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In this episode, we talk with Rabbi Joseph Edelheit to reflect on one of the darkest moments of this Advent season and how faith communities are navigating grief, fear, and resilience.

On December 14, 2025, a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia — known affectionately as “Chanukah by the Sea” — turned into a scene of unspeakable violence when two gunmen opened fire on the Jewish community gathered to welcome the Festival of Lights. At least 15 people were killed, and dozens more were wounded in what authorities and community leaders have characterized as a terrorist attack with antisemitic intent.

In the midst of global mourning, believers across traditions are asking how our faith shapes responses to such hatred.

To guide the conversation, Rabbi Jospeh suggested “The Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting was an attack on Judaism” by Jeffrey Salkin, which argues that this tragedy is not an isolated act of violence but part of a broader pattern of attacks that seek to desecrate Jewish life and faith itself. The piece challenges both Jewish and non-Jewish readers to reckon honestly with rising antisemitism and what it means to defend not only people but the sacred rhythms of religious life.

Whether you’re listening from a church pew, a living room candlelighting, or on a long walk, this episode is our invitation to sit with hard questions and to remember that faith calls us to stand with those made vulnerable, even when the world feels unbearably heavy.

📍 Tune in, subscribe, and join us for a conversation about grief, memory, and the work of love in dark times.

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