12/14/2025
A message from Rabbi Jordie Gerson: Sunday, December 14th, 2025/ 24 Kislev 5786
Like all of you, I woke up this morning to the heartbreaking and terrifying news out of Australia. Like so many of you, I am devastated, and scared, and reeling. So the first thing I did, after reading the news, was send a note to the Derens (our Chabad emissaries in Greenwich) letting them know we at GRS are grieving with them and sending our love and comfort.
My heart breaks for the Jewish community of Australia, for Chabad all over the world (who are often the most visibly Jewish and at risk) and for all Jews around the world, for whom safety can no longer be taken for granted.
And a reminder: on Chanukah, we celebrate not just light, but the defiance and bravery of the Hasmoneans, a priestly Jewish family who resisted Hellenization to retain their difference in a society that wanted them to become more Greek, and less Jewish. On Chanukah, with Christmas carols playing in every store, and Christmas lights on what seems like every house, we celebrate our difference, and are thankful that somehow, we survived to be in this place, at this time.
So tonight, at 5:15, we will gather at GRS to light our Channukiah (menorah). There will be chocolate babka from Zabars, and blue and white cookies, and hot chocolate, and even in our grief, we will, for our children, celebrate and find joy in Chanukah, our resilience, and our persistence. I hope you'll join us.
With prayers for all those harmed and murdered in Sydney, and their families,
Rabbi Gerson
