Chanukah greetings from the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader
Prime Minister Scott Morrison:
Chanukah is a significant and festive time for Jewish families everywhere, a moment to commemorate the miracle of the oil.
For 2,000 years the Jewish people have reminded themselves of this story of faith and freedom through the best of times and the very worst.
In the good times, it has reminded the Jewish people of their blessings and in the bad times, it sustained them.
By retelling the Chanukah story, Jewish Australians remind themselves that our commitment to freedom must be continually tended and renewed.
At home and abroad, Australia and Australians have always been a proud friend of the Jewish people.
As a free democratic people, we live in a land of peace and acceptance – a place where you are free to be whoever you want to be.
In our country, Jewish Australians have contributed mightily to our land and have lived out the call of Jeremiah to “pray for the people of the city for if it prospers so shall you prosper”.
As Australia’s Jewish community gathers over the eight days of Chanukah, may each of you be strengthened and refreshed by your faith – and give thanks for the freedom of our shared home.
Chanukah Sameach!
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten:
It gives me great pleasure to send my well wishes to the Australian Jewish community for the celebration of Chanukah.
Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, commemorates the cleansing and re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean war some twenty-two centuries ago.
Chanukah is an uplifting story of hope and liberation, and a time to celebrate with friends and family, give thanks for our blessings and reach out to those less fortunate.
On behalf of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party, I pay my deep respects to the Australian Jewish community during Chanukah. I honour your devotion and faith, which finds expression in important religious festivities like this as well as in the day to day Jewish traditions.
Labor rejoices in our nation’s cultural diversity and we recognise that our collective strength lies in the peaceful rituals of our myriad cultures, faiths and traditions that have come to represent one story – our modern Australian story.
As the candles on the Menorah burn after the sun sets, may you all enjoy a Happy Chanukah filled with peace, love and joy.
Chanukah Sameach.
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