SYDNEY (VINnews) — A black marble headstone bearing gold Hebrew inscriptions was unveiled Wednesday at Rookwood Cemetery for Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a Chabad rabbi and father of five who was killed in the Dec. 14 terror attack at Bondi Beach.
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Family members, friends and community leaders gathered for the traditional Jewish ceremony, marking a somber moment of remembrance for a rabbi described by mourners as deeply devoted to his family and congregation.
Rabbi Schlanger, a member of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, was among those killed when gunmen opened fire in an attack that targeted civilians and shocked the nation.
During the ceremony, mourners placed small stones on the grave, a Jewish custom symbolizing enduring memory and respect for the deceased. Prayers were recited as family members stood beside the newly installed headstone.
The unveiling came days after the attack sparked an outpouring of grief across Australia’s Jewish community, along with renewed calls from national leaders to confront antisemitism and violent extremism.
Rabbi Schlanger’s death has left a profound void for those who knew him, with community members saying his legacy will continue through his family, students and the lives he touched.