In the wake of a tragic antisemitic attack in Australia that claimed 16 lives and injured many more, Washington, D.C.’s annual Menorah lighting proceeded on Sunday as planned, marking the first night of Hanukkah. Despite frigid temperatures, attendees gathered at the Ellipse to express unity and joy in the face of adversity.

Rabbi Levi Shemtov, the Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), opened the event with a heartfelt appeal for prayers for Ahmed al Ahmed, an Australian fruit shop owner. Ahmed courageously disarmed a terrorist at Bondi Beach, Australia, and detained him until authorities arrived. Rabbi Shemtov also led a moment of silence to honor those who perished in the attack.

12 Dead in Sydney Terror Attack As Gunmen Target Jewish Families at Bondi Beach Hanukkah Gathering

Following the moment of reflection, Rabbi Shemtov reaffirmed the commitment of the global Chabad Lubavitch movement to proceed with their Hanukkah festivities as scheduled across the globe.

WATCH:

12 Dead in Sydney Terror Attack As Gunmen Target Jewish Families at Bondi Beach Hanukkah Gathering

❤️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/IKDfneIj1u

— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) December 14, 2025

After the moment of silence, Rabbi Shemtov spoke to the determination of the international Chabad Lubavitch movement to go forward with its Hanukkah celebrations that had been planned worldwide.

Now obviously this event is the most prominent celebration of Hanukkah if not the most widely publicized Jewish event anywhere in the world. I join with over 5,000 of my colleagues in all 50 states and over 110 countries who are organizing some 15,000 public Hanukkah events. The decision was made by the central organizational leadership of the international  Chabad Lubavitch movement to continue with our public celebrations of Hanukkah, obviously with increased security measures as you’re very easily able to see today. So that the darkness that came over our colleagues and across the greater Jewish community as a result, will be answered with strength, light, and resistance.

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Moment of silence at the start of the annual lighting ceremony of the National Menorah on The Ellipse outside the White House by Rabbi @shemtovdc.

“The darkness that came over .. across the greater Jewish community.. will be answered with strength, light .. and with resilience.” pic.twitter.com/QbRzUI01sR

— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) December 14, 2025

United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, and other dignitaries were present at the menorah lighting. During Lutnick’s remarks, he applauded President Donald Trump’s commitment to the Jewish people and the administration’s work in freeing the remaining living 10-7 hostages. Lutnick reiterated Trump’s exhortation from Sunday morning: “We should celebrate proudly, we should celebrate loudly, we should celebrate being Jews.”

WATCH:

Commerce Secretary @howardlutnick addresses the National Menorah Lighting at The Ellipse near the White House on the 1st night of Hanukkah, acknowledging the difficult circumstances of today’s terror attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney #hannukah @Chabad pic.twitter.com/63hBSw1sW5

— Michael Lipin (@Michael_Lipin) December 14, 2025

Much blood was shed this weekend in what should be a season of joy and peace. On Saturday, two U.S. Army soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush attack in Syria. As mentioned above, an antisemitic terrorist attack during a Hanukkah celebration in Australia left 16 dead and dozens hospitalized. In the U.S., Redlands, California saw a drive-by shooting which targeted a Hanukkah display, and Saturday afternoon through evening, Brown University in Rhode Island suffered under an active shooting situation which left two dead and nine injured.

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Editor’s Note: The mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives.