Members of Ottawa’s Jewish community say they will continue to celebrate Hanukkah following Sunday’s attack that killed 16 people at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. Rabbi Idan Scher of the Congregation Machzikei Hadas, an Ottawa synagogue, says news of the attacks came as “complete devastation.” “It was jarring and just so tragic, in so many ways,” Scher said. The attack happened at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where Gunmen opened fire on hundreds who had gathered to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the attack an act of antisemitic terrorism. Sixteen people were killed in the attack, including one child, and at least 38 others were injured. One of the gunmen was fatally shot by police and the other was arrested and is in critical condition. ‘We’re a strong community’ While some security concerns remain in light of the attacks, Scher says his community will go ahead with their planned Hanukkah celebrations. “We’re a strong community and our numbers are not going to suffer,” Scher said. “We’re going to come out and proudly identify as Jews, we’re going to celebrate this beautiful holiday of ours, and we are not going to let this knock us down.” The community will continue to celebrate while also honouring the victims of the attack, Scher says. “We are not going to stop celebrating because of this. That’s not what anyone would ever have wanted. The victims were celebrating. Celebrating proudly and publicly,” Scher said. “But there will be a component that we add to each of our events. Whether that’s an extra prayer said, whether that’s moments of silence, whether that’s focusing and reflecting on the legacy of these courageous, proud Jews.” The Jewish Federation of Ottawa says they have been in contact with Ottawa police following the attacks and the community will continue to gather throughout Hanukkah. “We will do so with vigilance, gratitude for our law enforcement partners, and a firm commitment to peace and human dignity,” the federation wrote in a statement. The organization condemned the violence and urged others in the community to do the same. “It is essential that everyone in Canada feel safe to practice their religion and culture, both in public and private spaces, without fear of intimidation or violence,” the federation wrote. “We ask fellow Ottawans and all Canadians to join us in raising their voices against hatred, extremism, and the normalization of violence in our public discourse. Silence in the face of such rhetoric allows it to spread. Standing together against it helps keep all communities safe.” The organization says calls for violence and hateful rhetoric result in real world violence, a sentiment Scher echoed. “What we are finding is that language, verbal abuse, things on social media do not stay in those vacuums. They lead to physical violence. They lead to the deaths of individuals,” Scher said. “We need to make sure that we are curbing these things loud and clear from a much, much earlier stage if we want to see a healing of our communities and of our world and stop the violence that’s happening,” he said. Ottawa police increasing presence Ottawa police say they will be increasing visibility and patrols in support of the capital’s Jewish community following the attacks. In a social media post, the Ottawa Police Service said they condemned the attack and would increase their presence around Jewish religious institutions and community centres throughout the holiday. “The Ottawa Police Service condemns the antisemitic attack in Australia on the first night of Hanukkah, and our thoughts are with the victims’ families and friends,” police wrote. “As a proactive measure, we have increased visibility and patrols in support of Ottawa’s Jewish community throughout the holiday, including having presence around religious institutions and community centres.” Police say they are in close contact with the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and others in the community. Ottawa’s Mayor Mark Sutcliffe also released a statement in support of Ottawa’s Jewish community on Sunday. “Hanukkah is supposed to be a time of light and joy. Instead, Jewish people around the world, including in Ottawa, are faced with fear and intimidation,” Sutcliffe wrote. “We must always fight back against antisemitism, violence, and hatred in all its forms. We must continue to work together to support and protect our Jewish community.” On Monday, Sutcliffe said the Hanukkah celebrations “must continue.” “The police will be there to support members of the Jewish community as they hold menorah lighting events and Hanukkah celebrations in the days ahead. Again, we want everybody to be safe and feel safe during the holidays,” Sutcliffe said. “The celebrations must continue. And I know that they will be, you know, with mixed emotions. But I don’t want anybody to feel like they’re uncomfortable or not safe in going to a celebration of Hanukkah in our city.” With files from CTV’s Josh Marano and Dylan Dyson
