Hanukkah: Jewish leaders spreading pride, support after Sydney terror attack

Inaugural Hanukkah car parade spreads 'Jewish pride' following deadly mass shooting

The Scottsdale community gathered for car parades on the second night of Hanukkah following the recent mass shooting in Australia. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz learns more on how they are spreading pride and support amid their pain and fear.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Hanukkah began on Dec. 14, according to the website Chabad.org, and for 2025, the annual Jewish festival was marred by a terror attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

What they're saying:

In the midst of the tragedy in Australia, people all over Arizona are celebrating the second night of Hanukkah. Light-up menorahs could be seen in car parades everywhere. But for many in the Jewish community, it’s a scary time.

"I do know some people unfortunately, you know, we're afraid to come out tonight," said one rabbi.

"There’s a certain nervousness," added another.

Jewish leaders said Hanukkah is about not letting the light die out even in the darkest of times. While their hearts are heavy with everything happening in Australia, they said it’s never been more important to get out and celebrate their faith.

The backstory:

The attack, according to our previous reports, happened on Dec. 14 (local time), and resulted in the death of 15 people— from a young child to a Holocaust survivor. 29 others were also injured as a result.

Australian officials said a father and his son were involved in the attack. The father, identified as a 50-year-old man, was shot and killed by police, while the son, identified as a 24-year-old, was wounded and taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Investigators said one of the gunmen was known to the security services, but that there had been no specific threat. Mass shootings in Australia are extremely rare. Following a 1996 massacre in the Tasmanian town of Port Arthur, where 35 people were killed, the government drastically tightened gun laws and made it much more difficult for Australians to own guns.

Hanukkah: Police step up security after massacre

Dec. 15 is the second night of Hanukkah, and police across the U.S., including here in Phoenix, are stepping up security following the deadly massacre at an event in Sydney, Australia. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz has more\.

Local perspective:

Jewish Valley leaders said their people are in pain.

"They’re all our brothers and sisters. And we are definitely one big family hurting," said Rabbi Mendel Vaisfiche with the Chabad of Scottsdale.

"Many people are really... they’re hurt," said another community member.

But it’s during dark times like these that Jewish leaders in the Valley say it’s most important to bring the light.

"I think it's important not just for the Jewish community, but for all people to really be proud of who you are, what you represent, not let hate take over your life and really make you afraid of coming out," said a community member.

Dig deeper:

In the Phoenix area, there will be an extra police presence during celebrations, and that includes the Chabad of Scottsdale, which held its inaugural Hanukkah car parade to the State Capitol on Dec. 15 to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah.

Organizers of the parade said it's all to spread the feeling of indescribable Jewish pride, and given the tragedy in Australia, they said it couldn't have come at a better time.

"It’s really important to spread the pride of being Jewish, especially with everything going on in the world," said Rabbi Mendel. "Whenever they try to push us down, we get right back up. The miracle of Hanukkah was the miracle of the oil, and just like an olive, the more you crush it, the more you squeeze it, the more oil comes out. So the more they push us down, the more proud we’ll be. The more we’ll show it, show it, and the more we’ll be out there spreading the good message."

"We're not going to let the light die out. And we're here to celebrate with hundreds of people who drove the streets tonight with our menorahs on our car, which is pretty uplifting and powerful to see that Arizona comes out to show support for the Jewish community," said another rabbi.

Rabbi Vaisfiche said he has family and friends who were hurt — and one even killed — in the attack. He said all people of the Jewish faith are a family, and they all feel the pain from the attack.