by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent, with reporting from Jerusalem, Paris, Budapest, and Sydney
JERUSALEM/PARIS/BUDAPEST/SYDNEY (Worthy News) – Jewish communities worldwide are impacted by one of the deadliest terror attacks against Jews outside Israel in decades, when gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, killing 15 people, Worthy News established Monday.
The victims included two Chabad rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, a recent immigrant, a retired police officer, and a 10-year-old girl, authorities confirmed. One of the two attackers was also killed.
The shooting struck “Hanukkah by the Sea,” a public celebration organized by the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, known globally for Jewish outreach, education, and humanitarian aid.
What was meant to mark the first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, turned into darkness when a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son allegedly opened fire on a crowd of roughly 1,000 people, wounding around 40 others, including police officers.
Authorities described the massacre as the deadliest antisemitic attack outside Israel since the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault that sparked the Gaza war.
CHABAD RABBIS KILLED
Among the dead was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, an assistant Chabad rabbi in Sydney’s Bondi area. He is survived by his wife and five children, including a baby boy born just two months ago.
Born in London and trained in France and New York, Schlanger was outspoken against rising antisemitism in Australia. In a March interview, he urged Jews to respond to hatred with pride, saying, “Be more Jewish, act more Jewish and appear more Jewish.”
Family members said Schlanger’s response to the attack would have been to urge people to “keep spreading light” through charity and kindness.
Also killed was Rabbi Yaakov Halevi Levitan, a Chabad emissary and secretary of Sydney’s Beth Din, the city’s Jewish religious court.
Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Levitan worked extensively in Jewish education and communal life and was described by colleagues as a dedicated, behind-the-scenes figure essential to the functioning of Sydney’s Jewish institutions.
HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR KILLED
Another victim was Alex Kleytman, 87, a Ukrainian-born Holocaust survivor who was killed while shielding his wife from gunfire, according to relatives.
Kleytman survived Nazi persecution as a child before immigrating to Australia, where he built a life as a civil engineer. Jewish charities had previously documented his story as an example of resilience after the Holocaust.
Also killed was Dan Elkayam, 27, a French national who moved to Sydney last year for work.
France’s foreign minister confirmed his death, expressing “immense sadness.” Elkayam worked in information technology and was active in sports and travel.
The youngest victim was Matilda Britvan, 10, a student at a Sydney language school. Teachers described her as a joyful child whose “memory will remain in our hearts.”
OTHER VICTIMS REMEMBERED
Among those killed was Reuven Morrison, 62, a businessman and philanthropist who remained deeply involved in Jewish communal life even after relocating from Sydney to Melbourne.
Chabad said Morrison was widely known for his generosity and long-standing support of charitable causes, including Chabad of Bondi.
Tibor Weitzen, 78, a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who emigrated from Israel to Australia in 1988, was also killed. Family members said he was fatally shot while attempting to protect a family friend from gunfire and was remembered as a warm and devoted community member.
Another victim was Peter Meagher, a retired police officer and longtime rugby volunteer who was working as a freelance photographer at the Hanukkah event.
Community members described him as “a respected former officer” who spent decades in public service before being killed while documenting a community celebration.
HUNGARY, EUROPE MOURNING
Marika Pogany, 82, a grandmother with roots in Hungary and Slovakia, was also among the victims.
A longtime community volunteer, she was honored in 2019 with the Jewish Communal Appeal’s “Mensch Award” for delivering more than 12,000 kosher Meals on Wheels over two decades.
Jewish organizations said she regularly attended Holocaust remembrance events and remained closely connected to her heritage.
There was mourning Monday in Australia, Israel, Hungary, Slovakia, France, and beyond, as Jewish leaders warned that the attack underscores the growing global threat of antisemitic violence.
Community leaders said the massacre struck at the heart of a celebration meant to symbolize light, faith, and survival — values many now say must be defended more resolutely than ever.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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