Among the 15 victims of the Australia attack was 41-year-old Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a friend Rabbi Hurwitz had known through years of Chabad training in France and Brooklyn.

“He was a joyous, good guy. He was the best of us,” an emotional Rabbi Hurwitz, 38, told The Suffolk Times in an exclusive interview Monday. “A true leader.”

Rabbi Hurwitz — who has led Chabad of North Fork since moving to Mattituck from Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in 2020 — and Rabbi Schlanger forged a bond in their youth, during an incident Rabbi Hurwitz recalled as foreshadowing his friend’s courage.

The two were with a group of religious students in St. Denis, near Paris, when they were chased by a bat-wielding mob while trying to catch the last train.

“Eli was one of the few who didn’t run — he stood up. Even then, he stood up to antisemitism,” Rabbi Hurwitz said.

The news of the deadly assault by a father and son on the other side of the world hit the North Fork hard. Rabbi Hurwitz’s decision to proceed with the menorah lighting triggered support from police, who provided security and even joined in eating sufganiot (jelly donuts) with others who braved the snow-covered sand.

“We have to stand up and stand proud. That’s the only way to deal with this tragedy,” he said. 

The rabbi encouraged participants to wear Stars of David openly, and stressed that “there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We have thousands of Americans scared of their Judaism, especially out here on the North Fork.”

Riverhead resident Mark Alhadeff, 62, initially wrestled with his own fear before attending the Mattituck menorah lighting.

“There was a lot of crying and being in self-defense mode and hiding,” he said, referring to his initial reaction to the terror attack. “Then I said, ‘No, I’m not going to hide.'”

Mr. Alhadeff was emboldened by Rabbi Hurwitz’s words and immediately went on Amazon to order an eight-foot dreidel, which he will place in his front yard.

“It felt weird. We didn’t know what to expect,” Mr. Alhadeff said. “But it was the happiest place you can imagine. Everyone there was saying the same thing: ‘We’re here in defiance.'”

A Pattern of Attacks

The Bondi Beach attack — which left more than 40 injured, including Rabbi Hurwitz’s cousin Pinny, who was shot in the neck — is the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents in Australia. On Dec. 6, 2024, arsonists attacked the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, causing significant damage and injuring a congregant. Rabbi Schlanger’s response at that time would prove prophetic.

“Be more Jewish, act more Jewish and appear more Jewish,” he urged his community after the Melbourne fire, according to Rabbi Hurwitz. “Let’s be proud of who we are. Spread light, spread happiness, spread joy — because that prevails in darkness.”

That same message echoed during the Bondi Beach celebration, before Rabbi Schlanger was killed while leading the community’s Hanukkah by the Sea ceremony.

For Rabbi Hurwitz and his family — his wife, Mushky, and their two children — the story of the Maccabees resisting overwhelming odds resonates more than ever in the wake of the senseless slaughter.

“That’s what Hanukkah is about,” the rabbi said. “Standing up to adversity when you’re outnumbered, being proud of who you are, standing tall and being a bright light that spreads righteousness.

“That’s what Eli would have wanted.”

Chabad of North Fork will hold another Hanukkah celebration on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4:30 p.m. at the Hen-Pecked Husband Farm, 1254 Northville Turnpike in Riverhead.

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The inaugural NOFO Jewish Music Fest — a vibrant celebration of Jewish culture, community, and pride — will take place Sunday, Aug. 25, at 4:30 p.m. at Henpecked Husband Farms on Northville Turnpike.

The festival will showcase the talent and musical styles of Jewish musicians Sandy Shmuely and Yoel Sharabi. There will also be a Mind Bender magic show performed by magician and mentalist Robin Channing.

While enjoying the entertainment, attendees can munch on some kosher deli and barbecue favorites, including hot dogs, hamburgers, roasted chicken, pastrami sandwiches and more. 

Rabbi Shaya Hurwitz, director of the Chabad of North Fork in Mattituck, said he believes the NOFO Jewish Music Fest will be a “defining moment” in the community. With the rise of antisemitism he’s seen in recent years, he said he hopes the event will foster unity on the North Fork and inspire a deeper connection to Jewish identity.

“One light pushes away a lot of darkness,” Mr. Hurwitz said. “Going way back in the day, with antisemitism, it was let’s hide, let’s run — I’m saying, let’s stand up and be proud of who we are.” 

The seeds for the idea of Chabad of North Fork were planted in 2015, Mr. Hurwitz said, but the center only opened in Mattituck in the summer of 2020. The group offers a variety of programs, such as weekly Torah classes, Shabbat services, adult education and youth activities.

To register for the NOFO Jewish Music Fest, visit nofojewish.com. The suggested donation is $5.

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