Montreal Jewish community aims to 'bring light' after deadly Hanukkah attack in Australia
Posted on: Dec 15, 2025 20:39 IST | Posted by: Cbc
Rabbi Yisroel Bernath nearly cancelled a chanukah jubilation sun in Montreal after acquisition of the mow down in Sydney, but ultimately decided the community needed to gather to prove that light prevails over darkness.
"The answer to darkness is always light."
Bernath, the spiritual director of Chabad of NDG, said he knew some of the victims of the Bondi Beach attack, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger. He described Schlanger, who organized the Sydney event, as a "beautiful soul."
More than 250 people attended the candlelighting in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood, joined by Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada and a visible police presence.
At least 15 people were killed and 38 are in hospital after two gunmen attacked the Jewish holiday event at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Hundreds also turned out for a Hanukkah event in Côte Saint-Luc. David Tordjman, the mayor of the municipality, said the message of Hanukkah — it symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and religious freedom — is more prescient than ever.
“We will continue to celebrate events that bring light and hope to our community,” he said on Radio-Canada’s Tout un matin.
In the wake of the shooting, Montreal police announced Sunday they had increased their presence near where Hanukkah celebrations are taking place.
Martinez Ferrada also issued a statement on social media, saying that the "attack on a Jewish community in Australia breaks my heart."
Michael Kempa, an associate professor of criminology at the University of Ottawa, said communities across Canada should be on alert after Sydney.
"We cannot underestimate the level of threat that we've got in this country as well," he said, noting a rise in cases of both antisemitism and Islamophobia.
"We all have to confront antisemitism and Islamophobia where we find it, because these horrible discourses are becoming normalized in our society," he said.
Chabad of NDG, for its part, has decided to add to its Hanukkah celebrations after Sydney.
"So many people feel right now that the best thing we can do is be together, stand shoulder to shoulder," Bernath said.
After Sydney attack, Liberal MP says more needs to be done to protect Jewish communities
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