As the most visible Jewish holiday, Hanukkah is traditionally observed publicly with ceremonies such as the eight-day lighting of the menorah, Rabbi Shea Harlig of Chabad of Southern Nevada noted Monday.

In the aftermath of an antisemitic terror attack that targeted Jewish revelers marking the beginning of Hanukkah at an Australian beach over the weekend, the holiday’s message of “light over darkness” resonates, Harlig said at a menorah lighting ceremony at Las Vegas City Hall.

Events hosted by the city and later at Clark County’s government center took place amid enhanced police security.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday that the attack, which killed 15 people and injured dozens more, was “motivated by Islamic State ideology,” according to CNN.

“The way we deal with it is not by hiding, but on the contrary by going out and doing more events to bring more light into the world,” Harlig added.

Police officers and marshals guarded the city’s Civic Center & Plaza during the menorah lighting ceremony.

The Metropolitan Police Department said Monday that it was monitoring the Australian terror attack and that it had bolstered officer presence at places of religious worship across the valley.

“As always, we remind everyone that ‘if you see something, say something,’” said police, noting that suspicious activities can be reported at 702-828-7777 and snctc.org.

‘Festival of light’

Las Vegas’ Hanukkah ceremony was one of about 50 organized in the valley for the holiday, Harlig said.

Performers known as the “Dancing Dreidels” shimmied to music before a torch that marked Hanukkah’s second day was lit among Hebrew prayers.

Mayor Shelley Berkley and Councilman Brian Knudsen joined the festivities.

“In the city of Las Vegas, we do not tolerate antisemitism, racism, discrimination or hatred of any kind, against any individual or group of people,” Berkley said.

The Jewish mayor later told the Las Vegas Review-Journal about the holiday’s personal significance.

“It’s a festival of light, it’s a happy occasion where you celebrate with your family and your friends and your loved ones, and the entire community,” she said.

Berkley said that the city, its marshals and Metro had stepped up to provide a safe environment during the festivities, adding that a menorah celebration at Fremont Street Sunday went off well during the first day of the holiday.

“I think everybody that attended the menorah lighting last night felt very safe, and very welcomed and valued in the city of Las Vegas,” she said. “And that is the message we wanted to get out to the community. No matter what your religion, your culture, you’re all welcome here in this city.”

Asked about Southern Nevada’s response to the terror attacks, Berkley said: “I believe there was tremendous concern in the Jewish community.”

She added during her public remarks: “There has been a Jew hate and antisemitism for 5,000 years. We just keep moving forward and doing the best we can, and I’m very proud of the Jewish community and very proud to be a part of it.”

A couple of hours after the City Hall event, Harlig and the Dancing Dreidels made their way to a similar celebration at the Clark County Government Center, where the victims were memorized with a moment of silence.

Commissioner Michael Naft echoed the rabbi’s menorah lighting message in his remarks.

“There is no better way for the Jewish community — (or) any community — to respond to darkness than with demonstrations of our power, demonstrations of our strength and by never hiding, by never running away,” he said. “That’s what we do here in Clark County and around the world.”

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – A disaster response volunteer with the American Red Cross of Northern Nevada is deploying to the state of Washington after flooding has affected the state.

Flooding in the state, caused by days of heavy rain, has forced the evacuation of around 100,000 from their homes. The volunteer will join hundreds of Red Cross responders from around the country to provide shelter, food, and aid to those in need.

“Our Northern Nevada volunteers bring skill, commitment and compassion to every disaster deployment,” said Bridget Posson, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Northern Nevada Chapter. “As an ERV driver, he plays a vital role in delivering essential support to families impacted by this devastating flooding, but it’s his compassion and commitment to helping others that truly provides hope in their time of need.”

The volunteer being deployed is from Minden, and has been deployed more than 25 times to disaster areas over more than 30 years.

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