The Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center at Berkeley celebrated the first night of Hanukkah at Sather Gate on Sunday evening while also honoring the victims of the antisemitic shooting at the Bondi Beach Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia.

As of press time, the shooting, which police in Australia have described as a terrorist attack against the Jewish community, has left 15 dead with dozens more injured.

“We all heard the news, we’re all reeling from it,” said Rabbi Gil Leeds, co-director of Berkeley Chabad, during the event. “We’re all shocked … at the massacre in Sydney where the unspeakable happened.”

While the event came amidst an unfolding tragedy for the Jewish community, it also marked the beginning of celebrations for the Jewish festival of lights. About 100 people attended the event and lit candles, sang traditional Jewish songs and recited verses of the Torah.

Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, celebrates the historical reclamation of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the miraculous lighting of the temple’s menorah, a type of candle. 

“It’s a hard event to be at because it’s … celebrating so much light, and also so much light was snuffed out last night,” said Elan Sarid, a member of the Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi.

Campus administration was present at the event, with Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Benjamin Hermalin in attendance. 

During the event, Hermalin read a letter from UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons to Chabad, in which the chancellor expressed his support for Berkeley’s Jewish community during this time. 

“It’s a dark day for the Jewish community around the world,” Hermalin said, reading from Lyons’ letter. “Berkeley unequivocally condemns antisemitism.”

Joseph Karlan, the Jewish Student Union President,described the event as an opportunity to bring light during a sad time for the community,as the shooting in Australia has struck close to home for many. 

Adam Kohankabir, a student involved in multiple Jewish organizations on campus, said he will study abroad in Sydney next semester, and his plans for housing had him near Bondi Beach. 

“My housing isn’t locked, so I might have to rethink,” Kohankabir said. “It is kind of daunting.”

UCPD had a heightened presence during the event, with three officers standing by and cars patrolling campus. 

For Leeds and many in attendance, the symbolism of lighting menorah candles holds special significance at this time.

“We will not retreat in fear. We will show up. We still stand visibly and proudly as Jews. The light of Chanukah will never be extinguished,” Leeds said in a text message.