Rabbi Eli Schlanger had recently called for everyone to ‘be more Jewish, act more Jewish and appear more Jewish’
A Rabbi who was known for ‘confronting antisemitism’ has been named as one of 12 victims in the Bondi Beach terror attack. Rabbi Eli Schlanger was attending a Hanukkah event on the popular Sydney beach when two gunmen opened fire in what police have confirmed was a terror attack.
Rabbi Schlanger was from the Chabad, or Jewish community centre, in Bondi, which has paid tribute to him.
Chabad posted about their sadness social media, saying: “Eli was the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and a key organizer of the event. For 18 years, since his marriage to wife Chaya, he has served as a rabbi and chaplain in the Bondi community.
“Two gunmen attacked Chabad of Bondi’s Chanukah event on Bondi Beach killing 11, including a Chabad rabbi, and injuring many others. The ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ event was interrupted by the sound of gunfire.
“Thousands of attendees fled in all directions as the terrorists fired into the crowd. Attendees reported the long police response time, as the terrorists had time to reload and resume shooting.
“One gunman was interrupted when a middle aged man. He rejoined his accomplice on an elevated bridge before both were neutralized.”
Speaking about the Rabbi, Chabad said: “He recently said in the face of darkness, the way forward is to ‘be more Jewish, act more Jewish and appear more Jewish’.”
Police have confirmed that at least 29 other people have been injured – including two police officers and a child. Just hours before the event, Rabbi Schlanger was posting about the Bondi event to his Facebook page. “BOOK BOOK BOOK for your free donut,” he wrote.
