Bondi Beach massacre of Jews celebrating Chanukah underlines the importance of teaching children not to hate
We should always strive to be one human family that embraces kindness over bitterness and love over hate
I have walked the pristine white sands of Bondi Beach in Sydney many times. The sound of the waves crashing and the laughter and joy from children and their families is a symphony of happiness that I am now struggling to remember following the horrific massacre that took place on what, for many Jewish people, is one of our happiest holidays. Now there is only silence.
When I learned that Jewish people once again had been murdered, this time during their Chanukah religious celebrations, I immediately recalled the shock of the tragic events of October 7, 2023 and the aftermath of division and hostility that this caused for Jews and others throughout the world.
As a once frequent visitor to Australia, I became increasingly aware of its difficult and often violent history, of how some Australians continue to struggle with their first nation brothers and sisters and how, as in other countries, including our own, politicians often use xenophobic language to cause fear and loathing among those who are different in race, religion, and cultural background.
Compassion and kindness
Perhaps that is why the work of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, in visiting primary schools with representatives of different faiths and Police Scotland, has become so critically important. These programmes demonstrate the similarity of our values in promoting understanding, compassion, and kindness to one another.
And, with the presence of police constables, we demonstrate for young children that our justice system supports their freedom of religion and guards their right to inclusivity, diversity, and equality.
In addition to visiting schools, colleges, and universities we provide training several times each year for probationary constables within Police Scotland. Through these programmes, the new officers learn about the history and the sensitivities, as well as the practices of all faiths in our country, so that when they arrive at a place of worship they are able to conduct their work in an appropriate manner.
Swastika banned in Australia
I suppose this work is why, when the tragedy on Bondi Beach unfolded on Chanukah, the Jewish festival whose story ends with a celebratory miracle, I was first deeply saddened but later hopeful that, out of this dark time, countries such as Australia, which has banned the display of the Nazi swastika, can learn from this horror and through greater interfaith work in the schools and within their police help themselves and indeed all of us achieve rising hopefulness in the future.
In Hebrew, the word Hatikvah means “The Hope” and it is also the name of the national anthem of Israel. It is my sincere hope that this dark time of division and violence will soon be conquered by the eternal light symbolised by the menorah candles that millions of Jews, all over the world, will kindle this week as we celebrate Chanukah.
May each newly lit candle bring us closer together as one human family that embraces kindness over bitterness and love over hate.
Professor Joe Goldblatt is ambassador of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association and a member of the Jewish people. His views are his own.