A Message from Author Jayneen Sanders following the Bondi Terror Attack
Hanukkah, in the Jewish tradition, means light over darkness, faith and resilience. And, as in so many religious traditions that we also celebrate here in our wonderful multicultural Australia, light over darkness is the universal theme of ‘good triumphing over evil, truth over falsehood, knowledge over ignorance, and hope overcoming despair’.
So, after the devastating shooting of innocent people celebrating Hanukkah on Bondi Beach, the most iconic beach in Australia, we look to those words when we help our young people and ourselves process and overcome our sadness and fear. And overcome it we must. We must never let the act of the few, who wish to divide us, do just that — divide us.
For children, the most important thing is to feel safe. I believe it comes even before feeling loved. We saw many acts of courage on the day of the shooting. We saw a hero in Ahmed al Ahmed, a Syrian man who so bravely threw himself on an armed gunman. How many souls he saved we will never know.
We heard of a mum, Jessica Rozen, looking for her own three-year-old son, lay her body over a terrified young girl she did not know, and reassure her she was safe by repeating over and over again, ‘I’ve got you.’
These acts of bravery are who we are. These are the lessons we can teach our kids. As Mr Rogers always said, ‘Look for the helpers.’ And on this day, there were so many many brave, kind and caring helpers.
There were the police putting their own lives at risk to apprehend the shooters.
There were the paramedics, moving quickly to help the wounded, even when there was an active shooter.
There were the doctors and nurses who happened to be there on their days off, running in to help.
There were the lifeguards doing what they do best, protecting and saving people.
There were café owners, people picnicking, tourists admiring our iconic beach; all swift to help the dying and wounded without a moment’s hesitation for their own safety.
This is what we teach our kids, look for acts of bravery, service and kindness. These are the people keeping them safe. This is community. This is Australia.
Teach children that there is hope. There is empathy. And there is love.
Hanukkah means light over darkness.
