This year in Amsterdam, home to a modest, close-knit Jewish community, the annual Menorah parade took on a new look. A full police escort, complete with glaring emergency lights, joined the procession, their beams competing with the white glow of the car-mounted Menorahs.
This change, from a simple parade to one heavily guarded, came just a month and a half after Israeli soccer fans were brutally attacked by Muslim taxi drivers while returning from a match. Whether heading back to their hotels or catching flights home, the visitors were ambushed in a coordinated assault.
In response to these events, this year’s Menorah parade, organized by Rabbis Eli Spiero and Akiva Camissar, featured the protective presence of Dutch police. Despite the shadow of recent violence, the parade saw increased participation, with many attendees rallying in defiance of fear and intimidation. The Menorahs illuminated Amsterdam, a light of Jewish resilience and pride, offering hope to those who might have felt threatened, and a message of encouragement to stand strong.
