Despite the evil antisemitic terror attack in Australia, which left 16 dead and scores hospitalized, on Sunday, the annual lighting of the Menorah to commemorate the first night of Hanukkah was held as scheduled on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. Even with below-freezing temperatures, crowds were still in attendance, in a show of solidarity and celebration.
Lots of spirit and even some dancing in frigid temperatures at @chabad’s National Menorah Lighting for the 1st night of Hanukkah at The Ellipse in Washington (it feels like -13 degrees C with the wind chill) #Hanukkah #hanukkah2025 pic.twitter.com/RO7uKG3zeY
— Michael Lipin (@Michael_Lipin) December 14, 2025
Rabbi Levi Shemtov, the Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), began his remarks by requesting prayers for Australian fruit shop owner Ahmed al Ahmed. Ahmed bravely confronted one of the terrorists on Bondi Beach, Australia, wrestling the gun away from him and holding him until police could intervene. Rabbi Shemtov also asked for a moment of silence in honor of those who had lost their lives.
Read More: Watch: Jaw-Dropping Video Shows Moment Hero Bystander Takes Down Bondi Beach Terrorist
12 Dead in Sydney Terror Attack As Gunmen Target Jewish Families at Bondi Beach Hanukkah Gathering
❤️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/IKDfneIj1u
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) December 14, 2025
After the moment of silence, Rabbi Shemtov spoke to the determination of the international Chabad Lubavitch movement to go forward with its Hanukkah celebrations that had been planned worldwide.
Now obviously this event is the most prominent celebration of Hanukkah if not the most widely publicized Jewish event anywhere in the world. I join with over 5,000 of my colleagues in all 50 states and over 110 countries who are organizing some 15,000 public Hanukkah events. The decision was made by the central organizational leadership of the international Chabad Lubavitch movement to continue with our public celebrations of Hanukkah, obviously with increased security measures as you’re very easily able to see today. So that the darkness that came over our colleagues and across the greater Jewish community as a result, will be answered with strength, light, and resistance.
WATCH:
Moment of silence at the start of the annual lighting ceremony of the National Menorah on The Ellipse outside the White House by Rabbi @shemtovdc.
“The darkness that came over .. across the greater Jewish community.. will be answered with strength, light .. and with resilience.” pic.twitter.com/QbRzUI01sR
— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) December 14, 2025
United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, and other dignitaries were present at the menorah lighting. During Lutnick’s remarks, he applauded President Donald Trump’s commitment to the Jewish people and the administration’s work in freeing the remaining living 10-7 hostages. Lutnick reiterated Trump’s exhortation from Sunday morning: “We should celebrate proudly, we should celebrate loudly, we should celebrate being Jews.”
WATCH:
Commerce Secretary @howardlutnick addresses the National Menorah Lighting at The Ellipse near the White House on the 1st night of Hanukkah, acknowledging the difficult circumstances of today’s terror attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney #hannukah @Chabad pic.twitter.com/63hBSw1sW5
— Michael Lipin (@Michael_Lipin) December 14, 2025
Much blood was shed this weekend in what should be a season of joy and peace. On Saturday, two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush attack in Syria. As mentioned above, an antisemitic terrorist attack during a Hanukkah celebration in Australia left 16 dead and dozens hospitalized. In the U.S., Redlands, California saw a drive-by shooting which targeted a Hanukkah display, and Saturday afternoon through evening, Brown University in Rhode Island suffered under an active shooting situation which left two dead and nine injured.
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