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NEW YORK – The Brooklyn Nets paid tribute to the victims of the Sydney Hanukkah massacre at a Hanukkah celebration at Barclays Center during the team’s score against the Miami Heat on Thursday night.
As part of the event, the 14-year-old nephew of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was killed in the Sydney massacre last week, lit a giant basketball menorah during the game. The ceremony was facilitated by Chabad Teen Network, the world’s largest teen organization.
Pak Gazette Digital spoke with Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky of Chabad world headquarters, who would have attended the menorah lighting at the Barclays Center on Thursday, but instead booked a one-way ticket to Australia to be with the victims’ families. Kotlarsky said the Nets’ recognition of Hanukkah and celebration of Jewish heritage is one of the things that “makes America great.”
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A menorah made of basketballs dominates the Barclays Center before the Brooklyn Nets face the Miami Heat in Brooklyn, New York, on December 18, 2025. (Ryan Canfield/Pak Gazette)
“I think it’s really incredible to see America in all its glory, where it represents what we believe in. And we celebrate our ideals and our traditions, and our holidays, and it’s supported by the Nets, which is an incredible franchise,” Kotlarsky said.
“Being able to recognize and give a voice to many teenagers who may not be in a Jewish school or a Jewish (ChaBad), celebrating their heritage with pride is one of the things that makes America great. One of the things that makes sports, the tool and the vessel that it is, reach across the halls and empower young people to be proud of who they are.”
The Nets have two Jewish players on their team, Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf, and Kotlarsky said they are inspiring young people, showing them that they can follow their dreams without compromising their values.
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Brooklyn Nets forward Danny Wolf (2) drives to the basket past Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New York on Dec. 14, 2025. (Heather Khalifa/AP Photo)
“People see that no matter where you come from and where your humble beginnings are, you can still be proud of who you are and rise to the top, and you’re celebrated for who (you are). I think the key message, over the whole holiday, is that we celebrate with pride, that light has infinitely more power than darkness and having them on the team to be able to say, ‘You’re passionate about basketball and you can do it,'” Kotlarsky said.
“You can celebrate who you are.”
Kotlarsky said his trip to Australia is about making sure the Jewish community, which is dealing with a lot of “pain, pain, loss and shock,” comes out of this bigger, stronger and better. He said they are thinking about holding a last-minute Hanukkah celebration Sunday on the same beach where 16 people died.
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A sign beneath a menorah wishing people a “Happy Hanukkah” overlooks the Barclays Center before the Brooklyn Nets face the Miami Heat in Brooklyn, New York, on December 18, 2025. (Ryan Canfield/Pak Gazette)
“You can’t understand why things happen and how people can be so evil and kill for those things, but at the same time it brings to light a lot more than we realize,” Kotlarsky said.
“Just like the message of Hannukkah, when you squeeze, olive oil comes out. When you squeeze people, you can see their true essence and who they are, and expect beautiful things to come out.”
