Last Sunday, two terrorists opened fire on a peaceful gathering of a thousand people at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, killing 15 and injuring scores of others.

While such an attack was shocking, it was not surprising to many Jews around the world. Since the Oct 7th massacre by Hamas terrorists in Israel, we’ve seen a major upswing in attacks on Jewish people around the world: Manchester, England; Amsterdam; Berlin; Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, DC; peace marchers in Boulder, CO—and, of course, the firebombing of the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion during Passover in April.

These are just the “highlights.” The Combat Antisemitism Movement recorded more than 13,000 antisemitic incidents worldwide in the two years since October 7th—breaking all previous records. Targets include synagogues and public gathering places, as well as individuals who identify as Jewish. As an example, just a week ago, someone ripped all the mezuzahs off the doors of Jewish residents of a senior living facility in Toronto, Canada.

And yet in many locales, the powers that be cannot bring themselves to condemn either the rape, torture, and murder of thousands of people in Israel, or the ongoing attacks on Jews since then. Instead, they bend over backwards to point out that Islamophobia is also a bad thing—creating a false equivalency, in spite of the fact that there have been virtually NO reported attacks of Jews on Muslims.

There have, however, been ongoing attacks on Jews in Sydney and Melbourne since October 7th, but the Australian government chose not to act to protect Jewish Australians. Now, perhaps they will choose to take the necessary steps to keep Jews in Australia safe. We’ll see if they’re up to the task.

Yet, in spite of this attack—and perhaps because of it— thousands of people have come out since Sunday to light Hanukah menorahs. . . in Bondi Beach, Manchester, Paris, Germany, Washington, and hundreds of cities around the world.

The Hanukkah story is about light vanquishing darkness. It’s about the Jewish people staying strong and surviving, in spite of the numerous adversaries who have tried to wipe us out. The small bit of oil that should have only lit the menorah for one day lasted for eight, until more could be found.

The light from Menorahs around the world will continue to burn bright—this week and for years into the future. From darkness came light, and from light comes life. Forever.

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