Focus on security at Oceanside Chabad

“We are very sad”, said Rabbi Levi Gurkov of the Oceanside Chabad, “we need to work at making this a kinder, gentler world.” “We are very vigilant,” he said, noting there is increased security all around New York City and Long Island. Gurkov was referring to the stabbing on Dec. 9, of 22-year-old rabbinical student Levi Rosenblatt by 49-year-old Calvin Peters at the Chabad headquarters in Brooklyn. Some things we still hold sacred, Gurkov said, such as a place to study and learn. “We meet with the Nassau County police annually,” he said, “and stay updated on the latest security measures. We have an open dialogue with the police and they have a special office for religious organizations. But” he added, “we also look out for each other.”

Rabbi Gurkov had a message of hope for the Hanukkah holiday. “The weak or the few,” he said, “will always overcome negativity, just as one match, one candle, will overcome the darkness. That is the message of Hanukkah, darkness will never prevail.”