Sydney Shooting

The first victim of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack has been identified as Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

Schlanger, a husband and father, was an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. According to his LinkedIn, he had held the position for more than 18 years. He was also a chaplain for the local community.

Chabad.org described Schlanger as a key organiser of Sunday night’s event. On social media, Schlanger had counted down the days until the Chanukah by the Sea event.

“I send condolences to the families of the murdered, including the family of Chabad emissary Rabbi Eli Schlanger, of blessed memory, and I pray for the recovery of the injured,” Shas party leader Aryeh Deri said, according to The Times of Israel.

In a post on Facebook, Eliezer Tewel remembered his friend as “one of us”.

“​He wasn’t some distant figure. He was the guy staying up late planning the logistics for a Menorah lighting that most people will take for granted. The one stressing about the weather. The one making sure there were enough latkes and the kids weren’t bored,” Tewel wrote.

“He was just doing his job. Showing up. Being the constant, reliable presence for his community.​ And that’s where the gut punch lands: He was killed while doing the most basic, kindest, most normal part of our lives. It wasn’t a battlefield. It was a Chanukah party.”

NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane and Rabbi Eli Schlanger, in a post shared on social media in September.

- Reporting by Sarah McPhee at Sydney Morning Herald