Spring Hill Congregation Lights Menorah, Confronts Fear After Sydney Attack

On the sixth night of Hanukkah, members of Temple Beth David gathered Friday evening for a public menorah lighting and Shabbat service, then shared latkes and pastries prepared by congregants. The mood was subdued and wary, shaped by the mass shooting in Sydney on December 14 and by memories of violence overseas that continue to reverberate in Jewish communities. The Australian attack came 26 months after the October 7, 2023 killings and kidnappings at a music festival in Israel, adding to a sense of global unease.

The service featured extra security, including a sheriff's deputy on duty during the event, a sign to worshippers that public gatherings are not being treated as ordinary. One congregant captured that anxiety bluntly, saying, "I’m afraid to put my menorah in the window. I walk around the neighborhood and nobody has their menorahs in their windows." Others noted the practical strains caused by security needs, reporting that money set aside to pay for deputies reduces funds available for other community causes.

Local clergy and lay leaders sought to channel grief into solidarity and interfaith outreach. Ron Becker, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Tefillah and the Jewish Community Center of West Pasco, urged community cooperation, saying, "We are still trying to come to grips with this latest tragedy, which comes at a time when we should be celebrating freedom and courage. We can’t control what occurs in other parts of the world, but here in our region of Florida, through our interfaith efforts, we can foster understanding and supporting people of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds during these perilous times. We pray that all who are suffering will be comforted by their faith and that we can move forward in peace and love."

Members expressed sorrow and called for resilience. "It’s another atrocity in our struggle to survive," said Eileen Beaman. Cookie Goodman asked, "It’s unbelievable that people have these thoughts of attacking us. What did we do to them?" Marilyn Rosenberg added that the massacre "is yet another reminder of the rise in anti Semitic acts" and urged condemnation of hatred and a prayer for peace.

Rabbi Jen Goldman sought to lift spirits through celebration, greeting the crowd with traditional blessings and light hearted greetings. "Happy Hanukkah!" "Shabbat Shalom!" "Gut Shabbos!" "Happy Festival of Lights!" she said as the congregation lit the electric menorah to mark the sixth night.

For Hernando County, the gathering highlights public health and equity concerns. Fear of targeted violence can worsen mental health, reduce community participation, and divert scarce nonprofit dollars toward security rather than services. Local leaders and health providers will need to consider expanded mental health supports, outreach to vulnerable residents, and funding mechanisms that do not force places of worship to shoulder disproportionate safety costs alone. The evening closed with shared food and music, an act of communal resilience in a time of pain and uncertainty.