Although Sydney, Australia is more than 10,000 miles away from Massachusetts, the December 14, mass shooting on Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration was top of mind for crowd members gathered at the Newton Centre Green to mark the Jewish Festival of Lights.
The holiday event, coordinated by the local Chabad with support of local Orthodox synagogues and Agudah of New England (an advocacy group), featured a massive menorah as well as joyful and solemn moments.
Newton community members paid their respects to the Australian victims of the attack that resulted in at least 15 deaths and dozens of others injured. Funerals were due to begin on Wednesday, December 17, in Australia.
“We took a moment to remember those whose lives were taken or suddenly transformed by antisemitic hatred at Bondi Beach in Australia,” said City Councilor-elect Lisa Gordon, who attended the Newton event with other local officials, including State Rep. Amy Sangiolo, incoming School Committee chair Alicia Piedalue, and City Councilors Julia Malakie and Martha Bixby.
The terror attack was “‘inspired by Islamic State,’ Australia’s federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett said Tuesday,” as reported by NPR. The shooting is part of a global rise in antisemitism, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
“Jewish families should not need armed security to light Hanukkah candles, nor should they have to fear for their lives in public spaces,” stated the ADL.
The disturbing trend, brought into focus after the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks in Israel, was highlighted by U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss. Standing in front of the giant menorah, he offered words of solace and strength to the crowd and read a bipartisan statement from all 25 Jewish House members of Congress on the antisemitic attack in Australia:
On a night meant…