The smell of latkes and other traditional Jewish foods wafted through the air Tuesday night at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum as small groups of people gathered at the museum’s West End site to celebrate the third night of Hanukkah.
More than 50 people came together and mingled at small tables swathed in blue-and-silver decor to observe the Jewish holiday.
“We’re here to thank God for the countless miracles that allowed us to arrive at this moment in which we can gather together, representing so many different countries, religions and people to celebrate this day,” Rabbi Michael Lewis of Temple Emanu-El said while leading the attendees in a group prayer before the three candles were lit.
Temple Emanu-El Rabbi Michael Lewis speaks during a Hanukkah candle lighting and reception at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
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The Dallas event was hosted by the Holocaust museum in partnership with the Dallas’ American Jewish Committee (AJC) and honored the lives of 15 people who were killed last Sunday — the first night of Hanukkah — during a shooting on Sydney’s famed Bondi Beach.
Authorities said two people opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration, killing over a dozen people, including a young child. The incident was the deadliest shooting in nearly 30 years in a country known for strict gun control laws. A 50-year-old suspected gunman was fatally shot by police while his 24-year-old son was wounded, officials have said.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said after the shooting.
Following the tragedy, Dallas police stated they would “maintain an established presence and heightened awareness” at Hanukkah events across the city.
The attack was not far from the minds of those who gathered Tuesday in Dallas to observe the holiday that commemorates the centuries ago victory of a small group of Jewish fighters over Syrian-Greek forces.
A host of dignitaries from places like Canada, Sweden, Poland, Ukraine and Tanzania joined Dallas City Council members and community representatives to participate in the ceremony and unveil a new museum initiative.
Vitalii Tarasiuk, Consulate General of Ukraine in Houston, speaks alongside Mary Pat Higgins, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum president and CEO, during a Hanukkah candle lighting and reception at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
The new initiative provides a full audio tour of the museum in Ukrainian and it is expected to launch in early 2026.
It is part of a global effort led by Ukraine‘s First Lady Olena Zelenska to ensure her country’s language and culture are accessible at leading institutions around the world, Ukrainian Consul General Vitalii Tarasiuk said.
“This museum demonstrates that genocide is not confined to one place or one time,” Tarasiuk said. “As we light the Hanukkah candles tonight, we are reminded that Hanukkah is the story of light against darkness, of resilience in the face of overwhelming force.”
Joel Schwitzer, AJC regional director, emphasized that celebrations that bring people together provide the light and support that is needed during challenging times.
“This is a time that we find ourselves in too often, where we’re together after a moment of tragedy in our Jewish community, both here in Dallas and globally,” Schwitzer said. ”Only light can dispel the darkness and celebrating Hanukkah represents that light.”
A monitor encourages attendees to share their photos with the hashtag “Light for Australia” during a Hanukkah candle lighting and reception at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer
Hanukkah runs from Dec. 14 through Dec. 22 this year. Schwitzer encouraged those celebrating Hanukkah and those who attended the ceremony to post photos with #LightForAustralia to honor the lives lost.