“On Thursday evening, the Dallas Jewish community gathered at Kyle Warren Park to light a menorah and celebrate Hanukkah, a ceremony that carried a heavier tone than usual after a tragic attack in Australia.
The Weight of the Night
The menorah lighting ceremony has been a yearly highlight at Klyde Warren Park, drawing large crowds each year. This year, organizers told NBC 5 that the event held extra weight because of the recent terror attack at a Jewish festival in Australia that killed 15 people. They emphasized that the gathering was a way to show pride in their faith despite the sadness that had settled over the past several days.
Symbolic Lighting
Five candles were lit on the menorah, each representing one of the five days of Hanukkah that had already passed. Hundreds of people assembled in the park to participate in the ceremony, sharing celebratory moments while also carving out space for reflection. The lighting was both a reminder of tradition and a quiet act of solidarity.
Voices of Resilience
Rabbi Mendy Plotkin spoke to the crowd, noting that the December 14th attack at Australia’s Bondi Beach made the event even more significant. He asked, \”In moments of terror, in moments of horror, do we step down? Do we get swallowed up by the darkness? Or do we come out brighter, louder, stronger?\” His words underscored the community’s determination to stand together.
The Bondi Beach Tragedy
On Sunday, during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, gunmen opened fire on the crowd, killing 15 people ranging in age from ten to eighty‑seven. Houston Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff had a nephew present at the celebration during the attack. The nephew survived the shooting but remains in critical condition, and Lazaroff described his nephew as a volunteer who had spent a year giving back to the local Jewish community and helping with Hanukkah events in Sydney.
Security and Support
Back in Dallas, sworn Dallas Police Officers and volunteer security from Shomer Texas kept a watchful eye over the celebration. An armed guard with Shomer Texas volunteer security explained, \”Our goal is to take the worries off of their shoulders so they can just enjoy and have a good time, celebrate, and leave the safety and security to us and know we’ve got their back.\” Their presence helped ensure the event proceeded peacefully.
Faith Amid Adversity
Rabbi Plotkin reiterated that the Jewish community would remain steadfast in their faith during this time. He said, \”We’re doing good and evil is not going to hurt us. It might take away some of our best, but we’re going to come back and shine better than ever before.\” Rabbi Lazaroff added, \”We, thankfully, have our Torah as our guidebook. And in the Torah, we know that’s what allows us to rise above all adversity.\”
Key Takeaways
- Dallas Jewish community lights menorah at Klyde Warren Park following an Australian terror attack.
- Five candles represent five days of Hanukkah, with hundreds gathering for celebration and reflection.
- Rabbi Mendy Plotkin and Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff emphasized resilience, faith, and the guiding role of the Torah.
The ceremony served as a powerful reminder that, even in the face of tragedy, faith and community can endure and grow stronger. The Dallas Jewish community’s gathering at Kyle Warren Park was a testament to their resolve and solidarity in the wake of violence and loss.”
Hi, I’m Cameron R. Hayes, the journalist, editor, and creator behind NewsOfFortWorth.com. I built this platform with a simple purpose — to deliver fast, clear, and trustworthy news that keeps Fort Worth informed and connected.
I’ve spent more than five years working in digital media, reporting on breaking news, local government, public safety, business growth, community events, and the real stories that shape life in Fort Worth. My goal has always been the same: to provide accurate, community-focused reporting that people can rely on every day.
