The holiday season started out on a high note, as the owner and staff of Fuzzy’s Pizza Katy planned for their third annual Hanukkah party with the theme “Third Time’s the Charm.” The ticketed event, which was free to attend but required an RSVP, was booked just 24 hours after the invitation link went live. But then came the sad news from Australia, where on December 14 a terrorist mass shooting occurred at Bondi Beach in Sydney during a Hanukkah celebration attended by approximately one thousand people. Two alleged gunmen killed 15 people, including a child.

Jeff Hajjar, owner of Fuzzy’s Pizza Katy, responded to the news in a December 15 post on Facebook. “IT’S LIT because light matters, now more than ever,” he said in the post. “Yesterday, we stood together in heartbreak. Day one of Hanukkah, we’re reminded why we celebrate, to push back darkness with every spark of hope, resilience, and joy. A friend put it best: ‘We need to fill the world with so much light that darkness never has a chance.’ That’s the spirit behind our matching sweaters and new limited edition holiday boxes, blending Hanukkah and Christmas, tradition and togetherness, all in one. The sweaters and boxes are just our way of adding a little more light, warmth, and joy to the season. Here’s to sharing light, laughter, sufganiyot, latkes, and deep dish for the next eight nights. Chag Sameach, y’all.”

The Hanukkah celebration was held on December 16 with a full house, as the pizzeria was packed with families, children, friends and leaders who sang, prayed, laughed, remembered and honored old traditions while forging new ones. Rabbi Lipper of Temple Sinai and Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss of Congregation of Shma Koleinu led the ceremonies. Attendees paid tribute to those lost in the Sydney attacks, and Hajjar donated 18% of the evening’s sales to the Holocaust Museum Houston.

“As we look back on last night, I am reminded that the miracle of Hanukkah is not just about the oil that lasted, it’s about the people who keep showing up, year after year, to spread the light,” Hajjar said on Facebook the following day.

But then the darkness came.

Hajjar arrived at the restaurant on December 18 to find the store’s exterior Hanukkah decorations vandalized, the bears unplugged and beaten, the dreidel inflatable stolen, but Santa left untouched.

“This isn’t just a prank or petty theft. It’s a reminder that visible Jewish joy and identity still provoke hate,” Hajjar said on Facebook that day. “And it hurts because all we wanted was to celebrate together, to share hope and resilience after a year that’s already been so heavy for our community. I’m angry. I’m heartbroken. But I am not afraid. The story of Hanukkah and the Jewish people is about pushing back the darkness, over and over, no matter how many times someone tries to snuff us out.”

The restaurant, located at 613 S. Mason in Katy, has previously been the target of vandals, experiencing broken windows and vandalized equipment.

“To whoever did this, you proved why Hanukkah matters,” the post continued. “Share your light wherever you are, and don’t let anyone make you feel small for being who you are. We were here last night, and we’re still here today. We’re not going anywhere.”