John,

Last night, I celebrated the first night of Hanukkah in Grand Army Plaza with Chabad of Park Slope. 

There, Brooklyn's largest menorah shined not just to celebrate the start of the holiday, but in memory of those who were murdered in Sydney over the weekend while celebrating Hanukkah on Bondi Beach. 

One of those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a Chabad of Sydney rabbi who organized the event. Last Hanukkah, Rabbi Schlanger (whose son became bar mitzvah this year) posted that the best way to fight antisemitism is to “be more Jewish,” with a picture of himself strapping a menorah to the roof of his car. 

It is a cruel irony, but Rabbi Schlanger’s message is clear: 

The menorah’s light shining brightly in a time of darkness is just as relevant today as it was during the first Hanukkah. We must not allow hate, bigotry, or intolerance to blot it out.

That means we stand up fiercely against antisemitism, like the hideous murder on the beach in Sydney.

And that means we stand up against other forms of religious bigotry – including Islamophobia.

Here in New York, Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino responded to the tragedy by calling for the expulsion of Muslims from western nations. And on the national stage, Congressman Randy Fine insinuated that Muslims need to be destroyed and claimed Islam itself is not compatible with the West. 

These kinds of disgusting statements are unacceptable for our political leaders, and in Congress I won't hesitate to call out such hateful remarks. I’ve called for both Paladino and Fine to be censured.

If there was a hero in Sydney, a kind of modern-day Maccabee, it was Ahmed Al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Muslim fruit shop owner, a father like Eli Schlanger, who risked his life to tackle one of the gunmen, likely saving many lives.

Here's the thing John:

Our safety, our freedom, and our thriving is all bound up together, and in a moment like this, we need leaders who are ready to call out hate, not fuel it.

As we light our menorahs for the remaining nights of Hanukkah, and let them shine brightly from our windows for all to see, let’s rededicate ourselves to the idea that everyone deserves safety, dignity, self-determination, and religious freedom. Here in New York City, in Sydney, in Tel Aviv, in Gaza City, and all around the world. 

Wishing everyone a Happy Hanukkah.
May your light shine brightly in darkness,

In solidarity, 
Brad