‘We have to spread light’: Calgary Jews light menorah at city hall in wake of Sydney shooting
CBC
Hundreds of Calgarians attended the 37th annual menorah lighting at city hall Monday night — a typically joyous event tinged with grief this year by the recent deadly shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia.
“Hannukah is usually my favorite celebration, but this year the joy sits beside something heavier,” said Lisa Libin, president of the Calgary Jewish Federation, to the gathering.
“As we gather tonight to light the Hanukkah candles, on behalf of Calgary Jewish Federation, our hearts are here with the Jewish community and Bondi.”
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also attended the event hosted by Chabad, the global organization that also hosted Sydney's gathering.
At least 15 people were killed and 38 others are being treated in hospital after two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Hundreds had gathered at the popular spot to celebrate the first day of the eight-day Jewish holiday.
Among the 15 deceased were a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it an act of antisemitic terrorism.
In a speech to the gathering, Farkas had strongly-worded comments about the rise of antisemitism.
“We are here to light the menorah, not quietly, not cautiously, but deliberately,” said Farkas. “I’m angry. And every day we wake to news of violent attacks against Jewish people here at home and around the world…
“There is no place for antisemitism in Calgary,” Farkas said. “This menorah and all of you in this room today says that our city will confront hate and no community will face fear alone.”
Farkas also pledged to bring forward reforms targeting radicalization and hate-driven violence.
Rebbetzin Rochel Matusof, executive director of the Chabad Lubavitch of Alberta, said she has been receiving several calls from members of the Jewish community in Calgary and others sharing their condolences.
Many Calgarians have ties to the victims of the shooting at Bondi Beach, she said.
“The pain is there and we mourn with the families and it's hard,” she said. “It’s Hanukkah. We have to spread light. We're doing it with their names in our mind, with their pictures, with their images. How wonderful, what beautiful people they were and to continue their legacy.
“Let's all be nice to each other and respect each other's beliefs and each other's holidays,” Matusof said.
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