(Updated 12:40 p.m. December 14, 2025)

As Saskatoon’s Jewish community hosts a community celebration of Chanakuh, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at the Remai Modern with the lighting of a giant Menorah, as well as words from dignitaries and children’s activities, on the other side of the world the same type of celebration was marred by a mass shooting in Sydney, Australia.

Mal Lanyon the New South Wales Police Commissioner says one of the identified gunmen had an improvised explosive device in the trunk of their car.  Police are searching for more I-E-D’s.11 people have been killed and 29 others

Eleven people have died plus one of the shooters and 29 others are injured including two police officers with one in surgery and both with injuries described as serious verging on critical. The other known shooter was taken into custody and is in life threatening condition.

It was the first day of Chanukuh which brought together Sydney’s Jewish community to Bondi Beach considered one of Sydney’s most iconic beaches.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese called it a targeted attack of terrorism. He added that an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on all Australians.