In Grief and Solidarity After the Sydney Hanukkah Shooting

Quakers Australia join our voice to the many expressing our shock, condemnation and deepest grief at the mass shooting of Jewish people at a Hanukkah gathering in Sydney, a terrible act of antisemitic violence.

Quakers invite us all to consider how we respond to violence in ways that reflect love and courage. Only love can carry us through this time of grief. Only courage can take us beyond violence.

Quakers invite us all to show solidarity with Jewish people in this time of deep pain and fear. This can be done through reaching out to Jewish friends and local groups. There are public Hanukkah events, solidarity vigils, memorials. We must continue to speak out against antisemitism whenever we see it.

Quakers invite us all to also be alert to scapegoating of any part of the Australian community and to speak against it.