I had originally intended that my message from Council this evening would be a simple, joyful one. One, most importantly, to wish everyone in the LBPSB community the very best for the upcoming winter break in their celebrations and festivities, or in quiet and reflection, enjoying those special moments and time.

That message has not changed but I have added, unexpectedly, and with deep sadness and dismay, that our hearts go out to all who are suffering in the Jewish community, to our Jewish family, friends, colleagues, and people in all communities, after the tragic, terrible, horrific, Bondi Beach Chanukah by the Sea terrorist attack this weekend targeting Jewish people who had gathered in celebration of the first day of Hanukkah. This should have been a night of peace and joy.

Since this recent tragedy, with its violent, blatant antisemitism and fear it was intended to instill, I have been reading and hearing messages of solidarity and resilience, that there must be the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair and unity over division. Love, kindness and compassion are louder than hatred. Hope, joy, love and light will guide us. Let this be true. Let this be who we are.

I would like to ask for a moment’s silence to reflect on finding that light, on surrounding ourselves with light while passing it along to others in solidarity in a world where we are mourning the loss this month of those, most recently, so tragically, and most notably at Bondi Beach, of students at Brown University this past weekend, and, as well, as we remember Sandy Hook on December 14, 2012, and the École Polytechnique on December 6, 1989.