B"H
December 14, 2025 | 24 Kislev, 5786
We Respond to Darkness With Light
Dear Friends,
This morning we woke up to devastating news from Australia - an act of hatred aimed not only at innocent people, but at the very idea of Jewish light, Jewish presence, and Jewish pride.
It is chilling to realize that this was meant to be the first public menorah lighting in the world this Chanukah. An attempt to spread fear everywhere, to make Jews think twice about gathering, singing, or shining openly.
But this is exactly what Chanukah teaches us: when darkness tries to intimidate, we respond with light.
Tonight, and throughout Chanukah, we stand together with Jews across the world, with strength, unity, and pride in who we are. We do not give in to terror. We do not dim our light. We come together, stronger, prouder, and united, and we bring light to the darkness.
We pray for all of the victims and their families, for the quick and full recovery of those who were injured, and for comfort and strength for all who are shaken by today’s terror.
We also pray for the family of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, HY"D, the Chabad emissary from Bondi, Sydney, Australia, who was murdered in the terror attack, killed while doing what we strive to do every day: bringing light, care, and Jewish life to others. You can learn more about him here.
If you would like to say Tehillim at home, we recommend reciting Psalms chapters 20, 121 and 130.
List of names to pray for:
Yonatan ben Tziporah
Yacov Dov ben Pnina
Chaya Mushka bas Shterna Sara
Ruvein ben Manya
Yaakov ben Ethel
Arsen ben Zoya
Yaakov Halevi ben Miriam
Dovber ben Talya
Moshe ben Benyamin
Moshe Yonatan ben Tzipporah
Toba bat Feiga
Elon ben Ira
Feivel Eliezer ben Dobra Bella הי”ד
Elon ben Shimshon
Yehuda Leib ben Manya
Shoshana bat Minette
Levi Zev ben Elisheva Rochel
We also encourage you to light the menorah tonight and every night for the next eight nights of Chanukah, to spread light in the darkness. If you don't have a menorah, please reach out to us or to your local Chabad, and they will be glad to help you get one.
May we merit to see a world filled with peace, safety, and revealed goodness.
With prayers, strength, and hope,
Rabbi Schneur Z. & Chanie Oirechman
