Local rabbi says relative where terrorist attack took place is OK, but a colleague lost his life

By Art Van Kraft for Ashland.news

Chabad Jewish Center of Southern Oregon celebrated the lighting of a 10-foot public Hanukkah menorah on the Ashland Plaza Sunday, the first night of the eight-day Festival of Lights.

A long line of people trailed out from tables that held latkes and frosted doughnuts. A gift shop also gave menorahs and candles to anyone who asked. People danced to music from a loudspeaker and the mood was festive.

But underlying the celebration was unexpected sorrow, according to Rabbi Avi Zwiebel, director of the Chabad Jewish Center in Ashland.

Zwiebel said his day began with bad news. 

“This morning I woke up with a message from my sweet cousin Noah who lives in Israel, asking me if my family in Sydney, Australia, is OK. My oldest sister lives in Bondi, Sydney, Australia. I had no idea what she was referring to. Then I found out.” 

Zwiebel was referring to the killing spree at the beach in Bondi where 15 people were killed and dozens injured during a Jewish celebration. 

“Right after I found out that my sister and her two children were OK, I found out a dear colleague of mine had his life was taken. It was just for pure hatred, because he was a Jew,” Zwiebel said. 

“Should I tell my children who are happy about the holiday? How do we respond to such hatred and acts of cruelty that exists?” he asked. 

Zwiebel said he chose to a believe that a little light dispels greater darkness. 

“The more darkness in the world, the more we need to bring light into this world,” he said. “The response for terrorism is not to hide and be cowards. That’s allowing terrorism to win. But standing strong and being proud of who we are, sheds light on the hate. We light that menorah to symbolize bringing more light into this world.” 

State Sen. Jeff Golden (D-Ashland) was on hand to give another uplifting message. 

“With the news that was shared today, it can be really difficult to connect to joy and hope and the better parts of our nature,” Golden said. “But I have to tell you how full of pride and gratitude in this community, I am today. 

“Also, I was able to go over to the high school with Ashland Mayor Tonya Graham and celebrate the connection Ashland has Ukraine and be witness to the generousity of so many of us, to a people who are so proud, so wonderful ,with such a rich culture and who are undergoing such horribly difficult times.

“The Ukrainians are showing us what both fortitude and generosity can be. As we move forward, we are going to benefit from our connection with each other,” he added.  

Mare Adhara of Ashland said Sunday was her first time she came to a Hanukkah menorah celebration.

“I came here to dance and feel joy,” she said.  

Her partner Mikael Mortimer said he has conflicting feelings as an American Jew.

“I’m not a practicing Jew and I’m pretty estranged from the community, but I’m still Jewish. There is also, in my opinion, the right-wing fascist government of the Jewish state. That’s not the Jews doing that, it’s the government. There are varying opinions here, I bet. I heard of how horrible the shooting is in Australia, and I couldn’t believe it,” he said. 

Ashland resident Andy Warchol said he enjoys the music almost as much as his dog, Clover, who was dancing at his side. 

“I came out with an older gentleman I know, who can’t drive. The event seemed very important to him,” Warchol said. 

The older gentlemen was Marvin Rattner, a regular fixture in Ashland, formerly frequently seen driving to events on his motorized bike. An accident several years ago left him unable to use his bike. Now he’s often helped by local residents, he explained.  

“I like Hanukkah, it’s a time filled with light. I call myself a ‘Jew Buddha,’ a Jewish Buddhist. With Gaza and now the Sydney killing, there are lots of horrible things in this world. We need more joy, more happiness,” Rattner shouted. 

The 10-foot menorahs will be on display in Ashland and Medford for the duration of the holiday of Hanukkah, reminding thousands who pass by daily of the holiday’s message of the triumph of good over evil as light overcomes darkness.

Art Van Kraft is an artist living in Ashland and a former broadcast journalist and news director of a Los Angeles-area National Public Radio affiliate. Email him at [email protected].

Related stories:

Chabad Jewish Center in Ashland mourns Hanukkah shooting victims in Australia (Dec. 14, 2025)

Menorah lighting celebrated on Ashland Plaza (Dec. 25, 2024)

Anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim acts spur surge in reported hate incidents in Oregon (July 16, 2024)

SOU President: ‘Not every Jewish student feels safe right now’ on campus (May 23, 2024)

The story of Hanukkah: ‘A little light to dispel lots of darkness’ (Dec. 8, 2023)