'Stand Together': Cherry Hill Shines Light On Hanukkah In Wake Of Bondi Beach Shooting

CHERRY HILL, NJ — In the wake of the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia, Cherry Hill's annual menorah lighting became an act of resistance.

The giant menorah lighting is an annual tradition for the first night of Hanukkah in Cherry Hill, which has one of the state's largest Jewish populations. Hundreds of people gathered for the occasion Sunday night at Barclay Farms Shopping Center.

The gathering took new meaning after 15 people were killed in a mass shooting hours earlier at a large Hanukkah celebration by Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, which authorities have called an antisemitic terrorist attack. It also came after a snowstorm that prompted several South Jersey communities to postpone their Hanukkah events.

But in the wake of adversity, Cherry Hill's Jewish community shined a light.

"Tonight, we light the menorah in celebration," Mayor Dave Fleisher said at the event. "We light the menorah with determination. We light the menorah with defiance, against hate and darkness. Let light prevail."

Cherry Hill officials ramped up the police presence for the event following the Bondi Beach massacre and a separate mass shooting at Brown University. Police will also have higher-visibility patrols at all communal celebrations and houses of worship.

There are no known threats to Cherry Hill, but the decision arose in an abundance of caution, according to local officials.

"Seeing hundreds of Jewish community members and allies stand in solidarity at the Giant Menorah lighting filled me with pride in Cherry Hill," Fleisher said. "Hanukkah reminds us that light and goodness prevail over darkness, reflecting our shared values of inclusion, strength and unity. May that spirit extend to all our residents."

Leaders of the Chabad Lubavitch of Camden and Burlington Counties, which hosts the menorah lighting, called for the community to stand together in the face of hate as the holiday kicked off.

"Our Menorah will be lit, and we will stand strong to bring more light into the world, at this most difficult time," said Rabbi Mendel Mangel, founder and co-director of the Chabad. "Now more than ever, we must stand together, stronger than ever light our torches 10-fold."

The Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, based in Cherry Hill, set up a microphone in their lobby and asked members what brought them light this year. A video of the responses is below:

Hanukkah, an eight-night celebration, will conclude at nightfall on Monday, Dec. 22.

Here are some upcoming Hanukkah events in the Cherry Hill area:

• The Donut Showdown: Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Chabad In Cherry Hill (1925 Kresson Rd.). More info.
• West Side Chanukah Celebration: Thursday, 6 p.m.; in front of Michael Kors at Cherry Hill Mall. More info.
• Chanukah On Ice: Saturday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Igloo Ice Rink Mt. Laurel (3033 Fostertown Rd., Mount Laurel) More info.
• Hanukkah Fireworks: Sunday at 5 p.m.; Kellman Brown Academy (1007 Laurel Oak Rd., Voorhees). More info.