Hanukkah celebrations are taking place around the world, with events ranging from the lighting of the world's largest menorah in NYC to astronaut celebrations in space. However, these festivities are marred by incidents of anti-Semitism and hate crimes targeting Jewish individuals and synagogues. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and rising anti-Semitism have cast a shadow over the holiday, leading to increased security measures at menorah lightings and synagogues. Despite these challenges, Jewish communities are finding strength and resilience in coming together to celebrate Hanukkah and combat hate.
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Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, was celebrated around the world, but it was marred by incidents of antisemitism and violence. In space, astronaut Jessica Meir marked the holiday with a microgravity dreidel and a flameless menorah [Boing Boing]. In New York City, the world's largest menorah was lit on the first night of Hanukkah [NY Daily News], but on the same night, a Jewish man was attacked, beaten, and called a "dirty Jew" in an apparent hate crime [NY Post].
Celebrity Pink celebrated the holiday with her children and husband Carey Hart [People], while in Israel, families mourned and worried about loved ones being held hostage during the conflict with Hamas [CBS News]. In Phoenix, Hanukkah was celebrated with various events and gatherings [AZ Central]. Throughout the U.S., Jewish communities faced a rise in antisemitic incidents, such as a man firing a shotgun outside a Jewish temple in upstate New York [LATimes]. Rabbi Steven S. Rein was forced to resign from Harvard's Committee on Jewish Religious Life after sending a message about an "evil ideology" [Newsweek].
There were efforts to fight antisemitism during Hanukkah, such as Project Menorah, which aimed to promote solidarity and support for the Jewish community [AJC]. Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff condemned antisemitism and pledged support for the Jewish community [Washington Times]. Despite the challenges, Hanukkah brought communities together, with celebrations held in San Francisco, St. Louis, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh [KTVU][St. Louis Post-Dispatch][CBS News]. Jewish organizations in Michigan marked Hanukkah with resolve and determination in the face of fear [Detroit Free Press].
Hanukkah also received attention from political figures, with former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden both sending messages for the holiday [Newsweek]. Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld spoke about the significance of Hanukkah and the importance of unity and resilience [Newsmax]. Practical safety measures for menorah lightings were also highlighted [NY Times].
Overall, Hanukkah was a time of celebration, reflection, and resilience for the Jewish community. However, it was also a reminder of the ongoing challenges and the need to combat antisemitism and promote understanding and acceptance.
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