Chanukah Light in a World of Darkness – Our Response to Tragedy

Like for many of us, the news from Australia came as a shock. Reports described a public Chanukah gathering at Bondi Beach disrupted by violence against Jews who had come to celebrate openly. What was meant to be a moment of light and togetherness turned into loss and grief. Many of us felt overwhelmed by the devastation. The weight of it settled deeply. In that moment, I realized I needed to step forward. When I learned about a public menorah lighting in Philadelphia, I knew I had to be there. On the second night of Chanukah, I proudly participated in the public menorah lighting at Rittenhouse Square. Jews gathered openly in the heart of the city. We sang songs that have carried our people through centuries. The menorah stood tall and visible.

The event was led by Rabbi Yochanan Goldman and his wife, Leah. Rabbi Goldman, originally from South Africa, serves as the rabbi of B’nai Abraham Shul Synagogue in Philadelphia. His message was calm and clear. We do not fight darkness. We light it.

Those words reflect the vision of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who launched a global campaign to place menorahs in public spaces. He believed light must be visible. He taught that even one candle can transform an entire environment. Standing there, I felt deep gratitude. I was grateful to stand openly as a Jew, to practice Judaism, and to celebrate my Jewish heritage. I was grateful to celebrate Chanukah as a symbol of pride and resilience.

That realization comes from memory. I grew up in the Soviet Union, where being Jewish often meant living in darkness. Jewish identity was hidden, and Jewish life was suppressed. Public Jewish light did not exist. Those years felt like endless winter nights. The cold was both physical and spiritual. Chanukah candles now feel like warmth returning. Each flame rekindles faith that once had no space to breathe. Chanukah is more than a holiday for me. It represents Jewish courage and continuity. It teaches that light is our response to fear. It reminds us that visibility is an act of faith.

The people at Bondi Beach made that same choice. They gathered openly and lit a menorah in public. Hatred tried to silence that light and instill fear across the globe for Jewish people. Despite this unimaginable tragedy, our people continue to stay strong, together, and undeterred. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks taught that hope is a responsibility. He taught that faith means choosing light even when darkness feels powerful. Jewish history affirms that truth again and again. Standing in Rittenhouse Square, I felt my soul as a flame, one candle of the eternal Jewish people. Hasidic teachings say that the soul of a Jew is a candle. Each person carries light within them. Each soul has the power to illuminate darkness. The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that light does not argue with darkness. Light simply shines. Even a small flame can change an entire space. The Jewish people are an eternal nation grounded in Torah and sacred tradition. Our resilience flows from unity and a deep responsibility for one another. We are fueled by our commitment to G-d, truth, integrity, ethics, morality, and peace. Across centuries of hardship and displacement, we endured and continued forward, and we will forever be a nation that chooses light over darkness.  Am Yisrael Chai.

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This article is dedicated to the lives lost at the Bondi Beach tragedy.

By Sofya Sara Esther Tamarkin