A crowd gathered at the Chabad Synagogue in Bondi on 17/12 to attend the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, one of 15 people killed in the Bondi beach shooting on 14/12. Grieving family members leaned on Schlanger's coffin before the ceremony began.

Family members embrace Rabbi Eli Schlanger's coffin during his funeral at the Chabad Synagogue in Bondi, Sydney, on 17/12. Photo: AFP

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Schlanger's father-in-law, spoke emotionally about his son-in-law, expressing immense sorrow. Rabbi Schlanger, 41 years old, was born in England but had lived in Sydney for 18 years and was a father of five children.

Ulman urged Jewish people not to fear visiting Bondi beach, Sydney's most famous beach, which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. He stated that the shootings would not deter Jewish people from celebrating and expressing their faith.

"When those monsters in human form try to destroy us, they hope we will become weak, fade, and be afraid," he said. "But that is not the answer... We must never allow them to succeed; whenever they try to do something, we will become more resilient and stronger."

Ulman announced that on 21/12, the final day of the Hanukkah festival, rabbis would hold an event to light eight candles at the tragedy site.

This was the first funeral held after the tragedy. Hundreds of mourners spilled outside the synagogue, many standing on the sidewalk watching the service via livestream on their phones. Images from the livestream showed the synagogue filled with mourners, men wearing Jewish yarmulkes.

Security was heightened at Bondi beach with the presence of police and private security forces during the funeral. Police cordoned off the street leading to the synagogue, checking bags of attendees and media personnel.

As the ceremony concluded, eight uniformed police officers formed an honor guard beside the hearse, leading the funeral procession down the street.

A crowd of mourners follows the hearse carrying Rabbi Eli Schlanger's coffin on 17/12. Photo: AFP

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, a proponent of stricter gun laws, attended the funeral, alongside federal opposition leader Sussan Ley and local parliament member Allegra Spender.

Stan Gol, 44 years old, a mourner, described Rabbi Schlanger as a selfless person who cared for others and would be deeply missed by the community.

"We miss him dearly. He was always there for everyone; he didn't care if you were rich or poor," Gol shared outside the Bondi synagogue.

According to an announcement by the Chabad Jewish Organization, the funeral for Rabbi Yaakov Levitan took place that same afternoon, while the funeral for Matilda, the 10-year-old girl killed in the shooting, will be held on 18/12.

Hong Hanh (According to Reuters)