London-born rabbi named as one of 11 victims of Bondi Beach terrorist attack

A rabbi who was born in London has been named as one of the 11 victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

Eli Schlanger, 41, grew up in Temple Fortune and had family members of Kinloss synagogue in Finchley.

The father-of-five was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre in Sydney.

He and his wife Chayala celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago.

Schlanger was killed when two men opened fire on a crowd at a "Chanukah by the Sea" celebration at 6.47pm local time on Sunday, the first night of Chanukah.

His first cousin, Brighton-based Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told Jewish News: “How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?

“We can only respond by doing what Eli would have wanted, what he dedicated his life to – doing more mitzvot (good deeds) and to keep spreading positive energy.”

According to Channel 12, Schlanger wrote a letter to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese several weeks ago asking him to support Israel amid its war with Hamas in Gaza following the October 7 massacre.

“As a rabbi in Sydney, I beg you not to betray the Jewish people and not God Himself,” he wrote. “Jews have been torn from their land again and again by leaders who are now remembered with contempt in the pages of history."

The Metropolitan Police and Police Scotland are among several forces increasing patrols around synagogues and other community venues during Jewish celebrations.