Ohio Jewish Caucus Mourns Lives Lost in Hanukkah Attacks in Sydney

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Jewish Caucus today released the following statement mourning the 15 lives lost and more than 40 injured following a targeted shooting at Sydney, Australia's Bondi Beach on the first night of Hanukkah. The shooting took place as over 1K people convened at Bondi Beach for a Hanukkah celebration, and it is Australia's largest mass casualty event in nearly 30 years. A bystander, Ahmed al Ahmed, disarmed one of the two assailants and sustained minor injuries, likely saving lives.

"As Jewish families around the world came together to light the first candle of Hanukkah, an unspeakable act of hate took 15 lives during a celebration in Sydney, Australia. While Hanukkah celebrates the resilience of the Jewish people, we are once again reminded of the increase in antisemitism which places Jewish lives at risk," said the Ohio Jewish Caucus. "We mourn for the lives lost to this senseless violence, yet we continue to celebrate Hanukkah with our loved ones as an act of tradition, remembrance, and community. In a time of darkness, the Hanukkah celebration is an ancient reminder to always seek out the light."

The Ohio Jewish Caucus is proudly represented by Reps. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna), Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati), Christine Cockley (D-Columbus), Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood), Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Township) and Senator Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson).