Family of British victim of Sydney terror attack urges Jews to ‘spread more light’ in his memory
EXCLUSIVE: Rabbi Eli Schlanger grew up in Temple Fortune, north London, and became a father for the fifth time only two months ago
Relatives of a London-born rabbi among 11 killed when gunmen targeted Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Chanukah have paid tribute to him by urging people to “spread more light” in his name.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41-year-old father of five, was killed when two men opened fire on a crowd at a ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ celebration in the Archer Park area of Bondi Beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, 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 among the dead.
“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.”
Rabbi Lewis described Rabbi Schlanger, who grew up in Temple Fortune, north London and whose grandparents were members of Kinloss synagogue in Finchley, as “vivacious, optimistic and full of energy and life”.
He added: “Eli loved helping people, encouraging people to do mitzvot. He was so bubbly, almost eccentrically so.”
Rabbi Schlanger and his wife Chayala welcomed their youngest child, a baby boy, two months ago. His great-uncle, the late Reverend Leslie Olsberg, served as rabbi at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, where two congregants were murdered in a terror attack during Yom Kippur in October.
Following that attack, Rabbi Schlanger, who worked for Chabad Bondi, wrote on social media: “In these difficult times, we must stand united. Terrorism must never be excused, rewarded or negotiated with. To Anthony Albanese (the Australian prime minister), I say this with urgency – stop fuelling terrorism by legitimizing those who spread hate. Listen to the voices of those who understand it firsthand.”
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.”
The Metropolitan Police will increase patrols around synagogues and other community venues in Greater London, and Hertfordshire Constabulary said it would have a visible presence at key events in the county following the attack in Sydney. In a statement, the Met said: “While there is no information to suggest any link between the attack in Sydney and the threat level in London, this morning we are stepping up our police presence, carrying out additional community patrols and engaging with the Jewish community to understand what more we can do in the coming hours and days.”
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