On a blustery winter evening in the Sullivan County Catskill Mountains, members of the local Jewish community braved frigid temperatures to gather at Bethel Woods for the first-ever Chabad-sponsored public Chanukah menorah lighting. Wrapped in coats and scarves, families, children, and elders came together not only to mark the beginning of the eight-day festival but to affirm resilience, unity, and hope at a moment of profound global grief. 

The celebration took place against the backdrop of a painful day for Jews worldwide, following an attack during a Chanukah gathering on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. The Jewish world is small, and the tragedy felt personal for many in attendance, including those with direct ties to the victims–Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a Chabad emissary in Sydney. Prayers and thoughts were offered for the souls of those murdered and for the recovery of the injured. 

Assemblywoman Paula Elaine Kay addressed the crowd before the lighting. “Tonight is an important night, always every year, but because of the horror of last night in Sydney it’s more important than ever,” she said. “We are here together spreading joy, love and peace.”

Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt in the second century BCE, and the miracle in which a single day’s supply of oil burned for eight. It is a holiday rooted in perseverance, defiance, and faith.

Rabbi Yosef Dovid Chanowitz quoted the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s message that “a small amount of light dispels much darkness,” urging the community to respond not with fear, but by increasing acts of light in homes and public spaces, dedicated to the victims.

Rebbetzin Shterna Sara Chanowitz echoed that sentiment, calling the menorah lighting “epic” and noting that “everyone felt like one family.” She graciously thanked Bethel Woods for welcoming the community and helping show “that light always wins.”

As the beautifully serene sunset stretched across the sky, men linked arms and danced, singing ancient Chanukah songs of survival, faith, and strength. With latkes and sufganiyot (Hebrew for doughnuts) in hand, members of the community shared words of hope and resolve.