Hundreds of mourners filled the Chabad of Bondi Synagogue in Sydney on Wednesday to pay their final respects to British-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, one of the fifteen victims of Sunday's devastating attack at Bondi Beach.
A Community United in Grief
The funeral service, marked by profound sorrow and raw emotion, saw friends and family embrace and weep together. Rabbi Schlanger, 41, was a central figure in the local Jewish community and had been a key organiser of the Hanukkah event targeted in the attack. His coffin was gripped by grieving relatives inside the packed synagogue, a poignant image of personal loss amidst a wider tragedy.
Breaking down as he spoke, mourner Michael Shamrakov remembered his friend's boundless kindness. "He was the kindest man you ever knew. He'd do anything for you," Shamrakov said. "He'd never say no. He'd always have fun with you. He meant the world to us."
A Life of Service and Family
Rabbi Schlanger's legacy extends far beyond his community work. He was a devoted father to five children, with his youngest son born just two months ago. The tragedy has robbed his family of a beloved patriarch and the community of a significant source of inspiration.
Rabbi Yossi Freidman, walking alongside the funeral cortege, spoke of the collective heartbreak. "It's raw emotion, the love, the unity that we felt, the brokenness that we all felt together," he said, describing a scene where many wept as they proceeded to the burial.
Defiance and Determination Amid Sorrow
This funeral on Wednesday 17 December 2025 marks the beginning of a traditional seven-day mourning period. However, the impact of the Bondi Beach attack will undoubtedly linger far longer. In the face of this trauma, the community sought solace in song and mutual consolation.
Despite the overwhelming grief and a palpable sense of vulnerability, a strong undercurrent of defiance was present. Many attendees expressed a resolute determination to stand tall and not be divided by the violence. This gathering was the first of many funerals to come, each a searing reminder of the loss but also a testament to the community's resilience.
