A terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney left 15 dead, including a rabbi with ties to San Antonio. In response, San Antonio will hold a menorah lighting.
SAN ANTONIO — A terror attack in Australia on Sunday left at least 15 people dead, including a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old girl.
Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a Jewish leader in the Sydney area who helped organize a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach where the attack occurred. Authorities say two gunmen — a father and son — opened fire during the event. The father was killed at the scene, while the son remains hospitalized.
In San Antonio, the tragedy is being felt personally. Rabbi Levi Teldon with Chabad of Downtown San Antonio says Schlanger was not only a colleague, but also a childhood classmate.
In a statement, Rabbi Teldon said, “For darkness not to prevail, we must create more light.”
That message will be reflected Tuesday evening in San Antonio, where a public menorah lighting is scheduled to take place at The Pearl as part of the eight-day Hanukkah celebration.
Organizers say the free event will include food, music, and the lighting of a nine-foot menorah. Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai is expected to attend.
Despite the attack in Sydney, organizers say the event will proceed as planned, though there will be an increased police presence for safety. The event is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.