Rabbi Eli Schlanger, killed in Australia Bondi Beach mass shooting, has a unique tie to Orlando
Rabbi killed in deadly Bondi Beach attack had Central Florida ties
Jewish communities marked the second night of Hanukkah with heavy hearts following a deadly terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, that killed at least 15 people, including a rabbi with ties to Central Florida.
ORLANDO, Fla. - A rabbi who was shot and killed during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia on Sunday, once visited Winter Park for the Chabad of Greater Orlando's annual Hanukkah celebration.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was a Jewish leader – serving as assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi in Australia.
What we know:
Rabbi Schlanger was killed on Dec. 14 in a mass shooting on the beach during a public Hanukkah celebration.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger (far right) attends a Chabad of Greater Orlando Hanukkah in Winter Garden 20 years ago. Source: Chabad of Greater Orlando
Chris Minns, the Premier of New South Wales, said 16 people died in this shooting – 15 innocent people and one perpetrator – and 42 people are in New South Wales hospitals, Minns said during a Dec. 14 press conference.
Minns called this incident a "terrible, targeted attack on what should have been a joyful event that they gave every right to share with their community on Bondi Beach last night."
The shooting is Australia's deadliest shooting in almost 30 years.
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the shooting an attack of "pure evil."
Flowers laid near the scene of the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Sixteen people have been killed in Australia's worst terrorist attack after gunmen opened fire on Jewish people who had gathered to celebr
On Dec. 15, flowers were placed at the beach in remembrance of the 15 victims who were killed.
Who is Rabbi Eli Schlanger?
Rabbi Eli Schlanger visited Winter Park 20 years ago for a week during Hanukkah. Every year, the Chabad of Greater Orlando invites student rabbis from other areas or synagogues to join in on the traditions in Orlando. About 20 years ago, Schlanger was one of these visiting students, Rabbi Sholom Dubov of Chabad of Greater Orlando told FOX 35.
Students are invited to dance on the stage during the Hanukkah celebrations.
According to Chabad.org, Schlanger – who was born in London and ordained in Brooklyn – served as a rabbi and chaplain in Bondi for 18 years.
"Our hearts are heavy as we learn of the devastating attack at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia," the Chabad of Greater Orlando said in a Facebook statement. "We mourn the loss of innocent lives and stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world during this painful time."
Who are other identified victims?
The victims range from 10 to 87 years old, Minns said.
Victims of the Bondi Beach attack begin to be identified The first known victims of the terror attack have been identified including a 10-year-old girl, 2 rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, a beloved father, a young French citizen & a photographer on assignment.… pic.twitter.com/MqXTdAJ0an
— Israel Heritage Foundation (@IHF_Heritage) December 15, 2025
What were people celebrating on Bondi Beach?
A Jewish gathering took place on Dec. 14, in honor of the first day of eight days of Hanukkah. The annual celebration "Hanukkah by the Sea" was organized by Schalanger.
Hundreds were anticipated to join in the "Hanukkah by the Sea," the Chabad Lubavitch Headquarters reported two days before the shooting. The event was planned to have children's activities, live entertainment and Chanukah treats.
Who are the suspects?
The two gunmen were identified as father and son partners Sajid Akram, 50 and Naveed Akram, 24. The father was killed in a shooting with police and the son is in the hospital in critical condition.
The father is a licensed firearm holder who had six firearms licensed to him, New South Wales Commissioner Mal Lanyon said. Police recovered six guns from the scene. Police are currently conducting a ballistics report determining that all six guns they found were used in the shooting are licensed to the father.
Lanyon called the shooting a terrorist attack. He confirmed that there were only two shooters and that the police force is not looking for a third person involved.
One man hailed a hero
Ahmed el Ahmed, who disarmed a gunman during a deadly shooting, is being praised as a hero.
Video footage posted to social media shows a passerby dressed in a white T-shirt and dark pants crouching behind a parked car before sneaking up behind a gunman, grabbing him and wrestling away his firearm. The bystander then points the weapon at the gunman, who falls to the ground.
The Source: Information in this story was sourced from Rabbi Sholom Dubov, Chabad of Greater Orlando, a press conference with the New South Walles Police Force and The Associated Press.