Bondi Beach terror attack felt in Crown Heights neighborhood amid Hanukkah celebrations
Rabbi Eli Cohen, of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, said although the terrorist attack was 10,000 miles away, the impact is felt here at home.
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New York City is on high alert after at least 15 people were killed over the weekend in a shooting on Australia's Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration.
The NYPD said there were no credible threats to the city, but the department increased police presence outside of Brooklyn synagogues and other Jewish centers as a precaution.
“It’s good to have [the NYPD] here, and we appreciate it,” said Yosef Telsner, of Crown Heights. “For those people who are nervous, it gives them reassurance.”
“It’s nice to see,” said Aaron Evenchik, visiting Brooklyn from Clevland. “It’s helpful to see because I don’t know what else we can do.”
The Crown Heights neighborhood serves the Jewish community as the center of the international Chabad Lubavitch movement. Rabbi Eli Cohen, of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council, said although the terrorist attack was 10,000 miles away, the impact is felt here at home.
“Everyone knows everyone in a certain way, so it feels very personal,” said Cohen.
Many Brooklynites told News 12 on Monday that they either had family members in Sydney or knew some of the victims.
“When you’re the victim, it hits very differently than just hearing it on the news,” said Telsner, who told News 12 that two of his family friends died in the attack.
But through the tragedy, there was a focus on triumph and spreading light during Hannukah.
“On the one hand it’s very shocking,” said Cohen. “On the other hand, it gives a lot of determination to push forward and to keep going with what it is that we’re teaching and everything that we stand for.”
“It does make me fearful, but we’re not going to hide,” said Evenchik.
