NEW YORK (WABC) — While there are no threats in the New York City area, the NYPD is increasing security around local Hanukkah events following the deadly massacre in Australia.
Security is being stepped up as a precaution, but for many Jewish New Yorkers it’s a necessity because the fear is real.
NYPD officers are taking up positions outside Hebrew schools and synagogues like Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side. And also outside Grand Army Plaza, where the world’s largest menorah shines its light 36 feet above Fifth Avenue.
“This is not just isolated to Australia, obviously, Australia is the worst kind of possible event, but this is happening around the world,” said Scott Richman, Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League. “It’s a global issue, and in a city like New York City, which unfortunately has more antisemitic incidents than any other city across the United States, the Jewish community here is fearful.”
The massacre at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, left 15 people dead and dozens injured.
All of them, Australian Jews, were marking the start of the joyous season of Hannukah.
Among the wounded was Arsen Ostrovsky, who grazed by a bullet while on the beach with his wife and daughters. New York City Rabbi Menachem Creditor is his brother in-law.
“He got shot in the back of his head. They were just there as a family to celebrate Hanukkah, and it ended up being a moment of terrible violence, taking the life of at least 15, including two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor and a child, and wounding countless others,” Creditor said.
In a startling twist of fate, Ostrovsky had survived the October 7th massacre in Israel.
“To be attacked there at a family event, a festival not so different from the Nova Festival on October 7th in Israel is a horrific, horrific alignment of pain and the targeting of Jews here, and there,” Creditor said.
One gunman was disarmed by a bystander and the other was shot to death by police.
Security in New York was increased within hours.
The city’s police commissioner is promising Jewish New Yorkers that their worship services and celebrations will be protected.
“It’s a declaration of faith, resilience and continuity, that is what the Jewish community in New York City does every year and this year will be no different,” said Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.
A vigil was held at Yeshiva University on Washington Heights on Monday night.
Students sang, prayed, lit candles and tried to hold onto the miracle this holiday represents.
Rosie Schlanger, a junior at Stern College for women, lost her uncle in the terror attack, 41-year-old Rabbi Eli Schlanger.
“I really believe that my uncle would encourage everyone to go and to celebrate and to share God’s light,” she said.
Another victim was 10-year-old Matilda.
Alex Kirievsky, 18, watched Matilda grow up in his home.
“My family had a daycare. She lived in my house,” Kirievsky said. “She would sleep in my bedroom. I would come home from school. She’d be in my bedroom. She’d be in my living room.”
He would have been at the beach too, but he is now a freshmanat Yeshiva University.
Richman is urging the Jewish community to to carry on with their ceremonies as planned, but to be vigilant.
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