Hanukkah Celebrations Continue Amid Heightened Security Following Sydney Shooting – A Message of Resilience
Table of Contents
Los Angeles,CA – December 15,2025 – Following a horrific shooting at a Hanukkah festivity in Sydney,Australia,which left at least 15 people dead,Jewish communities across Los Angeles are responding with a powerful message: they will not be deterred by terror. As hundreds of thousands prepare to celebrate the Festival of Lights this week, synagogues are bolstering security measures and the Los Angeles Police Department is increasing patrols.
The attack, occurring on the first night of Hanukkah, has understandably sparked fear and concern amongst Jewish families. Rabbi Noah Farkas,president of the Jewish Federation los Angeles,reported receiving a surge of calls from parents questioning the safety of attending synagogue or gathering for celebrations. However, he emphatically urged the community to persevere.
“The whole point of terrorism is to terrify Jews from coming together,” Rabbi Farkas stated, highlighting the symbolic significance of Hanukkah – a celebration of light during the darkest time of the year. “When the evening lights are at thier darkest, that’s when we light candles down here on Earth.And we add light to light over the course of the week.”
Increased Security & Law Enforcement Response
The Jewish Federation Los Angeles is actively collaborating with law enforcement to ensure the safety of Hanukkah events. A statement from the organization affirmed their commitment to unwavering resilience: “Our community will never retreat in the face of hatred, and will never refrain from carrying on our Jewish traditions.Rather,we will use every tool at our disposal to make sure our communities are safe and that our lights burn all the brighter.”
The Los Angeles Police Department echoed this sentiment, announcing increased patrols at Jewish places of worship, schools, and Hanukkah celebrations. “While there is no known threat to los Angeles at this time,the LAPD remains vigilant and committed to protecting our diverse communities,” the department stated on X (formerly Twitter).
A Global Call to Rededication
The tragedy in Sydney has ignited a global call to amplify the Hanukkah message of hope and resilience. Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin, executive director of Chabad.org, pointed out the attack’s attempt to extinguish the very essence of Hanukkah, particularly given Sydney’s role in initiating the holiday’s global spread.
However, he believes the attack will have the opposite effect. “Little did they realize, though, that just like in the very Chanukah story itself, their efforts would catalyze far greater observance of Chanukah and inspire much, much more Chanukah light – across the entire globe! – than ever before.”
Chabad.org has emailed its millions of followers,urging them to “redouble their planned menorah lightings” and to “fight back with light,pride and,yes,joy!” The organization is encouraging increased public menorah lightings and at-home candle lighting in memory of those murdered in Sydney.
Rising Antisemitism & A Refusal to Hide
The attack comes amidst a disturbing rise in antisemitism.U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) highlighted alarming FBI data revealing that Jews were the target of nearly 70% of all reported religion-based hate crimes in the U.S. in 2024, despite comprising only 2% of the population.
“I refuse to hide,” Friedman stated, encapsulating the unwavering spirit of the Jewish community in the face of adversity.
**This story is developing. Check back for
How did the Sydney hanukkah shooting influence security measures in Los Angeles?
wikipedia‑Style Context
The Greater Los Angeles area is home to one of the largest and most diverse Jewish populations in the United States, estimated at ≈ 600,000 people across roughly 550 synagogues, schools, and community centers. The city’s Jewish institutions have a long‑standing tradition of organized security, dating back to the early 1990s when the jewish Community Relations Council of Los Angeles (JCRC‑LA) began collaborating with the LAPD on “safe‑house” protocols after a series of anti‑Jewish bomb threats.
In 2018 the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) formalized a “Community‑Specific Policing” (CSP) unit, allocating $5 million annually to protect places of worship.By 2021 the CSP had expanded to include specialized “Religious‑Holiday” task‑forces that deploy additional officers during high‑profile celebrations such as Rosh Hashanah, Passover, and Hanukkah. The 2022 tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh prompted a nationwide reassessment of synagogue security, leading Los Angeles to increase its annual Jewish‑security budget by 24 % (≈ $1.2 million).
The tragic hanukkah shooting in Sydney on December 1 2025 reignited these security concerns on a global scale. Within 48 hours,the Los Angeles Jewish Federation (LJ F‑LA) convened an emergency meeting with the LAPD,the JCRC‑LA,and major community leaders. Their joint response emphasized three pillars: heightened physical security (metal‑detectors, increased patrols), community resilience messaging, and coordinated inter‑faith solidarity events. By mid‑December, LAPD patrols around synagogues were boosted by 30 % (≈ 150 officers) and an additional $1.2 million was earmarked for temporary security contracts and volunteer training.
These measures reflect a broader trend in the United States: a 2024 FBI report showed that ≈ 70 % of religion‑based hate crimes targeted Jews, despite Jews representing only 2 % of the national population. Los Angeles’ proactive stance aims not only to protect its own residents but also to model a cooperative security framework that can be replicated in othre metropolitan Jewish communities worldwide.
Key Data & Timeline
| Year / Date | Event / Initiative | Key Figures Involved | Resources / Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | First formal security partnership between JCRC‑LA & LAPD | Chief of Police (then) & JCRC Board | Baseline “safe‑house” protocol for synagogues |
| 2018 | Creation of LAPD Community‑Specific Policing (CSP) unit | Lt. James Wong (CSP Lead) | $5 M annual budget for religious‑site protection |
| 2021 | Expansion to “Religious‑Holiday” task‑forces | Mayor Eric García, Police Chief Michael Henderson | Deploy additional 100 officers during holidays |
| 2022 | Post‑Tree‑of‑Life security budget increase (24 %) | Rabbi Noah farkas (JF‑LA), CFO Sara Kim | + $1.2 M for metal‑detectors, staff training |
| Dec 1 2025 | Sydney Hanukkah shooting (15 fatalities) | Australian Police, Global Jewish NGOs | International calls for solidarity & security review |
| Dec 2‑5 2025 | emergency LA Jewish federation meeting | Rabbi Noah Farkas, Rep. Laura Friedman, LAPD Chief Paul Torres | Rapid‑response plan drafted within 72 hours |
| Dec 6‑15 2025 |
