Amid a heavy police presence designed to make the public feel safe, Key Biscayne’s small Jewish community marked the start of Hanukkah Sunday with pledges to stay public and unafraid after a deadly terror attack against Jews in Australia.
At least 15 were killed and 38 wounded in the shootings at iconic Bondi Beach in Sydney.
“Our part of the battle is to make sure that our joy of Hanukkah is not dampened, it’s not withheld,” said Rabbi Avremel Caroline to a crowd of about 300.
“We’re doubling down on our Judaism. We’re doubling down on being proud of who we are. We’re doubling down on bringing light to people around us,” Caroline said, before turning to the mirthful festivities. Highlights included music, plenty of sweet treats, and a performer costumed as a dancing dreidel.
The very visible extra security included stationing several police and fire vehicles in front of the Village Green as a type of barricade to any kind of vehicle ramming attack. Extra police personnel, dressed in tactical gear, were stationed alongside the crowd. There was also extra presence from Key Biscayne Fire Rescue personnel.
– Sponsored –
“We wanted to harden it a bit,” said Police Chief Frank Sousa, referencing the attack on Bondi Beach. “We knew we had to do something just so everyone could feel safe and secure, right? So we increased our presence just to show that we’re here. We take the threat serious. It can happen anywhere.”
Key Biscayne police station near the Village Green while police and public safety verhicles form a barricade for Hanukkah celeberations, Dec. 14, 2025 (KBI Photo/Tony Winton)
The feeling of defiance in the face of anti-semitism was also felt by Dr. Glenn Abrahamson, a Key Biscayne dentist who was chosen to light the menorah on the first night of the celebration.
Abrahamson, who said he normally wasn’t very religious, said the rise in violence made him want to stand for religious freedom.
“It hurts me to be a Jew and see the amount of anti-semitism that’s around,” he said, noting he’s known the rabbi’s family for many years. “I did it to show my support.”
Dr. Glenn Abrahamson lights a menorah on the first night of Hanukkah, Dec. 14, 2025, in Key Bicayne, Fla. Police provided extra units for secruity in the wake of a terror attack in Sydney earlier in the day. (KBI Photo/Tony Winton)
Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco helped light the menorah, overcoming a bit of difficulty in getting the wicks to light.
Never miss a story! Sign up for our FREE newsletter
“The Menorah reminds us that even in dark times, a little light can make a powerful difference, a light in the form of kindness, courage, standing up for one another.” Rasco said. “Moments like this also affirm the importance of ensuring that our Jewish neighbors feel safe, respected and valued here on Key Biscayne.”
In Australia, federal and state government leaders on Monday agreed to immediately overhaul already-tough national gun control laws.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, an icon of Australia’s cultural life. They included hundreds gathered for the “Chanukah by the Sea” event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival with food, face painting and a petting zoo.
At least 38 people, including two police officers, were being treated in hospitals after the massacre, when the two suspected shooters fired on the beachfront festivities.
Those killed included a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Invest in Local News for Your Town. Your Gift is tax-deductible
Editor-in-Chief
Tony Winton is the editor-in-chief of the Key Biscayne Independent and president of Miami Fourth Estate, Inc. He worked previously at The Associated Press for three decades winning multiple Edward R. Murrow awards. He was president of the News Media Guild, a journalism union, for 10 years. Born in Chicago, he is a graduate of Columbia University. His interests are photography and technology, sailing, cooking, and science fiction.