Jewish community in Scranton is mourning the lives of those killed in Bondi Beach attack

Newswatch 16’s Valeria Quiñones tells us about the horrific tragedy in Sydney and how the religious leaders here are holding on to hope.

SCRANTON, Pa. — The Jewish Community Center on Jefferson Street in Scranton is celebrating the start of Hanukkah with a superhero-themed festival, but the Jewish holiday, meant to celebrate light, has once again been overshadowed by darkness.

On Sunday morning, in one of Sydney, Australia’s most popular destinations, Bondi Beach, the Jewish community was also gathering to celebrate the holiday before a horrific attack. Two gunmen opened fire on the crowd, injuring more than 29 people and killing 16. 

Here, the JCC has a memorial table set up in remembrance of the lives lost. 

“When I first heard it, I was shocked. For somebody to attack a thousand people that are just celebrating Hanukkah, it’s something that just doesn’t fit into my head,” says Executive Director of The Jewish Federation of NEPA, Daniel Chejfec.

Incidents of antisemitism have been a constant for the Jewish community since the October 2023 attacks in Israel and Gaza. 

Despite the rising tide of hate, the CEO of the Jewish Community Center, Dan Cardonick, says the Jewish community here will not let fear silence them. “We are angry and outraged over this horrific act. We stand in solidarity with the victims, their families, and the Jewish community of Australia,” says Cardonick. 

A candle is lit at the memorial table for those lost in the Bondi Beach attack, symbolizing that flicker of hope in the Jewish community that never dies out. “Hannukkah is about finding light amid darkness, and we won’t let horrific acts like these prevent our community from coming together, from celebrating,” says Cardonick.

Families at the JCC are enjoying traditional Jewish food as they prepare to light the first candle on the menorah. Jewish leaders here hope that, in the wake of this tragedy, those outside the Jewish community will take a moment to join in the celebrations and learn more about the Jewish faith. 

“It’s easy for us to fold up and hide, but that’s not what the Jewish community does,” says Cardonick.

“We are one people. That’s what the saying on my hat goes. The Jewish people live, and even though we have differences within the community. We still have more in common than we do that’s not in common,” says President of The Jewish Federation of NEPA, David Fallk.