Hundreds join Chabad to light ‘beacons of hope’ on Chanukah after Sydney terrorist attack

The 18th annual Scottish National Chanukah Celebration took place in Edinburgh, organised by its Chabad rabbi.

Scotland’s tallest chanukiah was lit in St. Andrew Square in front of members of both the Jewish and the wider community, who tucked into latkes and sufganiyot (doughnuts).

Rabbi Pinny Weinman of Edinburgh’s Chabad said: “Chanukah is a celebration of light, faith, and perseverance — a time when we remember that even a small flame can dispel great darkness. In light of the tragic events in Sydney that have shaken the Jewish community and so many others around the world, this message feels especially powerful”.

Rabbi Pinny Weinman (Photo: Toby Long)[Missing Credit]

Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, also spoke at the event. He said: “I know as a constituency MSP how much you [the Jewish community] contribute to the life of this city and how much this community has contributed to our story. Your government stands with you in celebrating your culture and your religion and particularly in solidarity with you tonight.”

He continued: “As we prepare to light the menorah, let us remember what those flames represent - they are more than candles, they are beacons of hope, particularly today and the eight days ahead.”

Bushey 

Far from retreating in the face of adversity, Bushey Chabad received a flurry of more than 200 last-minute signups in the hours after the news broke.

Overall, nearly 700 people celebrated their annual chanukiah lighting, which was circus themed, featuring rides, food, and an African acrobats show.

Bushey Chabad Chanukah celebrations (Photo: Bushey Chabad)[Missing Credit]

Rabbi Yosef Sharfstein, director of the Bushey Chabad, said: “Chanukah teaches us that in the face of darkness, we spread light. In the face of hate, we spread love. Each of you here tonight are the answer to the hate.”

Swansea

In Swansea, the furthest point west in the UK to host a lighting of a large chanukiah, more than 20 people attended a celebration to mark the start of the festival, organised under the auspices of Chabad of South Wales.

Chanukiah-lighting in Swansea (Photo: Chabad of South Wales)[Missing Credit]

The Swansea Jewish community is “tiny”, without an active synagogue, according to Rebbetzin Aidele Rose of Cardiff United Synagogue, one of the event’s organisers. Yet “the Jews who live there still came out on a cold wet night to celebrate Chanukah together”, she said.

Midlands

Over 150 people celebrated at Singers Hill Synagogue in Birmingham for the Midlands’ largest Chanukah gathering on the first night of the festival.

Chanukah at Singers Hill Synagogue (Birmingham Hebrew Congregation)[Missing Credit]

The event featured music from Rabbi Danny Bergson of St. Anne’s Hebrew Congregation and his son, Zvi. The “beautiful, soulful music” brought “hearts together in song”, according to Rabbi Yossi Jacobs, chief minister of Birmingham Hebrew Congregation.

Celebrations at Singers Hill Synagogue, Birmingham[Missing Credit]

“It was a night filled with light, unity, and strong emotion. Even with heavy hearts following the news from Sydney, our community came together to do what Chanukah teaches us best which is to add light, joy, and hope. In challenging times, we don’t dim the light – instead, we increase it,” he said.

Epping

Over in Essex, hundreds of people attended the chanukiah lighting, organised by Chabad of Epping. Guests included the Mayor of Epping Janet Whitehouse and a much-increased CST and Essex Police security presence.

Chanukah at Chabad of Epping (Photo: Rachelle Anderson)[Missing Credit]

During the event, an Israeli Jewish artist created “a large mural centred on Torah, mitzvot, community, Jewish hope, love, and light. Community members of all ages were invited to add their own messages of hope to the artwork, a gesture that took on added meaning in light of the day’s events,” said Chabad rabbi, Yossi Posen, saying: “Jewish light matters. Every person here brings their own unique light - and together, that light is stronger than fear”.

Epping local Sophie Raine described the pain being felt among the community, saying: “My children asked: ‘Why? Why would anyone target people simply for being Jewish?’ I don’t have an answer.”

Chanukah at Chabad of Epping (Photo: Rachelle Anderson)[Missing Credit]

“But what I do know is this ache isn't new. We've been here before. Across centuries, across countries, across generations - moments where light is met with hatred, where faith is met with violence. And each time, we grieve, we remember, and ensure we carry on lighting the candles.”

