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Members of Richmond's Jewish community are pressing forward with a public Chanukah menorah lighting Sunday evening, hours after a terrorist attack at a similar celebration in Sydney, Australia, left at least 11 people dead and 29 hospitalized.
Rabbi Yitzchok Wagner of Chabad of Richmond said the ceremony at Marina Bay will proceed as scheduled at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, with Richmond Police coordinating security for the event.
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"We are absolutely shocked and devastated by devastating news from Australia," Wagner said in a statement released Sunday morning, describing the attack at Bondi Beach as targeting "the very idea of Jewish light, Jewish presence, and Jewish pride."
The Sydney incident occurred during what would have been one of the first public menorah lightings worldwide for the eight-day Festival of Lights, which began Sunday evening.
Wagner invoked the teachings of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, who pioneered public menorah lightings globally, in calling for the Richmond community to gather in solidarity.
"Our response to darkness and evil is more light," Wagner wrote. "Our response to fear is unity and strength."
The Richmond event continues the community's Chanukah tradition.
Hanukkah’s symbolism shines bright in Marina Bay menorah lighting
The Richmond community came together on Sunday night to celebrate Hanukkah at a public menorah lighting at the Barbara and Jay Vincent Park in Marina Bay. Rabbi Yitzchok Wagner of the Chabad Jewish Center of Richmond told the story of Hanukkah and the small jug of oil that was only
Soren Hemmila
Wagner urged attendees to view their participation as both a memorial and an act of resilience. "We WILL light the menorah in their memory and honor," Wagner said, emphasizing that the celebration would proceed "with strength, dignity, and resolve."
The Chanukah holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of oil that burned for eight days. Public menorah lightings have become common worldwide, particularly in the decades since Schneerson encouraged the practice.
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