ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester’s Jewish community is mourning the lives lost in the mass shooting at Australia’s Bondi Beach.
Authorities say two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people, including a child, in an antisemitic terrorist attack. The Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester released a statement, saying it’s horrified by the attack and that security is a top priority as people celebrate Hanukkah locally.
In the past, the Brighton and Rochester police departments have stepped up security at synagogues during Jewish holidays. People can expect an increase in security as they celebrate Hanukkah, which began at sundown on Sunday and ends at sundown on Monday, Dec. 22.
The Chabad of Rochester also released a statement on the shooting, saying “we will not surrender to the forces of darkness, we will continue the Story of Chanukah.”
How Hanukkah celebrations locally will honor the victims
The Chabad says its Hanukkah celebration on Monday evening will “proclaim our steadfastness in the face of hateful terror.” The community will gather at Washington Square Park at 5:15 p.m. to mark the first light of Hanukkah. Before that, there will be a Hanukkah party in The Wintergarden across the street, starting at 4 p.m. Hanukkah celebrates the victory of light over darkness and organizers say they’re determined to “overcome those who seek to extinguish our flame.”
Latest on the investigation into the shooting
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the shooting a horrific act of antisemitic terrorism that struck at the heart of the nation.
Authorities say the shooters were father and son. The father, 50, was shot and killed by police. His 24-year-old son was wounded and is being treated at a hospital, says the New South Wales police commissioner.
Full statements from Rochester Jewish community leaders
Here’s the statement from the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester:
“Jewish Federations are horrified by the antisemitic terrorist shooting in Australia. This was a deliberate terrorist act targeting the Jewish community in Sydney as they celebrated the first night of Chanukah and must be loudly and clearly called out as antisemitism.”
“The security of the Jewish community is the top priority of Jewish Federations across North America. All Federations and their community security initiatives are on full alert for the Chanukah celebrations in their communities, working with all our law enforcement partners. We mourn those killed in this horrific shooting, send our comforts to their families, and wish a speedy and full recovery to the injured.”
“Our community will never retreat in the face of hatred, and will never refrain from carrying on our Jewish traditions. Rather, we will use every tool at our disposal to make sure our communities are safe and that our lights burn all the brighter.”
Here’s the statement from the Chabad of Rochester:
“We are all brokenhearted for the horrific attack on our brethren in Bondi, Australia. The depraved brutality, the searing pain… There are no words…”
“This is an attack on all Jews throughout the world, it is an attack on the essence of Chanukah, it is an attack on all who believe in goodness and decency. While we deeply appreciate the authorities’ pursuit of the perpetrators, we will do our part in this struggle: We will redouble our efforts to make this Chanukah even more special with even more light.”
“This evening, G-d willing, we will all gather at Washington Square Park at 5:15 pm to celebrate the first Light of Chanukah. This will be preceded at 4:00 pm by a Chanukah Party in The Wintergarden across the street. Our presence will proclaim our steadfastness in the face of hateful terror. We will not surrender to the forces of darkness, we will continue the Story of Chanukah – the Holiday that celebrates our determination to overcome those who seek to extinguish our flame, and the victory of light over darkness. Bayamim haheim bizman hazeh, G-d performed miracles for us in those days and will surely continue to perform miracles for us all in our days.”
“Our participation in the public Chanukah Celebrations across our community will be a fitting memorial to those who were brutally murdered hy”d and will also send a big hug to our brethren in Bondi – you may be thousands of miles away but you are so close to our hearts, for we are truly One. May G-d bring comfort and healing to the wounded, to the bereaved families and to the Bondi community. We look forward to the imminent fulfillment of G-d’s promise to heal our fragmented world when darkness will be no more for the world will be filled with the light of G-dliness, goodness and kindness.”
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