Islington

Back down in London, hundreds convened on Islington Green for payers and latkes, including Islington Mayor Jason Jackson and local MP Emily Thornberry.

She said: “It’s a really dark time, and antisemitism in Britain is rising as it is across the world and in Islington”.

“I like to think of us as being a kind of a light. If you look at the number of people who have come, they come because of hope, they come in solidarity, they come because of belief”.

In a letter sent to members of Chabad Islington, Rabbi Mendy Korer, who personally knew Rabbi Eli Shlanger, said: “Today, we do not give in to terror. We do not dim our light. We come together – stronger, louder, prouder, and we light the darkness.

Rabbi Mendy Korer at Chabad of Islington Chanukah event (Photo: Chabad of Islington)[Missing Credit]

“It is chilling to realise that [Sydney] was meant to be the first public menorah lighting in the world this Chanukah – an attempt to spread fear everywhere, to make Jews think twice about gathering, singing, or shining openly.

“So, come. Bring your family. Sing. Stand shoulder to shoulder. Warm your hands with hot chocolate and your hearts with Jewish pride. Let the world see that when darkness tries to intimidate us, we respond with light.”

Hammersmith

Around 50 people congregated in Hammersmith for a candle-lighting ceremony, attended by local MP Andy Slaughter.

The atmosphere was defiantly jovial, with speeches, dancing, and doughnuts.

Bystanders were pulled in to join in with the dancing, and some of the ten police officers present tucked into sufganiyot.

Chanukah at Chabad Hammersmith & Fulham (Photo: Daniel Ben-David)[Missing Credit]

Rabbi Osher Krichevsky of the Hammersmith & Fulham Chabad, who also personally knew Rabbi Eli Schlanger, spoke at the event, mentioning the ‘Beautiful Six’ hostages who lit a chanukiah and sang “Ma’oz tzur” while being held in Hamas terror tunnels during Chanukah in 2023.

“It’s a lesson for us”, he said. “It’s about the human faith, the human right, and the belief that every single Jew has, in their heart, that they have a responsibility [to be resilient and proud of their Judaism]”.

Guildford

In Guildford, over 100 members of the Jewish community gathered in the city’s guildhall to celebrate Chanukah, lighting a giant menorah, which will remain illuminated throughout the eight nights of the festival.

Rabbi Alex Goldberg from Guildford Synagogue said: “We [lit the menorah] with heavy hearts. Earlier today, the horrific shooting at a Chanukah celebration in Bondi, Sydney, shocked us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were murdered, the injured, their families, and the wider Australian Jewish community. Their pain was very present with us as we kindled the lights.

“It was a public affirmation of religious freedom and the right to live, gather, and celebrate openly and without fear.”

Leaders and members of the Jewish community mark Chanukah in Guildford[Missing Credit]

The Jewish community was joined by Cllr Howard Smith, the Mayor of Guildford; Julia McShane, the Leader of the Council, and local MP Zöe Franklin.

Rabbi Goldberg said: “This evening, our Chanukiah shines in the heart of the town, blending into Guildford’s Christmas celebrations and lights. Together, they send a powerful and deeply moving message: that we coexist; that we live together; and that people of all faiths—and of none—are free to mark their beliefs openly, peacefully, and with dignity.

“Today there were those who sought to frighten and divide. Tonight, we responded together: we lit the lights, we ate doughnuts, we sang songs, and we affirmed that fear will not define us. Love, pluralism, and respect are at the heart of this season — whatever your faith or belief.”

Walthamstow

In Walthamstow Village, around 30 people gathered on Sunday night to mark the first night of Chanukah. It was the area's third annual menorah lighting – and largest so far – hosted by Leyton and Wanstead Synagogue (LAWS).

Lighting a menorah in Walthamstow[Missing Credit]

It might have been a small and slightly haphazard affair – featuring a makeshift menorah balanced on a bin – but the ruach was strong; Rabbi Yitzchok Austin from Chabad delivered a powerful message of strength and unity in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack, and Walthamstow's MP Stella Creasy was there with her family – as was local resident Sharone Lifschitz, whose parents Oded and Yocheved, were kidnapped from their home on Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 and taken to Gaza, where Oded was murdered.

Additional reporting by Siam Goorwich