As Jews around the world celebrate Hanukkah, which began over the weekend, those in the Inland Empire are gathering in resilience, amid increased security at temples and events after recent local and global attacks. Jews mourned after the Sunday, Dec. 14, mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in S ydney, Australia, that killed 15 people. Closer to home, a drive-by attack occurred at a Hanukkah-decorated home in Redlands on Friday, Dec. 12, but no one was injured. After the attack, likely done using an airsoft gun, someone yelled a racist obscenity from a car, police said. RELATED: Redlands police investigate shooting at ‘Hanukkah Town’ home as possible hate crime Despite these events, local temple leaders said the spirit of Hanukkah — the Jewish holiday known as the “festival of lights” — lives on. Greg Weissman, the temple president of Congregation Emanu El in Redlands, said the community would still gather Saturday, Dec. 20, to celebrate with a menorah lighting in downtown Redlands. The temple is working with law enforcement to have an “enhanced presence” of police at the event, which will proceed as planned, officials said. “The safety and well-being of our community remains our highest priority,” Weismann said in a statement after the Redlands attack. Congregation Emanu El in Redlands, seen Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, features self-locking doors as a security feature. The synagogue has increased security measures over the past year in response to antisemitic attacks targeting the community. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) A gate surrounds Congregation Emanu El in Redlands on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Security doorbells help increase security at Congregation Emanu El in Redlands, seen through self-locking doors Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Self-locking doors are seen Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, at the entrance of Congregation Emanu El in Redlands. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Congregation Emanu El in Redlands is seen Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Security doorbells help monitor Congregation Emanu El in Redlands, seen Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. The synagogue has increased its security over the past year in response to antisemitism. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Security cameras and other added measures monitor Congregation Emanu El in Redlands, seen Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Congregation Emanu El in Redlands is seen on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Self-locking doors inside Congregation Emanu El in Redlands are seen Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. The synagogue has increased its security measures over the past year in response to antisemitic attacks targeting the community. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) A gate surrounds Congregation Emanu El in Redlands, seen Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) A gate surrounds Congregation Emanu El in Redlands on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. The synagogue has increased security measures over the past year in response to antisemitic attacks targeting the community. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 11Congregation Emanu El in Redlands, seen Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, features self-locking doors as a security feature. The synagogue has increased security measures over the past year in response to antisemitic attacks targeting the community. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG) Expand The congregation has increased security measures over the past several years, putting up new self-locking doors, an upgraded camera system and a perimeter fence to serve as a protective barrier on the campus, Weissman said. More security patrols have also been added at the synagogue and at events. “We will not let events deter what’s happened to gather as a community to celebrate a beautiful time of the year,” Weissman said Monday, Dec. 15. “We do it with some trepidation but determination at the same time. We can’t stop being who we are – if we do, then they win.” He called the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack on Israel a “turning point,” especially amid rising antisemitism globally. “It’s unfortunate — but it’s reality,” said Weissman, who added that boosting security is expensive. “Most places of worship are having difficulty as it is, and when you add this layer of having to hire armed security guards, that’s not easy. But it’s something we have to do keep the congregation safe.” In Riverside, Rabbi Shmuel Fuss was preparing Monday for the Chabad Jewish Community Center’s annual Chanukah Festival, set to be celebrated at the Riverside Historic Courthouse that evening. The event is set to include a grand menorah lighting, performances, traditional foods and music, a chocolate coin gelt drop, and words from community leaders about the story of Hanukkah and community resilience amid antisemitic attacks. Fuss expected an even larger turnout after the shootings, and said the community is working with law enforcement on security precautions and increased patrols at the event. He said