Hours after two gunshots were fired at a Hanukkah celebration on Australia’s Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing at least 15 people, the President of Busish Federal Los Angeles, fielded calls from Jewish parents across Los Angeles.
How did they even wonder on the first night of Hanukkah, should they protect themselves? Was it safe to bring their children to the synagogue? Should they even meet to celebrate?
Farkas urged Jews across the Los Angeles area not to give up.
“The whole point of terrorism is to scare Jews into coming together,” he said, noting that Hanukkah could not happen during the darkest night of the year.
“When the lights are good in the dark, that’s when we make candles that make candles here in the world,” he said. “And we’re adding a light so that it shines during the week.”
As hundreds of thousands of people prepare to gather across Los Angeles this week to celebrate Hanukkah, synagogues are raising security and Los Angeles police are on the move.
The Federation said it is working with law enforcement to ensure safety at events.
“All agencies and their public safety programs are fully alert for Chunukah celebrations in their communities, working with all of our law enforcement partners,” the agency said in a statement. “Our community will never back down in the face of hatred, and we will never refuse to carry our Jewish traditions. Instead, we will use every tool at our disposal to make sure our communities are safe and that our lights are all burning.”
The Los Angeles Police Department also said Sunday morning that it was “deeply saddened” by the shooting in Sydney and would provide additional charges at Jewish places of worship, schools and Hanukkah Boulders.
“While there is no known threat to Los Angeles at this time, the lake remains vigilant and committed to protecting our diverse communities,” the department said in a message to X.
“LAPD will continue to work closely with our local, national, and international partners to monitor developments and ensure the safety of our homes,” the statement said. “Together, we can honor the spirit of Hanukkah by standing against hatred and violence.”
Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin, Executive Director of Chabad.org, Part of the International Chabad-LuLavitch Movement, “spreading the beauty of the holiday in a domino sequence,” spreading the beauty of the holiday in a national domino sequence around the world as dusk falls in your neighborhood.
“They didn’t see much in the news alone of Cnanukah itself, their efforts will encourage greater observance of Chanukah and inspire much, much more light around the world!”
The organization emailed its millions of followers on Sunday, urging them to dim the light from their Menorahs.
“When darkness attacks, Chanukah teaches us to fight with light, pride, yes, joy!” The email was announced. “Let’s postpone it to add more light to honor them he was killed in Sydney. Let’s proudly go out to light memorahs in the community, and make sure our menorahs are at home. “
US Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) said in a statement, “it means antisemitism. Hatred is rising. According to the FBI, although Jews only make up 70 percent of the 202.
“I refuse to hide who I am. Today, I will remember those we lost and celebrate Hanukkah with my community…. We will not be intimidated.”
Rabbi Zushe Cunin, who heads Chabad of Pacific Palisades, said the Hanukkah celebration will be a difficult one.
“How difficult can it be that the community comes together after the fires and they are afraid because of some dasturly action,” said Cunin. “We will not shut down happiness, life and love.”
Although the Chabad Synagogue survived a fire in January, the event was held, as is tradition, in the village of Palikades.
Cunin said former developer Rick Caruso will double the security he usually provides for the event at the shopping center he is building.
“We were already expecting a big crowd because of the importance of the fire,” said Cunin. “Now I think people will come together to support each other because of this unacceptable situation.”
Cunin said he met with the Tracin Traci Parks Council, which has made “whatever supplies are needed, so that the community feels safe.”
Los Angeles Mayor Raren Bass described the Sydney attack as “another act of antisemitic terror against the Jewish community” and “a devastating reminder that antisemitism continues to rise around the world.”
“Los Angeles holds the Jewish community in Australia and home in our hearts,” Bass said in a statement to X, “so the city had come to the Australian Consul General in Los Angeles to offer condolences and support.
The lapd encouraged all Abilosi, especially those who attended synagogues and Hanukkah events, to stay awake and report concerns. “Maintain situational awareness when attending religious services or social gatherings,” said Lapd. “If you see suspicious behavior or activity, call 9-1 immediately.”
The Department also informed community leaders and Jews to reopen their security procedures and contact the lapd if they need additional patrols or support.
Farkas, the Jewish Grand President, said a more far-reaching response was needed. He emphasized that many in the Jewish community have called on LA officials to do more.
“We have called many times for laws to be passed and enforced to create evacuation zones around houses of worship, so that Jews can go to the synagogue safely, just as we Christians can go on a boat and Muslims can go safely to the Mosque.”
Many Jews in LA are not just afraid, Farkas said: And they’re angry.
“They are angry at politicians, they are angry at law enforcement and they are angry at society in general, because antisemitism is not a Jewish problem, it is a social problem,” he said. “It shouldn’t be up to us to solve this problem.”
