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A rabbi and father of five has been confirmed among the 15 people killed during the terror attack that took place amid a Hanukkah celebration at Australia’s Bondi Beach in Sydney.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was one of hundreds attending a “Hanukkah by the Sea” event when two gunmen opened fire on the crowd on Sunday, Dec. 14, at around 6:40 p.m. local time, per The Australian and the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC).
The British-born Schlanger had welcomed his fifth child, a son, just six weeks prior, according to The Australian.
His cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, announced his death in a Facebook post.
“My dear cousin, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was murdered in today’s terrorist attack in Sydney,” he wrote. “He leaves behind his wife and young children, as well as my uncle and aunt and siblings.
“He was truly an incredible guy,” he added.
While speaking to the Daily Mail, Schlanger’s brother-in-law, Mendel Kastel, called him “a wonderful man” and “a wonderful community person.”
He continued, “He had a positive effect on so many people and was a true leader. He was a prison chaplain. He will be so missed.”
At least 15 people were killed in the attack, including one child, per NBC News. An additional 40 people have been hospitalized, according to the outlet.
Police said the incident involved two shooters — a 50-year-old father and his 24-year-old son. The 50-year-old was shot and killed by police at the scene, and the 24-year-old sustained critical injuries and has since been hospitalized, per NBC News and the BBC.
Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman was also among the confirmed victims. Kleytman was shot while shielding his wife of 50 years, Larisa Kleytman, during the attack.
“I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me,” his wife told the Daily Mail.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack during a press conference shared on X the morning of Monday, Dec. 15, local time.
“Yesterday was a dark day in our nation’s history. But we are stronger than the cowards who did this,” he said. “We refuse to let them divide us. Australia will never submit to division, violence or hatred — and we will come through this together.”
Bondi Beach is one of Australia’s most well-known vacation and tourist destinations.
