Hours after the terror attack in Bondi Beach that claimed his cousin’s life, Rabbi Mendy Hecht of Chabad of Forest Hills North stood before over 150 attendees at Yellowstone Park for the 11th annual “Chanukah on the Park.” Freezing temperatures and icy conditions didn’t deter those who came out for the first night of Chanukah as Rabbi Mendy and Rebbetzin Chaya Hecht proceeded with the lighting of the 18-foot menorah.

The gathering carried profound weight following the attack in Australia earlier that day. Rabbi Hecht’s cousin, Rabbi Eli Schlanger HY”D, was among those killed in Bondi Beach.

“Terrorists want us to have fear and run. We must not give in,” Rabbi Hecht told the crowd, channeling the Rebbe’s call to combat darkness with light. “When they act barbaric, we rise up like lions and fight it with love and kindness and by doing more Mitzvot. A little bit of light in a dark room pushes away darkness! We are here to stay.”

The centerpiece was the lighting of the massive 18-foot Menorah. In a spectacle that delighted the children, the lighting was facilitated by FDNY Ladder 138, with Rabbi Hecht hoisted high on a cherry picker to kindle the first flame. This was followed by the highly anticipated gelt drop, where thousands of chocolate coins rained down from 30 feet in the air, sending children scrambling across the snowy grounds.

Attendees enjoyed fresh jelly donuts from Della Nonna Gelato and kosher food from the Manischewitz food truck, including matzah ball soup, latkes, smash burgers, and hotdogs. DJ Jordan played Chabad niggunim and Chanukah music, and breakdancers performed for the crowd.

A notable lineup of elected officials attended to show their solidarity with the Jewish community, including Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and Councilmember Lynn Schulman.

Borough President Richards emphasized his solidarity, noting his own recent discovery of Sephardic ancestry. “I am your brother. We are all in this together,” he said. “We’ll always stand with this community through its challenges, through the good times and the bad times.”

DA Katz encouraged public Jewish pride, stating, “We are celebrating our holidays because that’s what we do. And if we don’t do it, who is?” She confirmed her office is in constant contact with the NYPD and Counterterrorism Unit to ensure safe celebrations.

Councilmember Schulman emphasized, “We always have to show that there’s light instead of darkness. With what happened in Australia today, we have to doubly make sure that everybody is out talking about the light and not the dark.”

Congresswoman Meng pledged to be an ally “to ensure your safety and the ability to continue to worship, and not to be attacked for who you are.”

Security was provided by the 112th Precinct and Queens Shmira Public Safety, with heightened presence following the Australia attack.

Before the brachos, Rabbi Hecht spoke about the Rebbe’s teaching that the Maccabim didn’t wait for perfect conditions. “They lit whatever they had, one small jar. The Rebbe taught that this is our mission too: to do the good we can do right now, without waiting until we feel ready.”

He concluded with a call to action in memory of the Kedoshim: “Add one mitzvah. One act of goodness. That one action can illuminate someone’s life and, ultimately, the whole world.”

Rabbi Hecht spoke emotionally about those lost in Bondi Beach, including Rabbi Schlanger, who had organized Chanukah lightings in Sydney for 18 years, Reuven Morrison HY”D, who had family connections through Rabbi Hecht’s sister-in-law, 10-year-old Matilda HY”D, and 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman HY”D.

“The mandate for us is to live their legacy and bring them to life by doing what they so much wanted to do, but now cannot,” Rabbi Hecht said. “I surely will become a better chaplain at Rikers Island, to bring to life what Rabbi Eli Shlanger HY”D did in prisons with so much love.”

Rabbi Hecht also called on the community to check their mezuzos and tefillin to ensure they are kosher. “The Rebbe said time and again in such times to check them, as they are our spiritual security and protection, and it really makes a difference,” he said.

The event was made possible through public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council and Councilmember Schulman.

Throughout the week, Rabbi Hecht continued his Chanukah mivtzoyim with menorah lightings at Rikers Island alongside the commissioner and staff, Queens Borough Hall with Chabad of Queens, and various community gatherings.