On Sunday evening, the first night of Hanukkah, menorahs were lit across Los Angeles — from downtown to Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades and the Skirball Cultural Center. Virtually every neighborhood in the city, both indoors and out, had a Menorah lighting celebration. Thousands of Jews gathered to celebrate the ancient triumph of the Jewish people over the Syrian-Greeks, dedicating the lightings to the victims of the devastating terror attack in Sydney, Australia, which had taken place only hours earlier in Bondi Beach.
In Pacific Palisades, Chabad of Pacific Palisades held a Hanukkah concert and menorah lighting at Pacific Village, with former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso, the owner of Pacific Village, in attendance.
Thousands attended Village Synagogue’s Chanukah Concert & Menorah Lighting at Pan Pacific Park LA. The evening took place, mere hours after the news of the Bondi Terror attack, and thousands showed up in solidarity and to ensure the light of chanukah shone brighter than ever. Ezzi and the Zusha band performed, there were remarks by Chief of Police, the Menorah was lit by Jonah Platt and Dovid Lieder, the cousin of murdered Rabbi in the Bondi Terror Attack, Rabbi Eli Schlanger.
J Los Angeles (JLA) and Chabad of Miracle Mile celebrated at the Original Farmers Market. This year’s event featured a large ice sculpture menorah, which collapsed about 90 seconds before it was scheduled to be lit. Thankfully, ice carving specialist Robert van Diggele — also known as “Robert the Iceman” — quickly pivoted, using another large block of ice to create a smaller menorah. The improvised menorah was successfully lit by Joe Alexander, a 103-year-old Holocaust survivor, who sang prayers together with Rabbi Chaim Fischer of Chabad Miracle Mile. One remaining piece of the original ice sculpture was also incorporated into the ceremony.
“Our hearts and thoughts remain with the entire Jewish community in Sydney,” said David Siegel, CEO of J Los Angeles. “We dedicated our Hanukkah celebration at the Original Farmers Market to the Sydney community, as we gathered with JLA friends and many new faces to sing songs, dance, and light the menorah. In moments like this, Jewish joy feels especially powerful and serves as a reminder that fear does not define Jewish life.”
