Menorah lit over MoPac in same location anti-Semitic banners were placed

Austin’s Jewish community holds symbolic menorah lighting on overpass

A menorah lighting for the second night of Hanukkah was held on the overpass at Far West and MoPac. At least two times in October, banners with antisemitic messages were seen hanging from the same overpass.

AUSTIN, Texas - A menorah was lit over MoPac Monday evening at the very spot where an anti-Semitic banner was placed just a month ago.

"Impromptu show of light, a show of inspiration, spreading the light of Hanukkah to everyone who passes by. Everybody knows what happened at that location a few weeks ago," said Associate Rabbi Lavi Lebertov of Chabad.

Associate Rabbi Levertov said he knew they had to do something this Hanukkah following the recent incidents which targeted the Jewish community.

"Our response is a response of light. As it gets dark we light Hanukkah candles, we don’t light them during the day and that message is that even a little bit of light, can transform and light up the darkness," said Levertov.

Faith leaders show support of Jewish community after fire at Austin synagogue

The fire appeared to be intentionally set at the front doors of Congregation Beth Israel on around 9 p.m. on October 31.

From the anti-Semitic banner over MoPac last month to the synagogue arson in Central Austin in October, Rabbi Levertov said they will not let fear stop them from celebrating Hanukkah. This year they plan to have even more events throughout the holiday than they normally would.

"Instead of cowering to hate we are using this as a catalyst for goodness and kindness and a catalyst for light. This year there are events happening all over greater Austin, from south Austin, central, Round Rock, and Georgetown. These are events happening to spread the goodness and spread the light," said Levertov.

Rabbi Levertov said this year following those incidents they want to show the world the kind of place Austin really is. "Our message to Austin, the country and the world is Austin is not a place of hate it’s a place of light it’s a place of goodness and we are spreading that kindness outwards."

For a list of Hanukkah events going on you can click here.

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