Lisbon's Jewish community gathers for Hanukkah celebration

Описание: (19 Dec 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

++NIGHT SHOTS++

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lisbon, Portugal - 18 December 2025
1. Various of security around Hanukkah celebration
2. Wide of ceremony
3. Various of electric Hanukkah Menorah
4. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) David Botelho, President of the Lisbon Jewish Community:
“When a community is attacked for what they are, for what defines and identifies them, the whole society becomes poorer and less safe, whether in Australia on the other side of the world or here in Portugal. To celebrate Hanukkah in public is a clear proof that we are not alone.”
5. Various of audience
6. Various of Rabbi Eli Rosenfeld (on the left) and others lighting candles, singing songs
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rabbi Eli Rosenfeld, Rabbi in Portugal:
“Just as we are gathered here in beautiful Lisbon, the Jewish Community in Sydney gathered on Sunday in their beautiful Sydney, to openly and proudly celebrate this beautiful holiday. One of the organizers was a 41-year-old Rabbi, his name was Eli (referring to Rabbi Eli Schlanger), Eli was my classmate, Eli stood strong, stood tall and Eli was taken from us Sunday night.”
8. Close of sign reading “Lisbon Israeli community”
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Rabbi Eli Rosenfeld, Rabbi in Portugal:
“In a world still shaken by hate, in the week Jews in Australia were targeted simply for lighting a menorah, we gather here in Lisbon not in hiding, not in silence, but with light song and pride. Each of you showed courage by being here. You chose unity over fear, presence over retreat.”
10. Pan of audience
11. Israeli living in Portugal, Sol Berger, with friends
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Sol Berger, 28-year-old Israeli living in Portugal:
“Back here we have the Winter Wonderland (referring to the Christmas market behind the stage) and here we have the Hanukkah party and it’s a nice mix of different cultures where everyone is accepting of each other, we have the free food, the donuts, we have the music, we could have a little bit more of music, but it’s really nice, it's really nice.”
13. Rabbi speaking with Christmas market in background
14. Menorah and Lisbon sign on fence
STORYLINE:
In the wake of Sydney's Bondi Beach antisemitic attack, the Jewish community, in Portugal's capital Lisbon, gathered to celebrate Hanukkah in an open air public ceremony, secured by police officers on Thursday.

Dozens of people attended the ceremony at the top of a park in the centre of Lisbon and also paid tribute to the victims of Sunday’s massacre in Australia.

One of those remembered was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and an organizer of the family Hanukkah event that was targeted.

The Rabbi was named and remembered by fellow Rabbi Eli Rosenfeld who led part of the ceremony in Lisbon on Thursday night.

Rosenfeld explained that he had studied with Schlanger and expressed sorrow for his loss.

"Eli was my classmate, Eli stood strong, stood tall and Eli was taken from us Sunday night," Rabbi Eli Rosenfeld said.

The highlight of the Lisbon ceremony was the lighting of the 5th candle of Hanukkah.

People chanted and shared moments of joy and peace.

The violence in Sydney erupted at the end of a summer day on Sunday, when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, an icon of Australia’s cultural life.

They included hundreds of people gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the Jewish festival with food, face painting and a petting zoo.


Police shot the two suspected gunmen, a father and son.

The 50-year-old father died at the scene.


AP video Helena Alves



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