The Oak Park and River Forest faith communites held a candlelight vigil Monday night honoring the victims of an antisemitic terrorist attack in Australia.
Oak Park Temple, Temple Har Zion and Community of Congregations, a local interfaith organization, held a candlelight vigil Monday night to pay respect to the at least 15 people who were killed in a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. As of Tuesday, 25 others are still in the hospital being treated for wounds suffered during the attack, according to the Associated Press.
The vigil was held at Oak Park Temple on Harlem Avenue.
The groups held the vigil to “to mourn those who died, pray for healing for the survivors, and light our Hanukkah candles to pray for light and peace for all of the world.”
“Around the world hearts are shattered following the news of the massacre that occurred at a Jewish communal gathering at Bondi Beach in celebration of Hanukkah,” the group said of the event.
Of the two shooters, believed by Australian authorities to be a father and son, one is dead and the other is in police custody at a hospital. Police believe the shooting was a “terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State,” according to the Associated Press.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect Temple Har Zion’s role in the vigil. Wednesday Journal regrets the error.