ARTICLE AD BOX
A St. Paul rabbi is asking Jewish Minnesotans to attend public menorah lightings across Minnesota to show “Jewish pride” in the face of an antisemitism attack that killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration in Australia.
On Sunday morning, two gunmen opened fire on Bondi Beach during a celebration marking the first day of Hanukkah. Many world leaders, including the British and Indian prime ministers, condemned the attack.
Rabbi Tzemach Feller, co-director of Chabad of Macalester-Groveland, says the news of targeted shooting is “heartbreaking.”
“The terror attack brings shock, hurt and grief to our community,” Feller said. “Nevertheless, we know that the only way that we can respond, and we must respond, is by increasing in light and in Jewish pride because people who target Jews expect us to cower in fear.”
One of the victims was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, whom Feller described as a colleague. Feller will be attending a public menorah lighting in St. Paul’s Macalester-Groveland neighborhood to honor him and the other victims of the massacre.
“Last year, [Schlanger] was asked about antisemitism, and he said the way forward is to be more Jewish, to act more Jewish, and to appear more Jewish. And we're going to do that for him and for all of the victims,” Feller said.
Chabad of Macalester-Groveland is hosting a menorah lighting on Sunday evening with a large turnout expected. Feller says the event will have increased security.
“Security is something that we take very seriously, and all of the Hanukkah events, including ours, will have significant security measures in place,” Feller said. “We’re in touch with local law enforcement as well. But the terrorists want us to be afraid, and we need to respond by redoubling our efforts to live openly and proudly as Jews.”
Other menorah lighting gatherings are happening in Minneapolis and Mendota Heights on Sunday evening and will be held throughout the next week. Feller hopes people attend the lightings despite the cold weather.
Local Jewish organizations have also condemned the mass shooting.
In a shared statement by the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, St. Paul Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and The Dakotas, the organizations say the terror attack “is a bitter reminder of the cruelty that can exist in our world.”
“We must not let evil defeat us. We wish you a Chag Sameach and vow to continue to promote joyful and safe Jewish life here in the Twin Cities,” read the statement.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the uptick in antisemitism is being felt in Australia and worldwide. “This Hanukkah, we must all be a light in the darkness of hate — the love that envelops fear of what makes us different,” he said.
English (US) ·