Dec 14, 2025

Greater Miami Jewish Federation, its JCRC and RAGM horrified and saddened by the mass shooting at Hanukkah event in Sydney

The Greater Miami Jewish Federation, its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Rabbinical Association of Greater Miami (RAGM) are horrified and saddened over the mass shooting in Sydney, Australia, targeting the Jewish community during a Hanukkah celebration and murdering at least 11 people and injuring dozens more.

We stand in solidarity with the Sydney Jewish community and thank law enforcement and a good Samaritan for their decisive response that saved countless lives. We are grateful for the swift condemnation of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling the shooting, “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation,” and that “an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian.” We are equally grateful for Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s condemnation, stating “antisemitism has no place in this world.”

Horrific acts of violence are not only the result of the tremendous rise in antisemitism worldwide over the last several years, but also the failure of governments and societies to unequivocally denounce this scourge of hate with moral clarity. We offer our condolences and support to the Australian Jewish community, and we pledge to continue to loudly celebrate Hanukkah and be proudly and openly Jewish in Miami-Dade County. As always, Federation’s Office of Community Security maintains an ongoing partnership with law enforcement, synagogues and all local Jewish organizations to ensure proper coordination to keep our community safe.

May the victims’ memories forever be a blessing, and may the injured have a refuah shlema (a full and speedy recovery).