‘He spread happiness and light’: Tributes paid to London-born rabbi named as sufferer of Bondi seaside terror assault | EUROtoday

A London-born rabbi has been named as one of many victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist assault, which claimed 11 lives.

Relatives have paid tribute to Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41-year-old father of 5, as a person who “loved helping people” after he was killed when two gunmen opened hearth on households celebrating Hanukkah in Sydney.

Rabbi Schlanger, who labored at Jewish cultural centre Chabad Bondi, grew up in Temple Fortune in north London, his cousin mentioned.

Rabbi Zalman Lewis, from Brighton, found his liked one was among the many victims when he obtained a listing of names of individuals to wish for following the atrocity.

“We are just beginning to process this,” Rabbi Lewis instructed Jewish News. “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.”

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He mentioned Rabbi Schlanger and his spouse had welcomed their youngest youngster, a child boy, two months in the past.

He described him as “vivacious, optimistic and full of energy and life”, including: “Eli loved helping people, encouraging people to do mitzvot. He was so bubbly, almost eccentrically so.”

Rabbi Bentzi Sudak, a colleague and household good friend, added: “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.”

According to the Australian Jewish NewsRabbi Schlanger had not too long ago uncovered a misplaced chapter in his household’s historical past, together with a great-Uncle who had tragically been murdered within the Holocaust.

Another great-uncle, the late Reverend Leslie Olsberg, had additionally beforehand served as rabbi at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester, the place two congregants had been murdered in a terror assault throughout Yom Kippur in October.

The Metropolitan Police mentioned it was “stepping up” patrols within the wake of the Sydney assault, as Jewish communities throughout London have fun Hanukkah.

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One suspected gunman was killed by police and one other was wounded, New South Wales Police Force mentioned. In whole, 11 victims had been killed after the attackers opened hearth on round 1,000 individuals who had gathered for first day of Hanukkah at round 6.45pm.

Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, mentioned the assault was “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism”.

“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith,” he added.

“An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation, an attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated on this attack on our way of life.

“There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear, we will eradicate it.”