Jews in Los Angeles are fearful of putting up Hanukkah decorations this year because of the climate of antisemitism that envelopes many communities. Jews in New York, however, are embracing the season and going ahead with their traditional celebrations.

Adam Kulbersh, who lives in Studio City, told the LA Times he did not know how to explain to his six-year-old son Jack the plight of Jews in the wake of the ongoing conflict, admitting a menorah could lead to unwanted attention.

“Right now, there are mean people who want to do mean things,” Kulbersh told his son. “My number one job is to keep you safe, and we’re not going to hang decorations.”

One store in the Hollywood Hills ended a 30-year tradition when the owner chose not to display a large menorah, citing fears of harassment or vandalism.

“There are crazy people out there in the world. They could come burn it all down,” the owner said.

The store owner asked that his name not be published out of safety concerns.

Some make comparisons with the fears felt after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01.

UC-Berkeley Jewish studies and history professor Ethan Katz told the Times that the vulnerability Israel and Jews have faced since October 7 is analogous to the fears Americans experienced after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

Days before the interview, Katz was walking down the street wearing a hat worn by some observant men known as a Kippah. Someone inside a nearby car shouted at him, “Free Palestine.”

“I started by saying, ‘You don’t know anything about my position on Israel. You’re making a lot of assumptions. And you’re assuming that because I’m a Jewish person, I must have certain views of Israel and that I’m fair game for you to express your opinions about Israel,'” Katz said.

Jews are not a monolithic group on all issues. There are conservative Jews and liberal Jews, as in other faiths. However, the massacres conducted against Israel on October 7 have rallied Jews and non-Jews alike to support Israel in its fight for its very existence.

Governor Newsom moved the California state tree lighting online when it became apparent that pro-Palestine demonstrators would try to disrupt the ceremony as they have done in other places this year.

Fears of violence and property destruction are legit. We’ve seen it in many demonstrations that spiral out of control. Once a peaceful protest moves to physical violence or property destruction, it becomes a riot.

Some Jews in New York are showing some defiance this year. They are decorating their homes this year and increasing the level of decorating. They are going bigger and bolder since the Israel-Hamas war brought to the surface a wave of antisemitism.

“We want to show people we’re Jewish and proud – and this year even more so. You can’t scare us,” said Staten Islander Michelle Goldzal, a 39-year-old mother of four whose Willowbrook front yard and home is blanketed in giant holiday inflatables and a dazzling array of moving lights. “We wanted to go even bigger this year.”

Goldzal’s home has been covered by Israeli flags since Hamas attacked the Jewish state, and a pro-Palestinian hater even made a TikTok video that featured her home as the narrator drove by, slapped a “Free Palestine” sticker on a utility pole on her property and “made anti-Israel remarks,” she said.

“If we let them scare us, they win,” said Goldzal, who will be adding surveillance cameras this year too.

You love to see it.

Some are making a point of going bigger and better.

“We have to be stronger than ever and show that openly,” said Amy Weiner, an East Meadow, Long Island teacher who put the finishing touches on her annual display, including an inflatable lawn menorah and life-size spinning lighted dreidel.

She decided to add extra decorations this year, including an “extremely bright” LED Jewish star to project prominently from the window.

There is a trend this year that non-Jews put a menorah in a window or another symbol associated with Hanukkah this year to show support for the Jewish community where they live in response to the attacks on October 7.

In Michigan, the lighting of a giant menorah took place as it does every year.

This year, with rising concern about antisemitism amid conflict in the Middle East, some Jewish communities in Michigan and around the world have been more hesitant to publicly identify as Jewish. But for Klein, it’s important to proudly and publicly continue the traditions of her faith and family. She plans to again display the Hanukkah candle holder with several branches that symbolize light and a miracle that celebrates an ancient Jewish military victory.

“There are a lot of people who are nervous to display their menorah in a window,” Klein, 38, said. “They’re nervous to display a Star of David, show any signs of being Jewish. And so for us, we want to make sure that we are not scared, that we continue to teach our children that they can continue tradition without fear, and this is who we are: we are Jewish, and we should love that part about us.”

That determination was seen Thursday night as Jews and others gathered at Campus Martius for the 13th annual lighting of a giant menorah standing 26 feet tall that organizers say is the biggest public Hanukkah display in Michigan. Now more than ever, it’s important for Jewish people to be able to be open about their identity even though some may feel more anxious about it, said Jewish leaders. Tensions could be heard at the menorah lighting ceremony, where some protesters chanted “cease-fire now” as a rabbi and a daughter of an Israeli hostage held by Hamas spoke. Other speakers included Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who noted she was the highest-ranking statewide Jewish official in state history; State Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, who shouted her support for Israel and Jewish people.

Good for them. God bless the bold people, those strong in their faith, and those outside the Jewish community who are standing with them. As I continue to say, this is a time for moral clarity. Those on the wrong side of history will not be viewed favorably as time goes on. I am one-quarter Jewish. My paternal grandfather was a Jew. I was raised as a protestant but I feel a strong pull to those acting bold and brave now.

To all who celebrate, Happy Hanukkah.