As the candles of Hanukkah are lit over the coming days, may they serve as a reminder of resilience in dark times, the enduring power of community, and our collective responsibility to uphold dignity, safety, and respect for all.

Chag Hanukkah Sameach.

At Royal Roads, we stand in solidarity with Jewish members of our community and with Jewish communities everywhere. We mourn those who have been lost, grieve with their families and loved ones, and reaffirm our shared commitment to confronting antisemitism, violence, and all forms of hatred.

This year, the beginning of Hanukkah is overshadowed by profound tragedy. We acknowledge with deep sorrow the shooting that took the lives of 16 Jewish Australians. This act of violence, rooted in hatred, is a painful reminder of the antisemitism Jewish communities continue to face around the world.

Hanukkah is a festival of light, remembrance, and hope—honouring the courage to preserve identity, faith, and dignity in the face of persecution.