Squamish Jewish Community Honours Bondi Victims

The Jewish community in Squamish is responding to the tragic shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 14, where 15 people were killed during Hanukkah celebrations. Two gunmen opened fire on families celebrating the first night of Hanukkah at one of Sydney's most popular beaches, killing 15 people and wounding more than 40 others. The attack has left Jewish communities worldwide shaken, and locally, the Sea to Sky region is coming together to remember the victims and stand against antisemitism.

Why This Attack Feels Personal to Local Families

Among those killed were a 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor, and two Chabad rabbis who helped organise the event. For Jewish families in Squamish and Whistler, the Bondi Beach shooting hits close to home. Many have children who attend similar community Hanukkah celebrations, including menorah lightings in public spaces. One of the victims, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, had posted a video of himself driving with a menorah on his car, captioned "The best response to antisemitism. Happy Chanukah!"

The Sea to Sky corridor's Jewish community, though small, gathers regularly for public celebrations just like the families in Sydney did. Knowing that a joyful holiday gathering turned into a terror attack has many parents asking themselves difficult questions about safety and visibility.

When and Where the Squamish Ceremony Will Take Place

The Squamish Jewish community will gather at Junction Park on Dec. 18, from 6:30 to 7 p.m., for a menorah lighting ceremony called Light Up Squamish. Rabbi Schneur Druk of the Chabad Jewish Centre of Whistler and Squamish said the event will be a public display of Jewish pride and solidarity.

While the ceremony commemorates those lost, it also celebrates the Hanukkah holiday with festive music, kosher foods, and community participation. Everyone is welcome, including those outside the Jewish faith, to show support and stand against hatred.

What You Need to Know About Security

Although security is always present at such events, Rabbi Druk confirmed that additional measures are being implemented this year in response to recent global events. He emphasised that spreading light, kindness, and community togetherness is the best way to counteract acts of violence.

Since October 2023, there has been a systematic increase in attacks on Jewish visibility in public spaces, creating what researchers call "Jewish fatigue". Despite these concerns, Jewish communities around the world are choosing to gather publicly rather than retreat.

How the Sea to Sky Community Can Show Support

Roughly 200 Jewish families live in Whistler year-round, with another 500 spending the winter season there, plus tens of thousands of Jewish visitors among the 3 million tourists who visit annually. The Chabad of Whistler and Squamish opened just months ago to serve this growing community.

Menorahs will remain lit throughout Hanukkah, reinforcing the message of resilience and hope. The Squamish community can also attend a similar lighting in Whistler at The Brew House on Dec. 21.

In 1993, when White Supremacists in Billings, Montana attacked Jewish residents, the Christian community responded by placing thousands of hand-drawn menorahs in windows across town. Similar acts of solidarity are needed now.

Why Public Gatherings Matter More Than Ever

Through these gatherings, the Squamish Jewish community is sending a message that light, solidarity, and compassion will overcome darkness and violence. Jewish faith leaders emphasise that light, the central theme of Hanukkah, is the only way to counteract darkness and hate.

For families wondering whether it's safe to attend public Jewish events, Rabbi Druk's message is clear: the answer to fear is not hiding, but standing together and shining brighter.