On Sunday morning I had planned to send to a number of my friends in the Jewish community a text message wishing them a happy Hanukkah as it was the first day of the celebration. Before doing so, I scrolled the news on my phone and, like so many others who saw it, was shocked by the news from Australia. There, 15 people were killed by a terrorist who targeted people celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah. Many of the friends I had planned to text on Sunday had for months been telling me about the rise of antisemitism they have been experiencing here in Canada. And now they were dealing with a horrific attack against the Jewish people on the first day of the Festival of Lights.
It wasn’t long before I received a message from a Jewish leader in Winnipeg asking if I would attend one of the Hanukkah ceremonies planned at a Winnipeg synagogue to show solidarity with the Jewish people. While I had not originally planned to attend, I immediately said yes and was honoured to be there and, as a Christian, address those in attendance and express our solidarity with the Jewish people on that difficult day. My wife and I felt blessed to be able to attend and to show support to the community that was both grieving a tragedy while also preparing to celebrate Hanukkah.
As Christians, we too are preparing to observe an important date on our spiritual calendar. Around the world Christians will mark Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ. In those observances we will celebrate how the coming of Jesus brought both hope to the world and shined a light into the darkness.
A significant part of the ministry of Jesus was about helping those who were hurting and those who were in need of help. He offered that help and that love and support without condemnation and judgement. For that reason a central theme in the Christian faith is Jesus as the light in the darkness.
During the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, a candle on the menorah is lit every day until nine are eventually burning. Hanukkah is not only a reminder of the resilience of the Jewish people but also a call to love and peace.
In a world that is so often divided, and many times by religion, there are important reasons to come together to show mutual respect and caring. While Christians and those in the Jewish community mark different religious occasions this December, there are also common elements.
For followers of both religions, there is a desire to live in a peaceful world where there is safety and security and freedom of religion. Where light can shine into dark places and where evil does not triumph.
To my many friends in the Jewish community I again, as I did this past weekend, express my sorrow for the attacks that happened in Australia and for the rise of antisemitism that is being witnessed around the world. Both as an elected member of the Manitoba Legislature and as a member of the Christian community, I stand with you in condemning these acts of violence. And I wish you peace and joy as you conclude the celebration of Hanukkah.
To those in the Christian community and to all Manitobans, I hope that this Christmas brings you, regardless of your circumstances, peace and joy and that in times of personal darkness, light overcomes it. May each of you have a blessed Christmas.
