ZAKA Volunteers Mark Eighth Night of Chanukah at Site of Sydney Terror Attack
On Erev of Zot Chanukah, before the eighth candle had been lit in Israel, volunteers from ZAKA’s International Unit in Sydney, Australia, marked the lighting of the final Chanukah candle at the scene of the horrific terror attack. The emotional ceremony was held together with members of the local Jewish community, symbolizing light and resilience in the face of tragedy • Read More, Photos
Nachman Dikstein, Commander of ZAKA Europe, who remained in Sydney with the community, was honored with lighting the eighth candle. He chose to stay on to assist and support the local Jewish community during these difficult days in the aftermath of the attack.
“I chose to remain with the community to strengthen, to listen, and to help in every way possible,” Nachman Dikstein said. “Part of ZAKA’s mission is to be present not only at the scene itself, but also alongside the people and the broken hearts left behind. To light the Chanukah candles precisely at the site of this murderous attack is a powerful expression of the idea that a small amount of light can dispel much darkness.”
At the conclusion of their sacred work in Sydney, the ZAKA volunteers received a moving letter of appreciation from Rabbi Levi Wolff, one of the Shluchim of the Rebbe in Sydney, thanking them for their self-sacrifice and dedication in carrying out holy work far from home, even during the days of Chanukah. In his letter, Rabbi Wolff wrote, among other things: “Chanukah is not only about the light in our homes, but about bringing light into the darkest of places… You are a living example of true kindness.”
Most members of the ZAKA delegation returned to Israel on Friday after completing their mission at the site, while representatives of the organization remained in Sydney to continue accompanying and supporting the local Jewish community.
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