Baltimore City lights menorah in wake of deadly Hanukkah attack in Australia

Baltimore's Jewish community and supporters celebrated the first day of Hanukkah with a heavy heart, on the day that at least 15 people were killed in a shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia.

The annual menorah lighting took place at McKeldin Plaza near Baltimore's Inner Harbor. However, the violence that had happened earlier in the day weighed heavily on the minds of those who attended.

"What a heartbreaking morning to wake up to that just horrific news of so many people killed celebrating the first night of Hanukkah," said Howard Libit, the Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council. 

What should have been a time of jubilation for the Jewish community in Maryland and across the world was marred by a shooting that left at least 15 dead, including a 12-year-old child, in Australia.

Police said another 40 people were injured, including three children and two police officers.

"Thousands of members of the Jewish community had gathered on Bondi Beach for a joyous celebration of the beginning of the holiday and the Hanukkah miracle of light defeating darkness," The Baltimore Jewish Council and The Associated said in a joint statement. "Antisemitism, hate, and violence have no place in society, here or anywhere."

Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who had connections to Chabad of Harford County. Rabbi Yaakov Kaplan says Rabbi Schlanger would want people to gather and stand up against hate.

"We don't cower, and we don't step back. We step up, and that's what we plan on doing," Kaplan said. "We are here in this world to make a difference, to make this world a better and brighter place. And that's what the menorah is all about, bringing light into the world."

Baltimore City Police says it increased its presence at the menorah lighting, including some tactical officers.

"I could never have imagined, in my wildest dreams, that we would have to have security at our religious institutions and other places," Rabbi Shmuel Kaplan, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Maryland, said. "We have experienced a terrible tragedy. It's people that seek to create darkness and evil in the world, and when we come here to light the menorah, we are defying them."

There will be additional police presence in the Jewish communities, including neighborhoods and near places of worship, according to the Baltimore Jewish Council.

"We heard from state police, city police, county police, today, shortly after it happened, they were reaching out to us to reassure us there's been an elevated presence all throughout the Jewish neighborhoods of Baltimore City and Baltimore County," Libit added.

Baltimore menorah lighting continues

Libit said it was important to stay strong and continue with the annual menorah lighting.

Police confirmed there were additional officers and security measures for the event.

"It's meaningful to be here to stand as part of the Jewish community," Libit said. "We're not going to be intimidated. We will continue to celebrate our faith with as much joy as possible, even as our hearts are heavy today."  

Hanukkah is the festival of light, a celebration of religious freedom and the triumph of light over darkness.

Baltimore's Jewish community honored the victims of the attacks in Australia.

Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohen, one of the city's elected Jewish officials, addressed the crowd at the menorah lighting, and spoke about the continued efforts to fight antisemitism.

"Hanukkah is the celebration of light, yet we are living through a moment of profound darkness," Cohen said. "I spent part of last week having Nazi insignia removed from a billboard in Baltimore. As the first Jewish Council President in over 40 years, I've personally experienced antisemitic threats on my life. And our immigrant neighbors are under assault. Antisemitism and Islamophobia are at an all-time high."

Cohen continued, "The only way out is to embrace each other as neighbors. I refuse to live in fear. I love our beautiful, complex, diverse city. Shalom."

State, local leaders condemn Hanukkah attacks

Baltimore and Maryland leaders spoke out against the violence against the Jewish community in Australia.

Baltimore County Councilmember Julian Jones told Jewish residents, "You are not alone. We stand with you in grief, in solidarity, and in firm resolve against the rising tide of hate your community has too often endured."

Baltimore Councilman Yitzy Schleifer condemned the attacks.

"Chanukah is about light defeating darkness, religious freedom, and the resilience of the Jewish people," Schleifer wrote in a social media post. "Today reminds us exactly why that light matters. Despite the darkness, we will not hide. We will light our candles. We will live openly as Jews. We will spread light while others choose hate."

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said that he stands with the Jewish community through all of the antisemitism and attacks, adding that, "Hanukkah teaches us that light can overcome darkness. Here in Maryland, we will keep showing up, standing together, and choosing light over hate."  

Hanukkah shooters identified

Police identified the shooters as a 50-year-old and his 24-year-old son, Navid Akram, a Pakistani national who was living in Sydney, Australia.

The father was shot and killed by police, and the son was hospitalized in "serious condition, according to New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon. 

Police said the attack was a "terrorist incident."

More than 1,000 people attended the event, called "Hanukkah by the Sea."