A public Hanukkah celebration in Ottawa will go ahead on Sunday afternoon after a
mass shooting at a holiday event in Sydney, Australia
, killed at least 11 people, including a police officer, and injured dozens more.
The shooting took place early Sunday morning at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach organized by the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Australian authorities described the attack as an act of
antisemitic terrorism
involving two gunmen. Investigators later reported locating a nearby vehicle believed to contain improvised explosive devices.
Rabbi Chaim Boyarsky
of the Chabad Student Network of Ottawa, who serves as a rabbi for students at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, said the attack struck close to home. He knew several people who were shot, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was killed, as well as close friends whose families were torn apart.
“The pain is very, very strong, but so is determination and persistence,” said Boyarsky. “There was never a thought in my mind to cancel our celebration.”
He said organizers instead decided to expand the
menorah lighting
planned for the afternoon of Dec. 14 at Ottawa City Hall.
“We’re going to figure out how to double the amount of food, double the amount of drinks … double the amount of music,” he said. “Because we don’t cave to terror.”
Organizers contacted Ottawa police and volunteer security groups ahead of the event and were advised additional measures would be in place. Boyarsky said the volume of calls from community members began almost immediately after news of the attack broke.
“The phone hasn’t stopped for a second,” he said. “People are asking, ‘Should we come? Should we not come?’”
He said those fears reflect conditions Jewish residents, particularly students, have faced for months.
“It’s nonstop,” he said. “Students walking in the tunnels of Carleton, or at the University of Ottawa, are harassed just for being Jewish.”
He pointed to incidents including
vandalism
and
violent assault
.
“We had a rock thrown through our window, smashed at our synagogue last year,” he said. “I was out with coffee with my wife, and someone walked in, threw hot coffee in my face.”
Boyarsky said those experiences inform how he responds when Jewish residents ask if they should try to stay less visible.
“Should we take off our yarmulkes, our Star of David? Should we go into hiding as Jews?” he said. “That’s not even a question.”
“Once we do that,” he said, “we’re allowing terror to prevail. And that’s not an option.”
Local Jewish organizations and political leaders also responded as Ottawa prepares for public Hanukkah events.
In a statement posted to Instagram, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa said, “The safety of Ottawa’s Jewish community is our top priority.” The federation said its leadership had been in contact with Ottawa Police and community security partners and had been reassured that additional security measures were in place during Hanukkah.
Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the violence and emphasized solidarity with Jewish communities.
“Canada stands with the people of Australia and Jewish people everywhere in sorrow, and determination never to bow to terrorism, violence, hatred, and intimidation,” he wrote.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said the impact was being felt locally.
“Hanukkah is supposed to be a time of light and joy,” wrote Sutcliffe. “Instead, Jewish people around the world, including in Ottawa, are faced with fear and intimidation.”
For Rabbi Boyarsky, the purpose of Sunday’s gathering is immediate. He said showing up matters for Jewish residents and for people outside the community.
“For the Jewish community, we’re like a family,” said Boyarsky. “For non-Jewish residents to come, to show support, means the world to us.”
The public menorah lighting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at Ottawa City Hall, with additional security in place.
“Just be there,” Boyarsky said. “Be strong, be loud, be proud, and never cave one iota.”
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