Richmond leaders, along with members of the Jewish Community, gathered at City Hall in December to light a Menorah in observance of the second night of Hanukkah — a celebration marked by both joy and reflection following a deadly shooting at a Hanukkah event in Australia the day before.

The annual Menorah lighting brought together Richmond Mayor Danny Avula, Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras, Police Chief Rick Edwards, and other city leaders on Monday, Dec. 15.

While the ceremony included prayer, song and tradition, the speakers - Mayor Avula and Rabbi Ahuva Zaches of Congregation Or Ami -  acknowledged the targeted mass shooting in Sydney, Australia, that left at least 15 people dead.

In her remarks, Rabbi Zaches shared the story of Hanukkah but noted, “In light of yesterday’s horrific shooting in Australia, the attack on the Jewish community there at the Hanukkah by the Sea event — I feel like this sits in a different context. ..."

“We will stand for people of all faiths being welcome here in City Hall and in our city, here in Richmond,” Avula said.

For her full remarks, visit Or Ami Facebook's page at https://or-ami.com/

At the ceremony, Richmond Community Members, along with the Mayor, gather around the sign held by  Ephraim Seidman,  "We Stand With the Sydney Community - Richmond, Virginia, USA

That message was echoed by other community leaders, including Sam Richardson,  Director of the JCRC with the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.

Speaking with a local TV station, he said, “Nobody was shocked or really surprised, but it really is just a statement — a grief that we are still fighting for our existence,” Richardson said.