that he also knew Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was killed in the Sydney attack, as well as several who were injured in the mass shooting. Fuss, who said he was “devastated,” quoted the late Schlanger’s words: “The antidote to antisemitism is to be more Jewish, act more Jewish, appear more Jewish. He lived by those words – to not hide and cower.” “They want to dampen and sow fear around Jewish communities around the world. When evil rears its ugly head, we are stronger,” Fuss said. “Hanukkah is about overcoming adversity, seeing the light and really persevering.” “The Maccabees’ bravery and faith was rewarded by miracles and they didn’t back down. That’s what makes the Hanukkah story so special. The odds were stacked against them, and they did not cower to the evil around them and allow darkness to dictate their future. They took it into their own hands, increased the light, and were able to overcome darkness by not giving into it. The flame of Hanukkah has not gone out in the last 2,000 years, but it’s not just still glowing, it’s growing.” Hanukkah, typically celebrated in late November-December, commemorates the miracle of pure oil found in the Jewish temple that kept the menorah candle burning bright for eight days. Jews around the world gather to light the menorah candles, eat traditional foods and remember the rededication of the holy Jerusalem temple that had been desecrated in the 2nd century B.C. Jason Moss, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, said that entering this Hanukkah season “feels different” in light of the Australia attacks. Security has been a top priority for the federation, which works with local Jewish families, community centers and temples across the region, and connects with law enforcement to help make the community feel “safe to express their Jewish identity.” Across the Inland area and beyond, authorities are on alert for potential problems. Riverside Police Department spokesperson Ryan Railsback said the force has boosted its police presence in and around the event area “to maintain a visible, proactive law enforcement presence.” He said police are not aware of any real or reported threats to the event. Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said his department’s “top priority is the safety of everyone attending” the event. “While we remain vigilant and prepared, we also recognize how important it is for our community to continue coming together to celebrate tradition, culture and unity,” Gonzalez said. San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson said Monday that all county law enforcement agencies are stepping up patrols in response to the shooting in Redlands and attacks elsewhere. Hanukkah events in the county include one in Rancho Cucamonga that is scheduled for Monday night, Dec. 15. That city is patrolled by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Rabbi Sholom Harlig of the Chabad of Inland Empire was expecting a big turnout ahead of Monday’s Hanukkah event at the Rancho Cucamonga Civic Center, which will feature performances, traditional foods and lighting of a 9-foot menorah. Harlig said there would be heightened security patrols at the event. He added that, amid tragedy, people should focus on the good — the good deeds they can do. “Judaism looks at it in a way that, wherever there’s darkness in the world, you have to continue lighting more light — doing good deeds, having prayer, studying the Torah, brightening the world and to make it a better place,” Harlig said. “That’s the message of Haunukkah: lighting the menorah, to light the room and get rid of the darkness … So, because and in spite of what happened, we are going to bring more light.” In Redlands, the Light Up the Night celebration is set for Saturday, Dec. 20, at 5 p.m. in Ed Hales Park, on the the seventh night of Hanukkah. Redlands police have been doing extra patrols since Friday’s shooting, spokesperson Carl Baker said. Related Articles Authorities step up security at Hanukkah events around Southern California after Australia attack 12 ice skating winter wonderlands and rinks to visit in Southern California Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber said Monday that she has reached out to Jewish leaders in the city to hear their concerns. The Chabad of Temecula hosted a Menorah Lighting event Sunday evening, Dec. 14. An official there said before the event that there would be police presence and armed security as a result of the Australia attack. Rabbi Yonasan Abrams from the Chabad of Temecula said that no incidents occurred at the menorah lighting event at the Temecula Duck Pond, which had “more people (than) ever before.” A lighting also is planned at Menifee’s Lazy Creek Park at 5:30 p.m.Tuesday, Dec. 16. “These (tragedies) tend to mobilize and remind people of who they are … We come out bigger and stronger — when it’s something that’s your identity, like your faith, you just do it,” Abrams said. Harlig, the Rancho Cucamonga rabbi, stressed the importance of continuing with the events and remaining faithful. “You have to believe there’s a God in the world who watches and protects us,” he said. “Above adding the needed security, we have to look higher.” Staff writer Brian Rokos and City News Service contributed to this report.  ...read more read less