Just one day after a horrific machete attack in a local synagogue, the Jewish community of Monsey, New York banded together to express great joy for their survival.

On Sunday, crowds gathered near the scene of a gruesome stabbing attack to dedicate a new Torah scroll. With this holy act of defiance, the community refused to let the forces of darkness dampen the spirit of Chanukah.

The machete attack occurred when 37-year-old Grafton Thomas busted into Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg’s synagogue in Monsey, slashing guests at a festive holiday gathering to kindle the Chanukah lights following the end of the Sabbath.

While several victims were seriously wounded, there were no casualties, a miracle that the community celebrated by dedicating the new Torah scroll on Sunday.