A long-running community tradition brought together women and girls from across Brooklyn and Israel for an evening of fun at Lakeside Lefrak in Prospect Park.
On a cold Chanukah night in Brooklyn, hundreds of women and girls filled the ice at Lakeside Lefrak — not only to skate, but to be together.
Approximately 350 participants, from Crown Heights, Boro Park, Flatbush, and Williamsburg, as well as visitors from Israel, attended the 11th annual Chanukah Ice Skating Night, an event that has quietly become a fixture on the communal calendar. This year, the gathering carried added emotional weight following the recent terrorist attack in Sydney, which left many Jewish communities shaken.
For those on the ice, the evening offered a sense of normalcy and connection at a time when many were grappling with fear, grief, and uncertainty. Groups skated together, paused to warm up, and returned to the rink — a rhythm that felt especially meaningful given the broader moment.
Oranit, a visitor from Israel who attends the event each year, said the skating night has become an anchor of her trips to New York. “We plan our visit around this night every year,” she said. “It’s the highlight of our trip. Please never stop.”
While the atmosphere was light, the purpose was clear: to create a safe and welcoming space for Jewish women and girls to gather openly and with joy. The event was supported by dozens of volunteers and coordinated in partnership with Lakeside Lefrak, with assistance from the NYPD’s 78th and 71st Precincts, whose presence helped ensure a secure environment.
The skating night is organized by The Space CH, a Crown Heights–based initiative that works year-round with teen girls and young women. Each week, hundreds pass through its doors — some for structured programming, others simply for a place to belong. The annual skating event, now in its second decade, reflects the quieter, ongoing work of building consistency and trust within the community.
In times of celebration, the event offers joy. In times of tension, it offers grounding. After eleven years, it has become something many count on — a reminder that even in uncertain moments, community continues to show up.
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