A shadow fell over Hanukkah celebrations for Jewish communities worldwide this week, following a deadly terrorist attack in Australia. The tragedy cast a pall over what is traditionally one of the most joyous festivals on the Jewish calendar.
A Celebration Tempered by Tragedy
On Sunday, December 15, 2025, terrorists opened fire on a group of Jews celebrating the first night of Hanukkah on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. The attack, targeting a Chabad-organized menorah lighting, killed at least 15 people and wounded around 40 others. Among the dead were two Chabad rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old girl.
Authorities identified the attackers as Sajid Akram, who was killed by police at the scene, and his son Naveed. Reports indicate Naveed Akram was known to intelligence officials but was not considered an immediate threat prior to the assault.
Toronto Gathers in Defiance and Mourning
Despite safety concerns and freezing temperatures, scores of people, including families with young children, gathered in Toronto the following evening for a public Hanukkah ceremony. The event, held on Monday, December 16, took place in the parking lot of the York Mills Shopping Centre in north Toronto.
Rabbi Levi Gansburg of Chabad on Bayview lit a giant menorah before a crowd of dozens, who also enjoyed live music and holiday treats. The celebration swiftly transformed into a communal vigil.
"It's shocking. It's painful for us to stand here in this great country and to have to be Jewish, and to learn about the devastation that took place yesterday in Australia," Rabbi Gansburg told the assembled crowd. He acknowledged the profound grief, holding a "candle of mourning" for the victims, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger.
Yet, he emphasized resilience, lighting the "candle of the menorah... a candle of hope, a candle of strength, a candle of light." His message was clear: "We're not going anywhere. Because the greatest response to tyranny and terror is courage."
Local Leaders Echo Concerns for Community Safety
Toronto Councillor Brad Bradford joined Rabbi Gansburg, addressing the direct impact of the distant violence. He noted that while Australia "seems very far away," Sunday's events resonate deeply within Toronto's Jewish community.
"It impacts your family, your friends, your neighbours, your colleagues," Bradford stated. He issued a sobering warning that the atrocities committed in a fellow Commonwealth country serve as a stark reminder. "If we're not careful and we're not clear about our values, [it] could happen in a place like Toronto."
The Toronto gathering underscored a painful duality for many Jewish Canadians during this Hanukkah: a commitment to public celebration and faith, juxtaposed with heightened anxieties about safety and antisemitic violence in cities across the globe.
