Within the hours after two gunmen opened fireplace at a Hanukkah celebration on Australia’s Bondi Seashore in Sydney, killing at the least 15 individuals, Rabbi Noah Farkas, president of the Jewish Federation Los Angeles, fielded a barrage of calls from Jewish mother and father throughout Los Angeles.
How, they questioned on the primary night time of Hanukkah, ought to they shield themselves? Was it protected to convey their kids to a synagogue? Ought to they even collect to rejoice?
Farkas urged Jews throughout Los Angeles to not be deterred.
“The entire level of terrorism is to terrify Jews from coming collectively,” he stated, noting it was no coincidence that Hanukkah takes place in the course of the darkest nights of the 12 months.
“When the night lights are at their darkest, that’s after we mild candles down right here on Earth,” he stated. “And we add mild to mild over the course of the week.”
As a whole bunch of hundreds of individuals put together to collect throughout Los Angeles this week to rejoice Hanukkah, synagogues are upping safety and Los Angeles police are growing patrols.
The federation stated it was working with regulation enforcement to make sure security at occasions.
“All Federations and their neighborhood safety initiatives are on full alert for the Chanukah celebrations of their communities, working with all our regulation enforcement companions,” the group stated in an announcement. “Our neighborhood won’t ever retreat within the face of hatred, and can by no means chorus from carrying on our Jewish traditions. Relatively, we are going to use each software at our disposal to verify our communities are protected and that our lights burn all of the brighter.”
The Los Angeles Police Division additionally stated Sunday morning that it was “deeply saddened” by the taking pictures in Sydney and would offer further patrols at Jewish locations of worship, faculties and Hanukkah celebrations throughout L.A.
“Whereas there isn’t a identified menace to Los Angeles presently, the LAPD stays vigilant and dedicated to defending our numerous communities,” the division stated in a message on X.
“The LAPD will proceed to work intently with our native, nationwide, and worldwide companions to observe developments and make sure the security of our metropolis,” the assertion stated. “Collectively, we will honor the spirit of Hanukkah by standing united towards hate and violence.”
Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin, govt director of Chabad.org, a part of the worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch motion, stated the assault at Bondi Seashore was calculated to “snuff out” the Hanukkah message at its core as a result of that metropolis’s giant celebration kicks off Hanukkah for the world, “spreading the vacation’s magnificence in domino-like succession to tens of hundreds of locales throughout the globe as nightfall begins domestically.
“Little did they understand, nonetheless, that identical to within the very Chanukah story itself, their efforts would catalyze far better observance of Chanukah and encourage a lot, far more Chanukah mild — throughout the complete globe! — than ever earlier than.”
The group emailed its tens of millions of followers on Sunday, urging them to redouble their deliberate menorah lightings.
“When darkness assaults, Chanukah teaches us to struggle again with mild, pleasure and, sure, pleasure!” the e-mail proclaimed. “Let’s rededicate ourselves so as to add extra mild in honor of these murdered in Sydney. Let’s come out proudly to public menorah lightings, and ensure to kindle our personal menorahs at dwelling.”
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) stated in an announcement, “Antisemitism is rising. Hate is rising. Based on the FBI, regardless that Jews make up solely round 2 % of the U.S. inhabitants, they had been the goal of almost 70 % of all reported faith‑primarily based hate crimes in 2024….
“I refuse to cover who I’m. At this time, I’ll bear in mind these we’ve misplaced and rejoice Hanukkah with my neighborhood…. We is not going to be intimidated.”
Rabbi Zushe Cunin, who heads the Chabad of Pacific Palisades, stated the Hanukkah celebration shall be doubly significant.
“How devastating it might be that the neighborhood is coming collectively after the fires and they’re scared away due to some dastardly act,” Cunin stated. “We will’t shut down pleasure and life and love.”
Although the Chabad synagogue survived the January fireplace, the ceremony was being held, because it historically is, in Palisades Village.
Cunin stated developer and former mayoral candidate Rick Caruso will double down on the safety he normally gives for the occasion within the procuring heart he constructed.
“We had been already anticipating a bigger crowd due to the importance of the hearth,” Cunin stated. “Now I believe persons are going to be coming collectively to help one another due to this unacceptable scenario.”
Cunin stated he met with Councilmember Traci Parks, who dedicated “no matter property are wanted, to verify the neighborhood feels protected.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the Sydney assault as “yet one more horrific antisemitic act of terror on the Jewish neighborhood” and “a devastating reminder that antisemitism continues to rise all over the world.”
“Los Angeles holds the Jewish neighborhood in Australia and right here at dwelling in our hearts,” Bass stated in an announcement on X, noting that the town had reached out to the Australian consul common in Los Angeles to supply condolences and help.
The LAPD inspired all Angelenos, particularly these attending synagogues and Hanukkah occasions, to remain alert and report considerations. “Keep heightened situational consciousness when attending spiritual companies or neighborhood gatherings,” LAPD stated. “In case you see suspicious habits or exercise, name 9-1-1 instantly.”
The division additionally suggested Jewish neighborhood and religion leaders to revisit their safety procedures and speak to LAPD in the event that they wanted extra patrols or help.
Farkas, the Jewish Federation president, stated a extra far-reaching response is required. He careworn that many within the Jewish neighborhood had known as on L.A. officers to do extra.
“We’ve known as for a lot of occasions for laws to be handed and enforced to create exclusion zones round homes of worship, in order that Jews can safely go to synagogue, identical to we would like Christians to soundly go to highschool and Muslims to soundly go to mosque.”
Many Jews throughout L.A. usually are not simply afraid, Farkas stated: They’re additionally offended.
“They’re offended at politicians, they’re offended at regulation enforcement and so they’re offended on the common society, as a result of antisemitism isn’t a Jewish downside, it’s a societal downside,” he stated. “It shouldn’t be on us to resolve this downside.”
