Boulder Jewish News Arts, Culture, Events, Lifestyles, Holidays, Synagogues, Education
Our hearts are broken. Today, on what should have been a joyous first night of Chanukah, our Jewish family in Sydney gathered at Bondi Beach to celebrate hope and light—and were met with unspeakable darkness. At least eleven precious souls were murdered, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger and a 12-year-old child whose life had barely begun. Dozens more were wounded.
This was not random violence. This was a deliberate terrorist attack targeting Jews celebrating our sacred holiday—families lighting the menorah, children singing songs of freedom, a community gathering in faith. That such evil could strike at such a moment fills us with profound grief and righteous anger.
Here in Boulder, we know this pain. We carry the wounds from June 1st, when our Jewish neighbors—gathering peacefully to advocate for hostages—were attacked on Pearl Street Mall. We remember their courage. We remember how our community refused to be silenced by fear.
Today we stand in solidarity with the Jewish community of Sydney and all of Australia as they mourn and begin the unimaginable work of healing. We know the road ahead. We know the questions that can haunt us: Why? How could this happen? Will we feel safe again?
Yet even in this darkness, we witnessed extraordinary light. We saw everyday Australians run toward danger to disarm the attackers. We saw heroism and humanity prevail. And we remember what Chanukah teaches us: that a small light can push back against overwhelming darkness, that courage can triumph over tyranny, that the Jewish people will not be extinguished.
So tonight, as we kindle our Chanukah lights, we do so with heavy hearts but unbroken spirits. We light for those who cannot. We light for Sydney. We light for Boulder. We light in defiance of hate. In the face of darkness, we choose light.
May the memories of those murdered be forever a blessing. May the injured find healing. And may our communities—in Sydney, in Boulder, and around the world—continue to gather, to celebrate, and to shine our light into the darkness.
Rabbi Fred Greene
Cantor Devorah Avery
Rabbi Ruthie Gelfarb
Jennifer Herrington, Executive Director
Emily Lanigan, President
Congregation Har HaShem
Boulder, Colorado
