'Our Right To Exist And Celebrate In Peace Is Non-Negotiable:' Community Gathers For Menorah Lighting

PLAINVIEW, NY — Jewish pride, strength, and hope were on display as the Nassau County community came out to Plainview to support the Mid-Island Y JCC's 'Shine a Light on Antisemitism' gathering on Monday.

The event featured the Hankin Family Menorah Lighting, and residents gathered to stand united against antisemitism and to celebrate Hanukkah with Jewish pride, according to the Mid-Island Y JCC.

Director of Jewish Life & Learning at Mid-Island Y JCC, Rabbi Debra Bennet, shared why this event was so important, especially in the wake of the Bondi Beach shooting. A father and son are suspected of killing 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration in Australia, where hundreds had gathered to celebrate, The Associated Press reported.

"The program was a vital anchor for our community, particularly as we process the heartbreaking news of the terror attack at a Chanukah celebration in Australia," Rabbi Bennet said. "In the wake of such violence, there is often a natural impulse to retreat or hide, but this program provided a necessary space for collective resilience."

She said the event was spiritually transformative and helped unite the Jewish community.

"[The event] allowed us to transform our shared grief and anxiety into a public statement of strength," she said. "By coming together, we reaffirmed that our right to exist and celebrate in peace is non-negotiable, ensuring that no member of our community had to carry the burden of these threats alone."

Rabbi Bennet further explained why the event was titled 'Shine a Light on Antisemitism,' and the significance of creating light in darkness.

"Shining a light on antisemitism is essential because hatred and prejudice thrive most effectively in the shadows of apathy and silence," she said. "When we bring these issues into the public eye, we force a necessary confrontation with reality, making it impossible for the broader world to ignore the rising tide of hate. However, the metaphor of light also represents our internal mission: it is a statement that we are not defined solely by the shadows that pursue us.

She added:

"Even in a world that can feel increasingly dark, we choose to remain proactive in making it better, joining together to radiate the values of faith, community, and joy. Shining this light, we aren't just exposing a problem; we are inviting our neighbors of all backgrounds to stand with us, proving that even the smallest flame of solidarity can push back a vast amount of darkness."

CEO of Mid-Island Y JCC and Suffolk Y JCC Rick Lewis said that raising awareness around antisemitism is imperative.

"It's not getting better; it's only getting worse," he said. "We can only improve it by bringing people's awareness to antisemitism and to help them understand that there is no reason for all the hate."

He said that bringing attention to the antisemitism that is happening around the world can hopefully help "do away with the hatred of the Jewish community."

The Menorah Lighting can be viewed at this Facebook link.