UC Merced celebrates second day of Hanukkah after deadly mass shooting in Australia

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- Dozens of radical gathered astatine UC Merced's field to sing, dance, and airy the menorah connected Monday night.

The Festival of Lights is particularly meaningful successful the look of acheronian connected the other broadside of the world, wherever 15 radical were killed and much than 40 others injured connected Sunday astatine Bondi Beach successful Australia.

Authorities person described the deadly shooting arsenic an onslaught connected the Jewish community, raising concerns among the section faithful.

"My household and my girlfriend's family, they don't truly privation america going retired to events similar this, you know. They're precise disquieted for us," said Chabad Merced organizer Connor McCrory.

McCrory helped signifier Monday night's celebration. He said helium was disgusted to perceive astir the onslaught connected Bondi Beach successful Sydney.

"I'm precise arrogant to beryllium Jewish but it's precise scary to adjacent deterioration your prima of David retired successful nationalist and subordinate yourself anymore and it's truly sad," said McCrory.

Rabbi Moishe Golomb wanted attendees to retrieve the bully and the existent meaning of the eight-day-long celebrations.

"Hanukkah is celebrating a occurrence that happened 2,000 years ago. But it's not conscionable astir the miracle. It's astir learning what we tin bash contiguous to relive that miracle," said Golomb.

As the lawsuit took spot successful the mediate of the assemblage campus, constabulary were adjacent to guarantee information was a priority.

"We privation to marque definite that students that they're each welcomed, that they each beryllium present connected our campus. So, it's important for america to observe each religion, each culture," said Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Life & Engagement astatine UC Merced, Enrique Guzman.

The rabbi is caller to Merced, and adjacent successful the airy of that deadly shooting, helium wants the assemblage astir him to cognize the Jewish assemblage is welcoming.

Chabad Merced is simply a welcoming space. For much connected the Chabad, click here.

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