Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - "It's going to be really hard this year," said Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein on WBEN on Thursday morning ahead of the first night of Hanukkah, which is normally a joyous Jewish holiday.
"This is a happy holiday, but all of our hearts are hurting right now." added
Klein, Rabbi of Congregation Shir Shalom.
Celebrations may be toned down this year, due to the war between Israel and Hamas.
"We'll still be lighting our menorahs, and spinning dreidels, making latkes and
giving out presents, but our hearts are heavier this year."
Rabbi Alex said his message is about finding light in the midst of darkness.
Hanukkah, he noted, really speaks to this moment. "It's all about struggle and overcoming adversity."
Life for Jews around the world and here in Western New York has been upended by the surprise attack on October 7 in Israel, when Hamas militants killed about 1,200 civilians. The resulting showdown has led to the deaths of about 16,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
Lazarus-Klein said there has been a noticeable change in the last two months. "There's a lot more fear right now," he said. "We look at each other and we say this is not the same environment from two months ago. The Jewish community loves being in Western New York. We've been here for well over 150 years. But it feels different now. It feels like we have to be a little bit more on guard."
The Rabbi's hope is for peace. He has nephews on the front lines of the Israeli Defense Forces. "We want peace between all of the different faiths and an easing of the tensions. It's been a really difficult time."
Chabad House of Buffalo is hosting its Grand Community Menorah Lighting to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at Tops International Plaza, 3980 Maple Road, in Amherst. The first candle on a giant menorah will be lit.
Buffalo has a community of approximately 10,000 Jewish people.