Statement on terror attack in Sydney, Australia

On this day, when we will light the first candle of Chanukah, our community in Nashville and around the world woke up to the news of the attack on Jews celebrating Chanukah in a public place in Sydney, Australia. While the details are still emerging, we know that so far, 12 of our precious brothers and sisters have been murdered, and many have been wounded.

May the memories of the dead be remembered for a blessing, may the injured receive a complete and speedy refuah shlema, may the mourners be comforted among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and may the entire Australian Jewish community be comforted in their grief.

Tonight, and throughout the coming eight days, our community is filled with activities and events in celebration of Chanukah. These activities will continue as planned. There are several steps we are taking to ensure our safety and security.

First, our community security partners are on high alert. Every Jewish institution is working to make sure that all events planned for today and the coming days are protected by the highest security standards. The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville, is coordinating with state, local and federal law enforcement, working collaboratively with the Secure Community Network and sharing information for situational awareness and security with community agencies and synagogues.

We thank all the local law enforcement officials and community volunteers who help protect our community and urge the highest level of vigilance today and throughout Chanukah. Our new community security director, who will be in place soon, will add a much needed layer of coordination and response, in these challenging times.

Second, we ask that local officials, local media, and the entire civic leadership of our broader community make it clear that the attacks in Sydney were a deliberate terrorist act targeting Jews as they celebrated the first night of Chanukah and must be loudly and clearly called out as antisemitism. There can be no equivocating or uncertainty.

Third, while we will continue to do everything in our power to protect the safety of every Jew in our community, the primary responsibility for our security as Tennesseans and as Americans, to gather in public spaces to celebrate Jewish holidays, belongs to our government. Our government officials at every level must know that these threats are real, and that we hold them responsible and accountable for protecting our community during Chanukah, and always.

Tonight, and throughout the week, when we light our Chanukah candles we should place them proudly in our windows. The essence of the holiday is the fight of the Maccabees, a small but determined minority, to stand up against the forces that wanted to force our people to abandon our faith. When we bless the candles, we remind ourselves of these events that happened in ancient times but that could also happen today. We are standing up today as the Maccabees did in ancient times and we are not afraid. We will grow and flourish here in Nashville, in the United States, and around the world

Judy Alperin, CEO, Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville

Aron Karabel, President, Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville