Rabbi Eli Schlanger has been remembered as “much more than a rabbi” to his congregation in one of the first funerals held for a victim of the Bondi terror attack.
In a service on Wednesday attended by friends, family, members of the Jewish community and politicians, Schlanger, 41, was described as “a force” who died “doing what he loved best”.
Rabbi Aron Moss, who began the service, said Schlanger was “more than a rabbi to his congregants”.
“He was a loving friend to his family. He was not just another family member. He was a mentor to his colleagues and friends.”
The London-born rabbi was the first of 15 victims to be named following Sunday’s attack on a Jewish community event to mark the first night of Hanukah in Archer Park, near Bondi beach. Schlanger was a key organiser of the Chanukah by the Sea event.
The father of five was farewelled at the Chabad of Bondi synagogue in Bondi where he worked as an assistant rabbi.
Schlanger’s father-in-law, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, said holding the service in a synagogue, where funerals are not normally held, was a special honour for “a great leader among the Jewish people”.
Ulman addressed a tearful audience about the 41-year-old, who had recently become the father to a newborn son. Schlanger, who worked as a rabbi in Bondi for 18 years, has also been remembered for his work with Corrective Services NSW as a chaplain.
“Whatever I will say today will be such an understatement to what you meant to everyone, to your family, and to me personally,” said Ulman.
The service was one of several expected to take place on Wednesday for victims of Sunday’s attack. The NSW premier, Chris Minns, attended Schlanger’s funeral, as did the NSW opposition leader, Kellie Sloane.
Minns, wearing a kippah, shook hands with members of the Jewish community outside the building. The federal member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, also attended, embracing a member of the security staff outside.
There was a heightened police presence on Wednesday, with much of the street cordoned off and arrivals strictly controlled. A steady stream of mourners wearing hats and head coverings arrived for the 11am service.
The federal Labor MP for Macnamara, Josh Burns, travelled to attend, as did Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon. The federal opposition leader, Sussan Ley, attended alongside the Nationals leader, David Littleproud. The former prime minister Scott Morrison was at the service, but the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, did not appear to attend.
Albanese, who was asked on ABC radio whether he planned to attend funerals being held for victims on Wednesday, said his “thoughts and the thoughts of all Australians are with those farewelling their loved ones today”, but declined to say if he would attend or not.
“I would attend anything that I’m invited to. These are funerals that are taking place to farewell people’s loved ones,” he said.
It was an emotional scene inside the synagogue. Ulman, speaking through tears, addressed his son-in-law, saying it was “unthinkable that we talk about you in the past tense”.
“It’s unthinkable for me to have to say something to a crowd and not be able to come to him and say: ‘Eli, what do you think about these deaths?’”
Prayers were read in both Hebrew and English by different rabbis. The room was packed, with many standing.
Outside, about a hundred later arrivals waited, or watched the service via livestream, while others prayed with tefillin, small boxes containing scrolls of Torah verses that are worn on leather straps. Afterwards, a procession with the rabbi’s coffin was led by a ceremonial Correctional Services guard, and followed by funeral-goers singing in Hebrew.
Speaking about Sunday’s attack during the service, Ulman said Sydney’s Jewish community had suffered its own 7 October. He listed some of the known victims, including 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of the terrorist attack.
“So much pain, so much tragedy – and what about people that are still in hospital, recovering?”
Ulman finished the service by saying that this Sunday, a group of rabbis from Bondi and the Jewish community would meet again on the beach to light eight candles.
“We’re going to show the world that the Jewish people are unbeatable.”
-
In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and Griefline on 1300 845 745. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: theguardian.com
