ORLANDO, Fla. — The mass shooting in Australia during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration, along with continually rising threats all over the world, are prompting extra vigilance among Jewish leaders in Central Florida as the local Jewish community continues to celebrate the holiday.
What You Need To Know
On Monday afternoon at Orlando International Airport, the Chabad of Greater Orlando hosted a Hanukkah celebration
Despite a mass shooting in Australia during a Hanukkah celebration, local Jewish leaders say they are moving forward with celebrations — while also making sure those celebrations are safe
The Anti-Defamation League found that in just the last year, more than half of Jewish Americans reported experiencing some form of antisemitism
In 2024, the ADL recorded the most incidents ever in the U.S. since it began recording antisemitic incidents back in 1979
A Greater Orlando Aviation Authority spokesperson said they asked the Orlando Police Department to increase surveillance and officer presence during Monday’s celebration
On Monday afternoon at Orlando International Airport, the Chabad of Greater Orlando hosted a Hanukkah celebration. Despite what happened over the weekend in Australia, local Jewish leaders say they are moving forward with celebrations — while also making sure those celebrations are safe.
A band played music celebrating Hanukkah despite terror across the world and persistent threats of violence abroad. Rabbi Mendy Dubov, with the Chabad of Greater Orlando, said the shooting hits home.
“And my heart stopped when i knew there was a personal connection — not because it’s a Jewish brother or sister — but because these are personal connections of people that were injured or killed,” said Dubov.
He said that threats of violence are also a reality here at home.
“I think it has ramped up, but I think a lot of this antisemitism was bottled up in a bottle,” Dubov said. “And now people have the freedom, sadly, to express it.”
The Anti-Defamation League found that in just the last year, more than half of Jewish Americans – 55% — reported experiencing some form of antisemitism.
Nearly 80% reported being concerned about antisemitism, and nearly one in five Jewish Americans said they were a victim of an assault, a threat or some form of verbal harassment.
In 2024, the ADL recorded the most incidents ever in the U.S. since it began recording antisemitic incidents back in 1979. And those incidents have seen a sharp increase in the last several years.
Dubov said Hanukkah is all about sharing the Jewish faith with others — despite those who spread hate.
“Hanukkah is all about demonstrating publicly the element of Jewish pride,” Dubov said. “So we come out to the airport, we come out at public spaces, public parks, and we demonstrate to the world that Jewish pride will never ever cease to exist.”
As a band played at the airport on Monday, there were the usual visible signs of security — a bit stepped up in light of recent events. A Greater Orlando Aviation Authority spokesperson said they asked the Orlando Police Department to increase its surveillance and officer presence during Monday’s celebration at the airport.
As they continue to share their religion during the holiday, Dubov said they need to ensure that same level of safety everywhere they celebrate.
“And we might have to tighten up our security,” Dubov said. “We have to do our part, but at the same time, we have to fight for our right to practice religion freely.”