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FAIRFAX DISTRICT, LOS ANGELES () — Angelenos took part in a Hanukkah Menorah Parade on Tuesday while remembering those slain in Australia.
The Hanukkah Menorah Parade felt like a party on wheels along a 2.5-mile route in Fairfax.
AIR7 caught a glimpse of the spectacle that marked the third night of the Festival of Lights.
“That’s all we’re here to do. We’re here to spread the light… and just make this world a better place,” said organizer Sholom Lerman.
Revelers lit up streets with their lights, joy and love.
“It’s not only Jewish people. It’s the whole world that can use this boost of positive energy,” said Elka Baitelman.
Baitelman was like many in attendance who acknowledged that underneath the celebration is pain.
Jews across the world are mourning the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia over the weekend that left 15 people dead and more than 40 wounded.
A father and son reportedly carried out the shooting in what investigators are calling an antisemitic terrorist attack.
“My nephew was on the beach in Bondi. I spoke to him last night, and he’s so shaken up. But all he kept saying was, ‘We’re just going to spread more light, more joy,'” Baitelman said.
“I have personal friends that hid babies under their bodies as they lied down, protecting their children from a possible bullet,” said Chavie Schapiro.
Police shot and killed one of the alleged gunmen, while the surviving shooter awaits formal charges.
“They want us to take a step back and hide, but we say no, we come back with a double amount of light,” Lerman said.
Participants said they are leaning into their culture even more, even when it doesn’t feel safe.
“I think that now, more than ever, it’s important for people to show support to the Jewish community and to show allyship. And I think that as jews, we have a lot of compassion for people that are suffering and to be afforded that same compassion,” Schapiro said.
Eyewitness News crews did not notice a heavy police presence along the parade route, but organizers say they did have security in place. No issues were reported.
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