NEW YORK (VINnews)— A moving embrace between a Muslim Australian hero and a grieving Chabad rabbi highlighted an unforgettable evening at the annual Colel Chabad awards gala dinner, where attendees honored courage in the aftermath of a deadly terrorist attack.
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Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Syrian-born Australian who risked his life to disarm a gunman during the Dec. 14, 2025, terror attack at a Chanukah menorah lighting on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, was warmly embraced by Rabbi Yehoram Ulman. Ulman’s son-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was among the 15 people murdered in the antisemitic shooting.
Rabbi Ulman, spiritual leader of Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi Beach, addressed the crowd with a message of resilience, declaring that “darkness will not prevail.”
Al-Ahmed, speaking humbly, attributed his actions to divine guidance, saying God led him to save lives during the attack, in which he was shot while wrestling a firearm from one of the assailants.
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, visibly emotional, broke down in tears as he described the extraordinary courage al-Ahmed displayed in risking his own life to protect strangers. The room, filled with supporters of Colel Chabad’s charitable work, was left in collective silence, with few dry eyes among the attendees.
The gala recognized both al-Ahmed and Rabbi Ulman for their roles in confronting hatred and promoting unity. Organizers praised the pair as symbols of moral clarity and resolve in the face of terror.
Attendees expressed gratitude to Rabbi Sholom Dovber Duchman, director of Colel Chabad, for organizing the powerful evening and for the organization’s ongoing efforts to provide food, medical aid and support to thousands in Israel and beyond.
chabad is the best, they are our representatives to the world
Wow, what a beautiful event. A truly heroic man. A great organization. A worthy benefactor. Kol HaKavod
Wish they would stop making non Jews wear kippas. They are not Jewish. It’s not required. It’s not a sign of respect. They just look foolish.
Chabad needs to chill. Non stop with the honors for this guy. Now if he would have actually shot and actually incapacitated or killed the shooter, that would be something worthy of all this kavod. But no, he couldn’t do that. This brother of the mass murderer had too much rachmanus; to the point that he got back up and continued shooting. Duh!! Enough with all the honors and ceremonies for him. A TYVM (and a “what were you thinking? next time c”v take him out”)and a hand shake will do.