded, protect His people everywhere, and bring the day when the world filled with peace, safety, and redemption.
With blessings for a brighter, stronger Chanukah!
Rabbi Yossi & Malkie Marrus
Chabad of Boerne
