Sydney Community Mourns Two Rabbis Killed in Bondi Beach Shooting

Hundreds of mourners gathered across Sydney to remember two rabbis killed in the tragic Bondi Beach Hanukkah festival shooting, honoring them as compassionate community leaders who dedicated their lives to serving others.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39, were remembered at separate funeral services that highlighted their profound impact on Sydney's Jewish community. Both men worked together at the Chabad of Bondi, sharing not only professional duties but personal bonds that extended to their families.

A Partnership Built on Shared Vision

The Bondi synagogue overflowed with mourners paying their respects to Rabbi Schlanger, just blocks from where the tragedy occurred. Meanwhile, Rabbi Levitan, a father of four, was honored at a service in Macquarie Park in Sydney's north-west.

"Yaakov and Eli had an incredible partnership. Eli had the visions and ideas and Yaakov figured out how to get it done," Rabbi Yakov Lieder wrote in an online obituary, capturing the essence of their collaborative spirit.

The two rabbis' wives had been best friends since high school, adding another layer of tragedy to the loss that has shaken the community to its core.

Community Resilience in the Face of Terror

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Rabbi Schlanger's father-in-law, delivered a powerful message of resilience during the service. Despite his grief, he urged the Jewish community not to retreat from public spaces like Bondi Beach, which welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

"We can never ever allow them to not only succeed but any time they try something we become greater and stronger," Rabbi Ulman declared, his voice breaking with emotion as he remembered his son-in-law.

Local rabbis announced plans for a special Hanukkah ceremony this Sunday at the scene of the tragedy, where eight candles will be lit in defiance of hatred and in celebration of faith.

Lives of Service and Dedication

Rabbi Schlanger, who had recently welcomed his fifth child, was born in the UK but had called Sydney home for 18 years. As the Chabad's assistant rabbi, he was known for his selfless dedication, often driving up to four hours each way to visit Jewish inmates in state prisons.

"He was there for everyone, he didn't care whether you were wealthy or poor," one mourner reflected, capturing the rabbi's commitment to serving all members of the community regardless of their circumstances.

Rabbi Levitan served as the Chabad's chief operating officer, working alongside Rabbi Schlanger to organize community events like the 'Chanukah by the Sea' festival where both men lost their lives.

A Community United in Grief

The scale of the loss was evident in the outpouring of support at both services. In Bondi, mourners spilled onto the footpath outside the synagogue, watching the funeral livestream on their phones when they couldn't find seats inside.

Security was heightened throughout the area, with state police cordoning off streets and conducting searches. Eight police officers in ceremonial dress formed an honor guard for the hearse, leading a procession that paused midway for a traditional lamentation.

Political leaders including New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, federal opposition leader Sussan Ley, and local member Allegra Spender attended the service, demonstrating the broader community's solidarity with the grieving families.

Continuing Tragedy

The rabbis were among 15 people killed in the mass shooting, allegedly carried out by a father and son. The youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda, will be laid to rest tomorrow, according to funeral notices.

As Sydney grapples with this senseless act of violence, the memory of these two dedicated community servants stands as a testament to the power of faith, service, and resilience in the face of hatred.