Two gunmen opened fire at Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi’s Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach, killing 11 people, including Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger, and injuring many others.
The “Chanukah by the Sea” event, which began at 5:30 PM local time, was disrupted around 6:45 PM when gunfire rang out. Thousands of attendees scattered as the attackers fired into the crowd. One gunman was confronted by a courageous middle-aged man who wrestled the weapon from him. The assailants regrouped briefly on an elevated bridge before both were ultimately neutralized.
December 14 marked the first night of Chanukah, and the Australian Jewish community had gathered to welcome the light of the menorah. Over the decades, the Bondi Beach Chanukah event had become a highlight of Sydney’s Jewish community, attracting thousands of families each year.
Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, who organized the event for Chabad of Bondi, where he served as assistant rabbi. Rabbi Schlanger, son-in-law of Chabad of Bondi founders Rabbi Yehoram and Shternie Ulman, devoted his life to Jewish education and community service as an emissary of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, supporting Jewish life across Bondi.
Vlad, a State Emergency Services chaplain who attended the event with his eight-year-old son, told Australian media that he shielded his son and attempted to assist a security guard who had been shot. Despite the trauma, Vlad said he would light Hanukkah candles at home, affirming, “We are not afraid.”
Since the terror attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023, Australian Jews have faced rising threats. Synagogues have been vandalized or burned, homes and cars defaced with antisemitic graffiti, and protests in major cities have included calls for genocide and the destruction of Israel.
Other victims identified include Reuven Morrison, a Chabad member who split his time between Melbourne and Sydney, and Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, who attended with his children and grandchildren.
Earlier this year, Schlanger spoke to Chabad.org about the rise in antisemitism in Australia, expressing pride that attendance at Chanukah at the Beach had doubled despite threats. Security at the event had also been strengthened in recent years.
Last Chanukah, Schlanger shared a message in his signature humorous style, posting a video showing the “Chabad way” of responding to antisemitism. Dancing toward his car with a light-up menorah on top, he encouraged others to share light in the face of hate. His message remains a guiding principle: “Be more Jewish, act more Jewish and appear more Jewish.”
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.