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Only a few months ago, he noted that attendance at the Bondi Beach Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony had grown significantly since October 7, even as threats and hostility increased.
By United with Israel Staff
A deadly antisemitic terror attack struck Sydney on Sunday morning when gunmen opened fire on a Jewish community Chanukah candle-lighting event at Bondi Beach, killing at least 11 people and shocking Australia’s Jewish community.
Among those murdered was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a Chabad emissary in Sydney, who was attending the public candle-lighting ceremony alongside dozens of community members when the attackers opened fire.
“One of our emissaries was murdered in Sydney,” Chabad said in a statement, as reports emerged of a mass-casualty antisemitic attack targeting a Jewish religious gathering.
The murder has deeply shaken the Jewish community, coming just weeks after Chabad House at Bondi Beach held a special Shabbat event in memory of other Chabad emissaries murdered in terror attacks. Among those commemorated were Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, who were killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, and Rabbi Zvi Kogan, who was murdered in the United Arab Emirates.
Rabbi Schlanger had spoken openly in recent months about the sharp rise in antisemitism in Australia following the October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel, warning that growing hostility was being felt even as Jewish communal life continued.
Only a few months ago, he noted that attendance at the Bondi Beach Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony had surged since October 7, reflecting both resilience and rising concern. “The number of people coming to the candle-lighting at Bondi Beach has grown dramatically since October 7,” he said, adding that the community had been forced to increase security amid mounting threats.
Sunday’s attack underscores the deadly consequences of rising global antisemitism, as Jewish communities worldwide face increasing threats simply for practicing their faith openly.
Israeli officials and Jewish organizations have repeatedly warned that incitement and hatred directed at Israel often spill over into violence against Jews abroad, a reality once again made tragically clear on the shores of Sydney.
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