During a community menorah lighting last night (Monday), Mayor Alyia Gaskins condemned Sunday’s deadly shooting on the first night of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
Rabbi Mordechai Newman, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Alexandria-Arlington, hosted the organization’s 23rd annual menorah lighting yesterday at The Lyceum at 201 S. Washington Street.
He was accompanied by Gaskins, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley and Police Chief Tarrick McGuire, who condemned the attack that killed 15 people and injured 42 others.
“Many of us are gathered with heavy hearts,” Gaskins said. “I do just want to take a minute, from the bottom of my heart, to say that I stand with you. I condemn the horrific and the horrible and inexcusable antisemitic attacks that have happened in Australia, and I hope that every day, as you gather with your Alexandria neighbors and friends and family, that we are a community where you find support, where you find prayer, and where you find encouragement, and the community that wraps around you and stands with you.”
Last night’s gathering brought feelings of unity, resilience and shared purpose for Newman, who said the Bondi Beach victims “were doing exactly what we are doing this evening — bringing light, warmth and Jewish pride into the world.”
“Their loss shattered our hearts, and yet the Hanukkah response remains unchanged,” Newman said. “When darkness tries to intimidate us, we answer with light.”
The lyrics to The Dreidel Song filled the air as Newman invited the crowd to sing Hanukkah songs in unison while partaking in latkes, doughnuts and hot chocolate as a community.
The event reminded Bagley of the Jewish concept of “tikkun olam,” or humanity’s role in repairing the world, she said.
“It’s a healing act,” Bagley said. “It’s a really beautiful act, and it’s an act of community, and so I’m very touched to be here. I feel like it’s part of a call to service, but it’s also part of being a part of the Jewish community in Alexandria, in Northern Virginia and in the world.”
This was the second year in a row that McGuire attended the menorah lighting. He told attendees that the Alexandria Police Department is dedicated to protecting the city’s Jewish community.
“I know that there is concern here within our city because of acts of violence that have occurred around the world, but I want to ensure everyone that we’re here. We will be present,” McGuire said. “We stand with you, and ultimately, we’re here to protect you.”
