When I awoke on Sunday morning and heard the news about the horrific antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, I was immediately overcome with sadness. Chanukah is supposed to be a joyous holiday ~ one where we gather with family and friends, recite special prayers, and enjoy delicious food. And that is what the people who gathered at Bondi Beach were planning to do. Instead, two cowardly terrorists took the lives of 15 innocent people and injured many more ~ all for simply being Jewish.
My heart has felt heavy in the subsequent days. It doesn’t matter that the shooting occurred on the other side of the globe. It doesn’t matter that I don’t have a personal connection with the victims. I consider the worldwide Jewish community family. When something happens to one of us, it happens to all of us.
Sometimes we can find ourselves feeling helpless in the face of tragedy. It feels like no matter what we do, it isn’t going to make a difference. However, sometimes the little things we do make a much bigger impact than we could ever anticipate.
The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) and the Partnership2Gether Global Network are asking Jews all over the globe to help light hope in the face of darkness, to remind ourselves that we are one people. As you celebrate Chanukah, we invite you to film a short video of you and your family lighting the candles and to share words of strength and love for the Jewish community in Australia.
You can send your video (or if you prefer, you can send pictures) to Avitalbe@jafi.org. Please make sure to say or write you are from the greater Dayton, OH Jewish community. Once collected, they will be sent together through the Arava-Australia Partnership as a sign of mutual responsibility, unity, and hope.
As we approach the last half of Chanukah, I wish you and your family peace, comfort, and light.
