Brit sufferer killed in Bondi Beach terror assault was rabbi and father of 5

A British victim of the Bondi Beach terror attack has been named as London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger. He was tragically killed along with 10 others in the horror incident targeting the Jewish community.

The father-of-five, who was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and had family members of Kinloss synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News. He was gunned down at the ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ on the first night of Chanukah.

Speaking to Jewish News, Rabbi Schlanger’s first cousin, Brighton-based Rabbi Zalman Lewis, described the moment he realised his relative was murdered.

He said: “I left shul this morning and saw messages from my wife and sister on the family WhatsApp group. They recognised one of the names people were being asked to pray for. It quickly became clear what had happened. We are just beginning to process this.

“It makes no sense at all. How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way? We can only respond by doing what Eli would have wanted, what he dedicated his life to – doing more mitzvot (good deeds) and to keep spreading positive energy.

“To keep generating light. To keep focusing on goodness and hope, in every interaction every day. Let’s flood the world with goodness. Because as Jews, we know, as difficult as it might seem, that light and good will always win.”

He added: “Eli loved helping people, encouraging people to do mitzvot. He was so bubbly, almost eccentrically so.”

Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, a colleague and family friend of Rabbi Schlanger, told Jewish News: “If Rabbi Eli were here and you asked how to best honour him, he would say that Chanukah is when we light the menorah at the darkest time of the year. He would ask everyone to light the menorah every night of Chanukah and urge others to do the same. He would want us to increase the brightness. To become ambassadors of light.”

A spokesperson for Chabad Lubavitch UK said: “We are horrified and heartbroken by the terrorist attack at a Chanukah gathering in Sydney, in which Jews were murdered and others were violently assaulted and wounded. We mourn those who were killed and pray for a complete and speedy recovery for all who were injured. Those present were targeted for one reason alone: because they were Jews, gathered openly to light the menorah and celebrate Chanukah.”

Mere hours before the tragic event, Rabbi Schlanger had been promoting the event on his Facebook page. “BOOK BOOK BOOK for your free donut,” he posted. Rabbi Schlanger’s friend, Eliezer Tewel, shared a heartfelt tribute following the news of his death.

“He was just doing his job. Showing up. Being the constant, reliable presence for his community,” he penned in a poignant post. This is about my friend who is gone. It hurts. It’s confusing.”

Eyewitnesses allegedly heard people shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ as the terrifying shooting unfolded at Bondi Beach. One of the suspected gunmen has now been identified, and the incident has been classified as a terrorist attack.

Speaking under the condition of anonymity, an Australian law enforcement official named the alleged shooter as Narveed Akram, from Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s south-west. The official stated that Akram’s residence in Bonnyrigg was currently being searched by police, according to ABC.net.au.

The death toll has risen to at least 12 following the horrific attack. One of the shooters was killed during the incident, while the other has been apprehended.