‘We mourn:’ Memphis Jewish community shaken up after deadly Hanukkah shooting in Sydney
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - At least 15 people were killed and over two dozen seriously injured after a shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
It was supposed to be a celebration marking the first night of Hanukkah. Australian officials have labeled it a terrorist attack, and among those dead are a holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old.
“To wake up Sunday morning and start getting, you know, texts and messages of this devastating, horrifying situation, you know, people are very shaken up,” said Rabbi Levi Klein with Chabad Lubavitch of Tennessee.
Klein said his organization is the same one that put on the event in Sydney. Klein said he knows many of the extended families of those killed and injured, along with personally knowing one of the rabbis.
“We mourn with them, and an attack on them is an attack on each and every Jew anywhere on the globe because that’s the reason they were attacked,” said Klein.
Klein said they were getting ready to have their own celebration for the first night of Hanukkah. He said they decided to carry on with it and added additional security for their Grand Menorah Lighting and Fire show.
Klein said he was shocked to see hundreds of people show up despite the cold and the horrific incident in Sydney.
“To show their solidarity, support, and to show that we don’t, you know, run away. We don’t run away. We’re not going to let terrorism win,” said Klein.
Klein said standing up, fighting back and bringing light to the world is the message of Hannukkah.
“Darkness is not chased away with a stick. Darkness is chased away by lighting another candle,” said Klein.
Klein also said hate has to stop.
Action News 5 also reached out to Young Israel of Memphis. In a statement, Rabbi Akiva Males said the community is horrified.
“Our community is horrified by the monstrous actions of the evil doers who murdered over a dozen innocent men, women, and children in cold blood yesterday in Australia. In addition to those who were slaughtered, dozens more were horribly wounded during that massacre,” said Males. “Those beautiful souls were attacked for no reason other than the fact that they were Jewish — no different from the members of our own Jewish community here in Memphis.
The statement carried on, saying Males is angry that the current Australian government allowed hatred to continue to grow.
“Month after month, haters of Jews united to march and chant their hatred for — and wishes for violence against — our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia. From all we have followed in the news, no significant efforts were made by the current Australian government to put an end to the blatant hatred and threats of harm that have been openly voiced against their Jewish citizens,” said Males. “For over two years, Jew haters in Australia have overtly called for ‘globalizing the intifada.’”
Males said expressions of grief are simply not enough.
“What occurred at Bondi Beach should surprise no one but should be a wake-up call to everyone,” said Males. “We demand responsibility, accountability, and action from the current Australian government. The victims of this massacre deserve no less.”
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