Hundreds of people have come together to celebrate Chanukkah after a menorah was vandalised in the Hertfordshire suburb of Bricket Wood.
More than 250 Jews and non-Jews attended the event after a menorah was smashed in a show of solidarity that “overwhelmed” the local Chabad rabbi.
Rabbi Eliezer Tunk, director of Chabad Bricket Wood, was alerted to the vandalism early on Sunday morning and immediately rushed to inspect the damage, which he suspects was premeditated.
A vandalised public menorah in Bricket Wood, December 29, 2024
He told the JC: “Every branch of the menorah had been forcibly bent out of place. The support structure was completely broken, and in the process, the culprit also found time to throw a pot of blue paint all over the structure.
“Someone took the time to cause this damage, it was not done on a whim. The whole thing was completely wrecked.”
A vandalised public menorah in Bricket Wood, December 29, 2024
He said the vandalism is believed to have occurred on Saturday night after a member of the community spotted it while driving past at around 11pm but had no way of alerting Chabad to it at the time.
It is the third year running that Bricket Wood Chabad has arranged for a menorah and a sign wishing passersby a happy Chanukah to be displayed in the village, which Tunk says is one of the safest in the country.
“Of all the hundreds of [public] menorahs put up around the country at this time of year, never, ever did I expect for ours to be vandalised,” he said.
“Our village has never had any fear of antisemitism. We are not really on the radar to be honest; most people don’t even know where we are on the map. It has left us in shock to be honest with you, and in total disbelief.”
A vandalised public menorah in Bricket Wood, December 29, 2024
Tunk admits the incident has left the local Jewish community, which is estimated to number around 400 individuals, “hesitant” to put up public displays in the future.
“I myself don’t know yet how we are going to move forward [after this], we have never experienced something like this before,” he said.
Hertfordshire Police said they have opened an investigation into the incident and were treating it as a hate crime.
The police said in a statement: “Since the incident, officers have been working to try and obtain and view CCTV footage from the nearby shops. Extra patrols have also been conducted in the area, and residents are encouraged to speak to our officers if they have any concerns.”
After news of the damage spread on Sunday, over 250 people, Jews and non-Jews, gathered at the corner of Oakwood Road and West Riding to take part in a lighting ceremony, using a temporary replacement menorah Bricket Wood Chabad had in storage.
Tunk said, despite the circumstances, the Jewish community has been “overwhelmed” with the “outpouring of support” from local residents, who showed up to participate in what became the biggest turnout for a menorah lighting ceremony in the village to date.
“People came from surrounding towns to attend the ceremony too, as well as representatives from Bricket Wood’s local church. I spoke with so many people who expressed their outrage at what happened, so we felt very supported,” he said.
A vandalised public menorah in Bricket Wood, December 29, 2024
St Albans MP Daisy Cooper said she was “appalled” by the vandalism. “The story of Chanukah is one of light and hope, and Jews should be free to celebrate their faith, free of fear and hate,” she said.
CST, which provided security for Sunday’s lighting ceremony in the village after being alerted to the attack, is encouraging anyone with information or who saw something suspicious to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting crime reference number 41/110766/24.
