TEXAS — A sad start to Hanukkah for many across the country. At least 15 people are dead after an attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday. Despite being over 8,000 miles away, the Jewish community in Texas is grieving those who lost their lives in the antisemitic attack.
“Unfortunately, this is just another event in 2025 where the Jewish community worldwide is being attacked,” said James Rosenblatt, board chair of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio.
Rosenblatt told Spectrum News on Monday that a family member of a local preschool teacher was one of the 15 people killed in the attack.
This is not the only Texas family that was impacted by the shooting. The campus rabbi at Texas A&M University, Yossi Lazaroff, posted on X that his son, Leibel Lazaroff, was shot at the event and has life-threatening injuries.
On Monday, the rabbi was traveling to Australia, hoping and praying for his son’s safe return.
Across the state, police departments have stepped up security as the holiday continues.
Dallas police issued a statement Sunday saying in part, “the department will maintain an established presence and heightened awareness at related events and locations across the city.“
In neighboring Fort Worth, police encouraged the public to remain observant, asking anyone who sees something to say something.
The Austin Police Department said it plans to maintain a visible presence at holiday events both at houses of worship and in public spaces. At this time, all three cities received no threats to the public.