FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Worldwide acts of violence against the Jewish community are bringing people in Fresno closer together.<\/p>\n
Dozens gathered at Fresno State before the final night of Hanukkah to reflect on the meaning of the celebration and stand united against hate.<\/p>\n
Inside the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union, attendees lit the menorah and heard messages of hope and resilience.<\/p>\n
“We should always have this beautiful light within our hearts, within our homes and our communities,” one organizer said.<\/p>\n
Rabbi Laura Novak Winer encouraged those present to think deeply about their role in creating light amid darkness.<\/p>\n
“What is the light that you need in the world? And what is the light that you are bringing into the world,” Winer said.<\/p>\n
The gathering came just days after a deadly attack at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, where a father and son shot and killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more. That tragedy weighed heavily on attendees at Fresno State.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Fresno State investigating antisemitic vandalism on campus<\/a><\/p>\n Closer to home, Fresno State President Saul Jimenez-Sandoval confirmed vandalism on campus targeting the Jewish community on Dec. 15. He attended the menorah lighting and urged students to reject hate.<\/p>\n “How do we build bridges with each other? Bridges of understanding, bridges of community, bridges of religion, bridges of understanding each other,” Jimenez-Sandoval said. “Fresno State is an educational keystone for us to all come together.”<\/p>\n Rabbi Rick Winer of Temple Beth Israel offered words of encouragement on the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year.<\/p>\n “Some of the evil things that have gone on represent darkness. And we all can dispel that with the light that we bring with the joyous moments. Through moments of people coming together in love,” Winer said.<\/p>\n Winer said he is working closely with the university to ensure the safety of students and community members following the recent vandalism.<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Vince Ybarra on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2025 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n