‘We should not be hiding’: Edmonton Hanukkah celebrations see increased security following Australia shooting

Hanukkah celebrations in Edmonton are seeing increased security following attacks in Australia. (Brandon Lynch/CTV News Edmonton)

The CEO of Edmonton’s Jewish Federation is telling her community not to hide after 15 people were killed at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia over the weekend.

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“Especially now, we need to show up,” Stacey Leavitt-Wright told CTV News Edmonton Monday. “We need to be public and proud. We shouldn’t be hiding.”

For around 15 minutes, two gunmen, believed to be father and son, fired on attendees celebrating the first day of Hanukkah at Sydney’s Bondi Beach Sunday evening.

Victims were aged between 10 and 87, among them were a rabbi and a holocaust survivor. There were 40 people taken to hospital after the attack.

“People are shocked. They’re horrified that something like this could take place,” said Leavitt-Wright. “They’re very concerned about what this means.”

She said Hanukkah celebrations across Edmonton saw an increase in police presence and security measures Sunday and will throughout the eight days of festivities. Airport-style security screening was also conducted at certain events Sunday.

“Every Jewish community event and program right now has additional layers of security added,” said Leavitt-Wright.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Brandon Lynch