12/14/2025
We were just made aware of the terrible attack that took place during a Chanukah celebration in Sydney. Our hearts are deeply pained by this devastating news, and we are especially heartbroken over the loss of a fellow Chabad Rabbi who was killed - May G-d avenge his blood. Our prayers are with the community, and with all of our brothers and sisters in Sydney, Australia.
Chanukah is the holiday that celebrates light over darkness. We will not bow to hate, and we will not bow to fear. We will celebrate in honor of the victims in Sydney, and we will celebrate with the Chanukah message that feels more relevant than ever: Am Yisrael Chai — the Jewish people will always live.
Staying home out of fear is exactly what those who commit acts of terror want. They want us to be afraid. They want us to hide. We will not. We will show up. We will gather. We will continue with our planned Chanukah celebrations — now with even more vigor, more unity, and more Jewish pride. Choosing light, life, and community is our strongest response.
Let us make this Chanukah especially meaningful. Let us not miss a night of lighting the Menorah. We are a people of light, a torch of hope in a dark world. We will celebrate even stronger. We will show our Jewish pride even more boldly. Chanukah teaches us that light will always triumph over darkness. As a community and as one family, let us stand together and remember what Chanukah represents and who we are.
Needless to say, there will be security present at our Chanukah events.
I hope to see you all very soon as we come together to celebrate this holiday, remembering its powerful message: we will not bow to darkness. We will place our menorahs in our windows, we will wear our kippah with pride, and we will continue to celebrate Chanukah — because light will always transcend darkness. May we share good news in the near future.
