December 15, 2025
As we light the Hanukkah candles, our hearts are breaking for the Jewish community of Australia. We join in mourning the lives that were extinguished by this act of antisemitism and hate, and hold their loved ones in our hearts as they grieve the unimaginable. Australian Jews, like Jews everywhere, should be free to show their identity openly and celebrate our traditions of thousands of years without fear of violence. The rising waves of antisemitism around the world have reached Australia and North America alike, and we know that an attack on Australian Jews is an attack on all of us. May the memories of all of the victims be for a blessing.
To our friends and partners in Habonim Dror Australia: we are with you, and we share your pain, fear and outrage. Your chanichimot, madrichimot, and communities deserve to be safe. In these dark times, we know that Habonim Dror Australia will keep creating light by doing what it has always done: nurturing Jewish youth who know who they are, take pride and find strength in their Jewish identity, and step up as leaders in their communities.
Alo Na’aleh – we will rise.