A female visitor is celebrating Hanukkah for the first time this year, she tells AT5. “Because of yesterday’s events in Sydney, I think we need to show that we are not afraid as a community. The more people there are, the stronger the feeling of solidarity is.”
Another woman also refers to the attack in Australia. “That is why this year is different than usual. Also because anti-Semitism is increasing enormously. So I am on my guard: I check whether there is enough surveillance. But fear is a very bad advisor.”
A man who came to the celebration at the Zuidas with his daughter was unsure whether he wanted to go. “She makes you think twice. But I went anyway, because Jewish people don’t make themselves known.”
Rabbi Jacobs says something similar to AT5. “The attack scares people, but you have to carry on. It is Hanukkah and the celebration is basically cheerful. At the same time, we also reflect on the horrors yesterday. We celebrate together, but we also reflect on those who can no longer celebrate.”