12/15/2025
Statement of UNLV Task Force on Jewish Identity and Inclusion regarding the Hanukkah massacre
The members of the UNLV Task Force on Jewish Identity and Inclusion, like all people of decency, were appalled and dismayed by the news of the massacre of Jews in Sydney, Australia, including two rabbis, Yaakov Levitan and Eli Schlanger, and a Holocaust survivor, Alexander Kleytman; Reuven Morrison, who had fled persecution in the Soviet Union and a 10-year child. We express our sorrow for and support of the families and of the Jewish community of Sydney and the people of Australia. May the memories of the 15 (so far) murdered be for a blessing and inspire us all to action against the hatred and violence of this act. And we express our wishes for complete healing in body and spirit of the more than 60 injured.
It is worth noting that the massacre targeted a public celebration of the festival of Hanukkah. Hannukkah is known as the “festival of lights.” While the lighting of candles is frequently associated with vigils or expressions of peace, in this instance, the lighting of the candles is intended to “publicize the miracle” of the successful revolt of the people of ancient Judeah to restore their freedom of religious worship and their political independence from the Seleucid Empire in their ancestral homeland. Tradition holds that all people, Jewish or not, can participate in this observance by viewing the candles and acknowledging the Jewish identity they represent. We invite all members of the UNLV community not only to join us in expressing their support for all people fearing for their safety, but also to join us in bearing witness to the persistence and resilience of Jewish identity, who should be included as being at home and belonging wherever they have made their home, whether by choice or necessity, and who are constantly aware of the necessity to publicize our miracle of existence.
As we light the first candle tonight, may we, in the words of Peter Yarrow, recall the pain of those “whose right to exist” is denied and for the “terrible sacrifice that justice and freedom demand.” May we light a candle for “wisdom to know/ when the peacemaker’s time is at hand.”
