Los Angeles Jewish groups ramp up Hanukkah activities after Bondi Beach attack

Hours after two gunmen opened fire during Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, killing at least 15 people, Rabbi Noah Farkas, president of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, received a flurry of calls from Jewish parents across Los Angeles.

How should they protect themselves, they wondered on the first night of Hanukkah? Is it safe to take children to synagogue? Should they get together to celebrate?

Farkas urged Jews across Los Angeles not to be intimidated.

“The whole purpose of terrorism is to intimidate Jews from coming together,” he said, noting that it’s no coincidence that Hanukkah takes place on the darkest night of the year.

“When the lights are at their dimmest at night, we light candles on Earth,” he said. “We keep adding light throughout the week.”

As hundreds of thousands prepare to gather in Los Angeles this week to celebrate Hanukkah, synagogues have stepped up security and Los Angeles police have stepped up patrols.

The federation said it is working with law enforcement to ensure the event is safe.

“All Federations and their community safety initiatives remain on high alert for Hanukkah celebrations in our communities and work with all of our law enforcement partners,” the organization said in a statement. “Our communities will never back down in the face of hate and will never stop carrying on our Jewish heritage. Instead, we will use every tool at our disposal to keep our communities safe and our light shine brighter.”

The Los Angeles Police Department also said Sunday morning it was “deeply saddened” by the Sydney shooting and would provide extra patrols at Jewish places of worship, schools and Hanukkah celebrations across Los Angeles

“While there are currently no known threats to Los Angeles, the LAPD remains vigilant and committed to protecting our diverse community,” the department said in a message on X.

“The LAPD will continue to work closely with our local, national and international partners to monitor developments and keep our city safe,” the statement said. “We can honor the spirit of Hanukkah by uniting against hate and violence.”

Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin, executive director of Chabad.org, part of the international Chabad-Lubavitch movement, said the attack on Bondi Beach was intended to “kill” the core message of Hanukkah, as the city’s massive celebration kicks off Hanukkah for the world “as local dusk begins, spreading the beauty of the holiday like dominoes to tens of thousands of places around the world.”

“Little did they realize, however, that like the Hanukkah story itself, their efforts would contribute to the broader Hanukkah celebration and inspire more, more Hanukkah light—around the world!—than ever before.”

The group sent an email to millions of fans on Sunday urging them to double planned menorah lightings.

“When darkness strikes, Hanukkah teaches us to fight back with light, pride and joy!” the email declared. “Let us recommit ourselves to adding more light to honor those murdered in sydney. Let us come to the public menorah light with pride and be sure to light our own menorahs at home. “

U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) said in a statement, “Anti-Semitism is on the rise. Hate is on the rise. Although Jews make up only about 2% of the U.S. population, they were the targets of nearly 70% of all reported religion-based hate crimes in 2024, according to the FBI…

“I refuse to hide who I am. Today I will remember those we have lost and celebrate Hanukkah with my community… We will not be intimidated.”

Rabbi Zushe Cunin, director of Chabad of Pacific Palisades, said the Hanukkah celebration will have a dual meaning.

“What a devastating thing it would be for a community to come together after a fire, only to be scared away by some despicable act,” Kunin said. “We cannot shut down joy, life and love.”

Although the Chabad synagogue survived a fire in January, the ceremony was traditionally held in the Palisades Village.

Developer Rick Caruso, a former mayoral candidate, will double down on the security he typically provides for events at malls he builds, Kunin said.

“We were already expecting larger crowds due to the severity of the fires,” Kunin said. “Now I think people will come together to support each other because of this unacceptable situation.”

Kunin said he met with Councilmember Traci Parks, who promised “whatever assets are needed to make sure the community feels safe.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the Sydney attacks as “yet another horrific act of anti-Semitic terror against the Jewish community” and a “devastating reminder that anti-Semitism continues to rise around the world”.

“Los Angeles is Australia’s Jewish community and home to our hearts,” Bass said in a statement on X, noting that the city had contacted the Australian Consulate General in Los Angeles to offer its condolences and support.

The Los Angeles Police Department encourages all Angelenos, especially those attending synagogues and Hanukkah events, to remain vigilant and report concerns. “When attending a religious service or community gathering, maintain a high level of situational awareness,” the Los Angeles Police Department said. “If you observe suspicious behavior or activity, call 9-1-1 immediately.”

The department also recommended that Jewish community and religious leaders revisit their security procedures and contact the LAPD if additional patrols or support are needed.

Farkas, president of the Jewish Federation, said a more far-reaching response was needed. He stressed that many in the Jewish community are calling on Los Angeles officials to take more action.

“We have repeatedly called for legislation to be passed and enforced to create exclusion zones around places of worship so that Jews can safely go to synagogues, just as we want Christians to go to school safely and Muslims to go to mosques safely.”

Farkas said many Jews across Los Angeles are not only scared, but angry.

“They’re angry at politicians, they’re angry at law enforcement, they’re angry at society in general because anti-Semitism is not a Jewish problem, it’s a social problem,” he said. “This problem should not be solved by us.”