International strife may have played a part in the larger-than-usual crowd attending Key West’s annual menorah lighting at Bayview Park on Dec. 10.
More than 150 residents, visitors and city officials filled the seats in front of the menorah to hear local Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Shimon Dudai and Rabbi Jacob Zucker discuss the Jewish holiday, but also the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by the Hamas militant group in neighboring Palestine.
Unlike in many larger cities, where pro-Palestine protests have turned violent against Jews, the city of Key West remained peaceful. And although Police Chief Sean Brandenburg was at the menorah lighting, no additional uniformed police presence was visible during the ceremony.
Hanukkah this year lasts from Dec. 7-15.
