After the season’s first snowfall dusted Village Square, members of the Glen Cove and Sea Cliff community gathered Sunday evening for Chabad’s annual Hanukkah menorah lighting, a 25-year tradition that took on added meaning amid news of a deadly antisemitic attack overseas. Despite frigid temperatures and heightened security, residents stood together in the snow as prayers were offered and candles were lit, underscoring a message of resilience and unity.
The celebration came just hours after Australia suffered one of the deadliest massacres in its history, when two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish Hanukkah gathering near Bondi Beach in Sydney. The mass shooting left 15 people dead and dozens more injured. Authorities have classified the attack as terrorism, saying the alleged attackers — a father and son — were motivated by extremist ideology. The father was killed at the scene, and the son has since been charged with multiple counts of murder and terrorism.
In Glen Cove, the news prompted an increased police presence at Village Square, where officers stood watch throughout the evening. Organizers said the decision to move forward with the menorah lighting reflected a refusal to allow fear to interrupt religious expression or community traditions.
Rabbi Eli Shuster of Chabad of Glen Cove acknowledged the tragedy as he addressed the crowd. “Hanukkah is about light, and yet there are those throughout generations that have attempted to bring darkness to the world by their actions,” he said. “But we would never allow such behavior to change our actions in bringing light. We will double our efforts.”
Shuster said the community was keeping the victims and their families in mind as the holiday began. “We pray for all those who need recovery from their injuries and for the many, unfortunately, that have been murdered,” he said. “We will be here, bringing more light into the world.”
Rabbi Mendy Sholom thanked city officials, police and first responders for their support, noting that the mayor reached out earlier in the day to ensure the event could proceed safely. “The best response to terrorism is not to be terrorized,” he said, pointing to the increased security presence at the square.
Sholom said the attack was especially personal for members of the Chabad community. “This was a Chabad event. This is a friend of ours that was killed,” he said, adding that a relative who attended the Sydney menorah lighting survived. “But we’re still here, and we’re not scared.”
Nassau County legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, city councilmembers Grady Farnan and Michael Ktistakis were also in attendance and representatives of the Glen Cove Police Department. Panzenbeck said the city stood firmly with the Jewish community. “In Glen Cove, we love you,” she said. “You have all of our support, and you have our prayers.”
Councilwoman Marsha Silverman echoed that sentiment, calling on residents to respond to hatred with unity. “We have to stand taller and brighter and shine the light for everyone,” she said. “That’s what Glen Cove is about — standing next to each other and spreading light, rather than the message of hate we saw this morning in Australia.”
Because of the weather and safety concerns, organizers opted not to light the large menorah this year, promising it would return “bigger and better” next year. The evening concluded with prayers for the victims in Australia and a reaffirmation of the community’s commitment to faith, solidarity and light in the face of violence.
