The recent mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Australia’s Bondi Beach weighed heavily on the minds of those gathered in East Gwillimbury this week, but the community chose to respond with unity, remembrance and hope.
Jewish families and local residents came together on the evening of Dec. 15 at the East Gwillimbury Sports Complex for a public menorah lighting, followed by traditional Hanukkah festivities including latkes, sufganiyot and children’s games. As with menorah lightings held across York Region, the tragedy in Australia was impossible to ignore.
Rabbi Mendy Grossbaum of Chabad Newmarket spoke emotionally about the attack, which killed 15 people, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger and a child. He reminded attendees that Jewish families in Sydney had gathered to celebrate Hanukkah much like those in East Gwillimbury.
“Our hearts are broken,” Grossbaum said. “We are all asking the same question — how can this be happening?”
Grossbaum noted that Rabbi Schlanger had visited family in Toronto and was well known to members of the local community. He also shared that some of the injured had personal ties to the region, including a former Toronto camp counsellor and the younger brother of a close friend.
Mayor Virginia Hackson said she was “deeply saddened” by the attack, which also left dozens injured.
“There is no place for violence or hatred in our community,” Hackson said. “As we gather to celebrate Hanukkah, we also grieve.”
Despite the pain, Grossbaum emphasized the deeper message of the Festival of Lights.
“Hanukkah teaches that when darkness tries to intimidate and silence, the Jewish response is not to retreat but to add light,” he said. “One more candle. One more act of kindness. One more commitment to stand together as one people.”
He acknowledged there are no easy answers, but said the community’s mission remains clear: to live openly and proudly, and to continue celebrating Jewish life with courage and joy.
Former East Gwillimbury resident Ruth Brainis, now living in King City, admitted she felt anxious about attending the event in the wake of the shooting and amid rising antisemitism worldwide since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack in Israel.
“We’ve experienced a lot of hate. My children have experienced a lot of hate. It’s scary,” said Brainis, who was born in Israel. “But I have to show them pride, not fear.”
She said Hanukkah is her family’s favourite holiday and that her children need to see joy, unity and support — not just from within the Jewish community, but from their neighbours as well.
“It’s important for them to see love from community and non-community members,” she said. “To see that we can all coexist and celebrate light together.”
Mayor Hackson echoed that sentiment, calling Hanukkah a time of reflection, renewal and shared humanity.
“As another candle of the menorah is lit,” she said, “we are reminded that the world shines brighter and more beautifully with every act of kindness.”
