Defiant Jewish Family in Brooklyn Replaces Vandalized Hanukkah Bear with Bigger Symbol of Resilience

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a disturbing incident of anti-Semitism captured on camera, a teenager targeted an inflatable bear holding a menorah outside a Jewish family’s Brooklyn home during Hanukkah, as was reported by the New York Post on Thursday. The vandalism, described as unprovoked by homeowner Ikey Cabasso, has not deterred the family, who has chosen to respond with resilience, purchasing an even larger bear as a replacement, the Post report added.

The incident, which occurred last Friday, was recorded on security cameras. The Post report indicated that in the footage, a hateful young man is seen tearing down the inflatable menorah from the 8-foot bear, destroying the holiday decoration. The family, visibly shaken but determined, refused to be intimidated and decided to stand up against the act of hatred.

Ikey Cabasso, the homeowner, conveyed the family’s response: “It’s the whole concept of the holiday, light has to shine brighter, we shine brighter,” the Post reported.

“The kid just came and obliterated it unprovoked, I saw it on my cameras,” he said, as was reported by the Post.  “My wife had just pulled out of the driveway with my kids maybe 30 second earlier.”

“I just don’t understand how a bear could make someone so upset, but that’s the situation we’re living in.”

Despite the unsettling act of brazen anti-Semitic vandalism, the family opted not to engage in confrontation but instead chose to reinforce the values of Hanukkah – resilience, pride, and strength in the face of adversity.

Cabasso emphasized, “We’re not going to fight with them. We’re not sitting here looking to fight. We’re going to shine brighter. We’re going to do the right thing,” according to the report in the Post. This sentiment reflects the family’s commitment to maintaining their pride in their religion and standing up against reprehensible anti-Semitism in a constructive manner.

This incident is not an isolated one, as virulent anti-Semitism has been on the rise in New York City since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October. As was noted in the Post report, Cabasso filed a police report on Tuesday and suspected that the vandal might be associated with the nearby Coney Island Prep Charter School. The neighborhood has reportedly experienced ongoing problems with students from the school, including instances of anti-Israel sentiment.

During a meeting with the school, Cabasso not only demanded the replacement of the bear but also offered to educate students about the situation in Israel, according to the Post. However, the school’s response to the incident remains unclear, as Coney Island Prep Charter did not respond to the Post’s requests for comment.

Undeterred by this despicable act of anti-Semitism, Cabasso and his family responded by ordering a larger inflatable Hanukkah bear, turning it into a symbolic act of resilience and renewal. Cabasso stated, “So we ordered a bigger one and I said ‘Guys, this is what we do as Jews, we fight,’” the Post report said.

This gesture not only reinforces the family’s commitment to their faith but also sends a powerful message against hatred and discrimination.

Cabasso, who had previously visited Israel on a solidarity mission after the country was attacked, unequivocally labeled the act as a blatant display of anti-Semitism. According to the Post report, he highlighted the apparent double standard, noting that Christmas decorations on the block remained untouched while the bear was vandalized, emphasizing the violation of personal property and the need for heightened awareness in the community, the report added.

The resilient response of the Cabasso family serves as a beacon of strength against the growing tide of anti-Semitism, sending a clear message that acts of hatred will not diminish their pride or deter them from expressing their faith. The larger Hanukkah bear now stands not only as a festive decoration but also as a symbol of unwavering resilience and unity in the face of adversity.