(Image: Chabad of Capitol Hill)
It has been tradition for people to gather in Volunteer Park to celebrate Chanukah. This year’s Seattle gatherings and celebrations came just hours after the deadly Sydney attack at Bondi Beach.
Sunday, the first night of the Jewish holiday was celebrated in a menorah lighting ceremony overlooking the Volunteer Park reservoir organized by Chabad of Capitol Hill.
In a statement to CHS, Rabbi Levi Levitin addressed the tragedy and thanked the Seattle Police Department for helping to keep the night safe and secure:
The mass shooting targeting a Chanukah celebration in Sydney was felt deeply by Jewish communities around the world. Chanukah is about bringing light into the public square. Guided by that message, we continued with the Menorah lighting in Volunteer Park as planned, publicly celebrating our Judaism.
The community’s response was clear: a large crowd came out to celebrate together. We are grateful to the Seattle Police Department for providing officers who helped ensure a secure celebration, and to our Capitol Hill neighbors who reached out in solidarity. We hope this moment encourages all of us to respond with care, kindness, and unity, and we wish everyone a meaningful Chanukah.
SPD also was on hand as Temple De Hirsch Sinai held its Family Chanukah Celebration event at its E Pike synagogue.
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