Vancouver’s Jewish community reacts to shooting in Australia

The Jewish community in Vancouver is reacting with shock and grief after a violent attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia Sunday.

While the tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people and injured dozens more, took place on the other side of the world, local community leaders say it hit close to home.

“This is an incredibly painful time for our community,” said Ezra Shanken, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver.

“There are just so many similarities between our communities here in Canada and those in Australia.”

It also feels particularly raw due to the timing, Shanken says.

“To see something this horrific happen to the community in Australia at a time that is supposed to be about bringing light into the world is really just shocking.”

The immediate local concern is about security, he says, but this is nothing new.

“Security has been a priority for our community forever, especially since Oct. 7,” he said, referring to the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023. “We have worked in partnership with the [Vancouver Police Department], the RCMP, and police forces across the province to ensure that everybody is safe and secure when they go out to celebrate this holiday or any other program that’s going on throughout the year.”

On Sunday, the VPD announced it was stepping up its presence at Jewish community events in response to the shooting.

Shanken says they are grateful for this rapid response.

“They were on this so quickly, and we’ve got nothing but love for them in this moment. We are telling people that our law enforcement, they’ve got our backs.”

He says the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver has long been working to maintain dialogue and share events and meals with groups across all faiths.

“We have never stopped opening the doors and keeping the lines of communication open across all communities.”

He says there are those who have no interest in these inroads and dialogue, and Sunday’s horrific attacks are yet another reminder of the dangers of unchecked extremism.

“If we are not putting our foot down and saying, ‘Guys, this isn’t us, this is not what we do here,’ then we are going to just drift down the river in the way of Australia, God forbid,” he said.

“Do we want Bondi Beach to be Kits Beach? What do we want to do here?”

Shanken says the tragedy is about all of us.

“This is not about the Jewish community. It’s not about conflict overseas,” he said.

“This is about how we build our society here and what we do to create a safe space for everyone.”

Our reaction will determine what we want Canada and British Columbia to look like for years to come, he says.

“I personally want a place that’s filled with love and light, where we embrace each other for who we are, where we find safe haven and dialogue, where we can come together in shared values, and we don’t [tolerate] violence against people who are trying to peacefully practise their religions.”

As Hanukkah continues, Shaken says community members must respond visibly, urging people to push back against fear by lighting their menorahs and sharing pictures online.

“I feel for every member of our community that is out there today feeling unease and challenge in this moment,” he said.

“Now, more than ever, we need this. We need to show our resilience, because it is this light that dispels darkness.”