Overview
- Public menorah events in Palm Beach, Fort Myers and Morgan Hill went forward days after the deadly Bondi Beach attack on a Hanukkah gathering in Sydney.
- Organizers reported stepped-up protections, with extra security in place at the Morgan Hill lighting to reassure families.
- Chabad centers led the outreach, including bringing additional rabbinical students from Coral Springs Yeshiva to support Southwest Florida communities.
- Interfaith leaders from Jewish, Catholic and Muslim communities stood together on stage at the Palm Beach celebration to show solidarity and denounce antisemitism.
- Former hostage Eliya Cohen lit the menorah in Palm Beach and urged unity and strength, offering a message of endurance after more than 500 days in captivity.