TEL AVIV, Israel — As the Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah, begins, Rabbi Shaul Reizes is seen climbing onto a scissor lift with a blowtorch in hand. He ascends towards a grand menorah while asking the excited children gathered below, “Are you ready!?” The joyous response of “Yes!” echoes across Habima Square as he lights the first candle, leading both children and adults in singing the traditional Hanukkah blessings.
However, this year's celebrations are shadowed by a tragic incident that occurred thousands of miles away in Australia, where gunmen opened fire during a similar event, resulting in the loss of at least 16 lives, including a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor. This heartbreaking news casts a somber tone over the festivities in Israel, where families looked forward to celebrating Hanukkah, especially following a ceasefire in Gaza that has persisted since October 2023. Notably, almost all hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attacks have been returned, sparking a renewed sense of hope for many.
The Orthodox Jewish Chabad movement annually lights large menorahs in cities worldwide, including Israel. Rabbi Reizes emphasized that the violence in Australia will not deter their mission. “What they want to do is to bring more darkness to the world, and we are sure that our mission now, especially this night, is to bring more lights to the world,” he asserted.
This year marks the first time since the COVID pandemic and the onset of conflicts that large public celebrations for Hanukkah are taking place in Tel Aviv. Alice Eldar, a local resident, expressed her relief at the return of such festivities. Her toddler joyfully danced with a glowstick, exclaiming “Hanukkah!” Eldar shared how she felt that life was gradually returning to normal, allowing her family to partake in public menorah-lighting ceremonies and enjoy traditional jelly-filled donuts, known as sufghaniyot.
Despite the festive atmosphere, the backdrop of rising antisemitism looms large, especially following the recent attack in Australia. Eldar, who is not Jewish but raises her children in the tradition, noted the increasing vulnerability felt by Jewish communities globally, despite enhanced security measures at schools and synagogues. “You're seeing more and more of these kinds of antisemitic attacks, and this sentiment of intense hatred of Jewish people again... It’s really depressing,” she remarked.
In contrast, many Jews in Israel feel a sense of safety, given that the majority share their faith. However, the violence from militant attacks, including the one that ignited the Gaza war, has left lingering fears. This perspective was echoed by Raz Kahlon, a 28-year-old who had dreams of visiting Australia. “Hearing about the shooting is like getting a big ‘no’ on the country,” he lamented as he rode his bike through Habima Square.
A short distance away, a vigil was held at Frishman Beach, where a crowd gathered to honor the victims of the mass shooting in Australia. Attendees lit memorial candles, arranging them into a Star of David, and sang prayers for peace. Among the participants was Ben Freeman, a Melbourne native, who spent much of his Sunday reaching out to friends and relatives in Sydney. “I felt that it was important that I show up this evening,” he stated, relieved that his loved ones were safe.
Freeman reflected on his decision to move to Israel, citing an increase in antisemitism in Australia that he had personally experienced. “When October 7 happened, things shifted massively in Australia,” he noted, expressing disappointment in the Australian government’s response to rising antisemitic violence. He echoed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s sentiments, criticizing the government’s failure to address the escalating threats against Jewish communities.
Eli Parkes, who has been living in Israel for a decade, highlighted that many in the Australian Jewish community are descendants of Holocaust survivors who sought refuge far from the antisemitism of Europe. “We thought we were the blessed Jews who didn’t have to deal with all that,” he said. However, recent years have revealed the harsh reality of rising hatred.
As the Hanukkah festival unfolds in Israel, it serves not only as a time of celebration but also as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by the Jewish community globally. The resilience shown in the face of adversity underscores the significance of light in the darkness, a message that resonates deeply during this time of year.