PITTSBURGH –  Leaders of The Tree of Life, the site of the deadliest antisemitic attack in the United States, and The Tree of Life Congregation are offering prayers and words of support following today's horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Australia. 

In a statement, Carole Zawatsky, CEO of The Tree of Life, shared her solemn reflection on today's tragedy and offered a call to action to uproot antisemitism:

“This Hanukkah will be like no other as our hearts break for the victims of the antisemitic terrorist attack in Australia.

“Those murdered on the beach in Australia were gathering, as so many do this time of year, to celebrate Hanukkah. May their memories forever be a blessing. They are all in our prayers as we also grieve with the wounded and all who were directly affected by today's attack and who are forever changed because of it.

“Today's shooting feels like an attack on every Jewish person everywhere and is all too familiar to the Tree of Life Congregation and the Pittsburgh Jewish community. As we light the Hanukkah candles this year, may they burn even brighter to shed light on the urgent need for all of us, of all backgrounds and traditions, to uproot antisemitism.

“The antisemitism that drove today's attack did not appear out of nowhere. Antisemitism is independent of political ideology and often woven into how people understand the world. It is a threat to the safety and security not only of Jewish people but to everyone who believes in peace and harmony among peoples.

“Jewish tradition teaches that in the face of great tragedy, there are no words. Yet today we must find the words because this antisemitic attack is another tragic reminder of the urgent need to uproot antisemitism and hate, which have taken too many and left too many in fear of what could happen.”

Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life Congregation and survivor of the 2018 Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting, offered a brief prayer of resilience:

“I am broken after waking up to the news of yet more horrific antisemitic violence perpetrated as Jewish people gathered to mark the start of a holiday. Hanukkah is supposed to be a time of light, celebrating the resilience of our people. In the face of antisemitism and violence, my prayer is that we don’t let the fear win but instead lean into our Jewishness and practice our tradition proudly. And may the memories of those killed in Australia be for a blessing.”

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