Wishing everyone a year of 2026 when our menorahs and identities can shine bright, anywhere in the world, and anywhere across this sunburnt country.
Pictured is a menorah projected on the Sydney Harbour Bridge during last night's 2026 New Years Eve fireworks display.
Another day and another visit around the South Coast of NSW, with our volunteers bringing a smile, and even some jarred gefilteh fish to Jewish families in the area.
Our volunteers, Mendel and Shalom, couldn't land any visits in Mittagong yesterday, so they headed to Bondi. There they visited the new makeshift Chabad House that offers visitors to the sacred site the opportunity to pray for a few moments and wear the Tefillin.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger was murdered as he assisted others to wear Tefillin and pray, at the Chanuka gathering. Indeed, his headstone on his grave that was erected this week mentions this as one of his many qualities.
And now, in his merit, thousands of people have visited the area and done this special mitzva in the merit of those murdered in cold blood on the first night of Chanuka.
That's what happened on the last night of Wollongong, where close to 200 people from all faiths and backgrounds joined together for a memorial and candle lighting in honour of the Bondi victims.
A makeshift Chanuka Menorah stands on the bridge at Bondi Beach.
We are here to stay.
Shabbat Shalom.
It seems like a month has passed since the tragic massacre on Bondi Beach broke the news on Sunday evening.
My week is blur of speaking with people, taking media interviews, attending funerals, all while still celebrating Chanuka around regional Australia.
What has taken place has changed the face of Australian Jewry, and Australia as a whole.
I shared some personal thoughts earlier this week on my Facebook page.
I was able to visit communities in Wodonga, Katoomba, and then Dubbo and do our best to connect and grieve together. Early on Wednesday morning, I headed out of Dubbo with my two older children and friend Mendel who had joined me for this trip, headed to Bondi to attend the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a close friend and colleague.
Standing in the Synagogue, I was surrounded by a river of tears from family, friends, and acquaintances of the slain rabbi. To see Eli's young son Nosson, just 14 years old, recite the Kaddish over his freshly covered grain was heart wrenching.
Hours later, I was in Newcastle, joining the vigil put on by Rabbi Yossi and Malki Rodal at the Newcastle Syangogue. Over 1,000 people crammed into the Shul and surrounding garden to remember the victims of Australia's worst terrorist attack.
Last night, I was in Coffs Harbour, where we were joined by the community, supportive friends, and the Mayor and Local Member. To see people coming out in support was so heart-warming. I shared some words there, which you can watch here.
I've also been on the phone with too many media outlets to count, as well as intimately involved in some of the fundraising and other support campaigns for the victims. I'm also invovled in efforts to support for the thousands of people that have arrived in Bondi to pay their respects.
Families are grieving and the wounded are still in hospital, undergoing surgeries to remove bullets embedded deep inside of them. Included in them is Shevi's cousin, a young man named Leibel Lazaroff, who arrived only a few months ago from Texas to assist Rabbi Schlanger with his outreach efforts.
We are shocked and we are torn by the tragic events of this week.
We have also seen incredible strength, from Jewish and non-Jewish people alike that heroically saved others during the attack.
With three remaining nights left to Chanuka, our only response must be to continue to add in light. Light the Menorah, and light Shabbat candles tonight. Be proud of your Judaism. As a young mother did, keeping her Menorah lit up outside of her house, following the attacks.
I write this message to share comfort, yet I am needing comfort myself. I pray that we will collectively find comfort with each other, with Hashem's help.
This week, please connect with another. Reach out to someone, check in, and keep together. We have seen the worst this week. Change is needed on every level. Let's do our part to stand tall and proud. Do a Mitzvah, and celebrate your Judaism.
A fundraiser has been established to support the families of the victims. They need security and certainty during the times ahead. You can fund the campaign at supportsydney dot org.
I will share news from our Chanuka activities at a later date. In the meantime, I wish you a Shabbat Shalom.
- Rabbi Menachem Aron
We're lighting the fifth Chanuka candle in Coffs Harbour this evening.
We respond to darkness with even more light.
It's foggy. It's raining.
But tonight the Menorah burns bright in Katoomba.
A moment of light, amidst a very dark day.
The overwhelming messages of support are much appreciated.
If you know anyone Jewish, down the street, across the paddock or in another state, please continue to send them a message today.
Tonight we light the second candle on the Menorah.
Our hearts are shattered.
We have learned that Rabbi Eli Schlanger is amongst those murdered in tonight's heartless shooting attack in Bondi.
He is pictured here with fellow Rabbi Avremi Joseph, visiting Sam Cohen, a long time resident of Coffs Harbour NSW, in 2020.
Our prayers are with the victims and their families.
If you haven't yet lit a menorah this Chanuka, please do so.
Come join us for the first night of Chanuka tonight.
We'll be in Wodonga and we'll also be in Geelong!
Are you making it to a regional Chanuka celebration near you this year?
We've got you covered for Adelaide, Ballarat, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Cairns, Canberra, Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Coolum Beach, Dubbo, Geelong, Hobart, Katoomba, Mackay, Maroochydore, Maryborough, Newcastle, Old Bar, Roma Park, Southport, Sunshine Coast, Tamworth, Townsville, Wallsend, and Wodonga, to name a few places!
There's just over a week left until Chanuka...
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom!
Tons of these are running around the Australia Post mail warehouses across the country as we speak.
Are you getting?
