The news out of Sydney hit close to home for one West Hollywood Jewish community. One that is comfortable showing up for the High Holy Days, celebrating Hanukkah, praying in synagogue, and doing the simple things that comes with Shabbat or a walk to shul — without stopping to wonder if it’s safe.
In an email sent to congregants, Rabbi Mordechai Kirschenbaum and Pessa Kirschenbaum of Chabad Sunset Strip said they woke up to news of a terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, where innocent people were killed for showing up to celebrate.
Australian authorities say at least 15 people were killed and dozens more were injured in the attack, which took place Sunday, Dec. 14, during a Hanukkah event near Bondi Beach.
Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, described in multiple reports as a Chabad emissary and community leader who was preparing to light a public menorah.
The Kirschenbaums told community members the tragedy is personal for their family. In the email shared with WEHOonline, Rabbi Kirschenbaum said his wife, Leah, grew up in Sydney and still has family there, and that relatives who attended the event had to hide during the attack but were safe. He also wrote that Pessa grew up just a few blocks from the area and is familiar with many of the people killed and injured.
Their point, though, was not to retreat.
The email urged people to light a menorah this year, even if they hadn’t planned to, and said the group has extras available for anyone who needs one. It also invited the community to attend upcoming Hanukkah celebrations, saying security would be increased and handled by professional staff working with authorities.
They included a line that captured the tone of the message in plain terms, “We don’t hide. We shine.”
Chabad Sunset Strip is based on Cory Avenue, and serves West Hollywood and nearby neighborhoods with Shabbat and holiday programming.
Locally, the group has held public holiday events in the past, including community menorah lightings and gatherings around Hanukkah.
The Kirschenbaums also said they are stepping up distribution of free menorah kits after the Sydney attack and encouraged community members to share kits with friends and family who may need one. The email asked recipients to reply to arrange a pickup time.
They also asked for prayers for those wounded, listing the following names:
Yonatan ben Tziporah, Yaakov Dov ben Pnina, Chaya bat Shterna Sara, Reuven ben Manya, Yaakov ben Ethel, Arsen ben Zoya, Yaakov HaLevi ben Miriam, Dov Ber ben Talya, Moshe ben Binyamin, Moshe Yonatan ben Tzipporah, Toba bat Feiga, Elon ben Ira, Feivel Eliezer ben Dobra Bella, Elon ben Shimshon, Yehuda Leib ben Manya, Shoshana bat Minette, Levi Zev ben Elisheva Rochel.
In response to the Sydney attack, officials have also stepped up security in major cities here at home. In Los Angeles County, authorities have added extra patrols around Jewish facilities and Hanukkah events. In New York City, leaders said the NYPD is deploying additional officers at Hanukkah celebrations and synagogues as the holiday begins.
It’s obviously been a really distressing past 48 hours, and it’s OK if you’re feeling on edge or unsettled. Take care of yourself. Put the phone down for a bit, stop doom scrolling. Check in on friends and loved ones, even with a quick text. And if you see something that doesn’t look right, say something, don’t talk yourself out of it. Report it. For emergencies or anything happening right now: call 911. For non-emergencies in West Hollywood: you can call the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310) 855-8850.
To report suspicious activity or a possible terrorism-related tip to the FBI: call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online here.
Thank you for this piece Brian and wish you didn’t have cause to write it. Chabad had their annual menorah lighting, well attended and peaceful, at the Hermosa Beach Pier last night.
Our President has rightly called Ahmed Ahmed, a Syrian emigrant to Australia, a hero for disarming one of the gunmen, even as he sustained two bullet wounds himself.
He was sitting at a cafe and ran towards danger. Our country could use more of his kind.