A mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney left 15 dead, casting a shadow over DC’s menorah lighting. Attendees showed resilience amid heightened fears.
WASHINGTON — At least 15 people are dead after a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. Authorities are calling it an antisemitic attack.
Meanwhile, here at home, the annual menorah lighting ceremony carried a different tone in the wake of violence.
“We have one response. Be more Jewish. Feel more Jewish. Look more Jewish,” said Rabbi Levi Shemtov.
Hundreds gathered on The Ellipse in DC for the annual menorah lighting. The event kicks off the first night of Hanukkah.
But this year, it happened just hours after a deadly mass shooting in Sydney, Australia.
“We dedicate this very event to those who perished in today’s massacre,” said Shemtov.
Rabbi Levi Shemtov led Sunday’s event. He told WUSA9 his great-nephew was hurt in the mass shooting and is currently in the ICU. He says another nephew and his family narrowly escaped.
“He was literally hiding in fear with his daughter as bullets were whizzing by. He survived. Miraculously,” said Shemtov.
DC Police said they were monitoring the attack. And while there didn’t appear to be a local threat, they still deployed resources to synagogues.
There was also extra security at Sunday’s Hanukkah event in DC. Attendees had to show IDs, go through metal detectors before they could enter, and additional security was seen around the perimeter as a safety precaution.
Some say they still showed up with fears.
“I was not nervous because of what happened in Australia. I am nervous of what’s happening in America – to see the rise of antisemitism. To rise of racism. The rise of exclusion of minorities from public spaces has made me nervous to do any large public gathering of a minority group,” said Lane Helford.