Mourning the Chabad Community Pillars
The Jewish community in Sydney is in deep mourning as the identities of more victims from the deadliest shooting in Australia in 30 years continue to emerge. Among the latest victims named are two individuals deeply connected to Chabad, the organization that hosted the Hanukkah event targeted by the terrorists.
- Rabbi Yaakov HaLevi Levitin: Rabbi Levitin, a second Chabad shaliach (emissary) murdered in the attack, worked alongside Rabbi Michoel Gurarie and was widely known for his dedication and extensive work on behalf of the local Jewish community.
- Reuven Morrison: Originally from the former USSR, Morrison was a warm, generous individual who had discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney. Although he and his wife later moved to Melbourne to ensure their daughter, Shaina, received the best education, he remained deeply tied to the Sydney community and often returned for business. Morrison was a successful businessman known for his quiet philanthropy, routinely donating much of his earnings to charitable causes, most notably Chabad of Bondi, which organized the event. His life was defined by his unwavering commitment to Jewish life and communal institutions.
The Growing Toll of Terror
The horrific toll from the systematic shooting has sadly increased to 15 innocent lives murdered, with another 40 people wounded. The age range of the victims highlights the indiscriminate brutality of the attack. Among the deceased are a 10-year-old girl and the oldest victim, Alex Kleitman, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, who was reportedly killed while attempting to shield his wife.
The five victims named so far include:
- Rabbi Eli Schlanger (41): A Chabad emissary and one of the key organizers of the festive event.
- Alex Kleitman (87): A Holocaust survivor.
- Dan Elkayam (27): A French-Jewish citizen who had immigrated to Sydney about a year ago.
- Rabbi Yaakov HaLevi Levitin: A dedicated Chabad emissary.
- Reuven Morrison: A generous philanthropist and longtime Chabad community member.
Timeline and Terrorist Identity
Australian authorities have updated the timeline of the terror attack, revealing that the shooting spree lasted for minutes, transforming the celebration into a scene of carnage.
- 6:47 PM: Initial report received by Sydney Police, one minute after the first shots were mistaken for firecrackers.
- 7:20 PM: Ahmad Al-Ahmad, the heroic fruit-shop owner, was filmed charging one of the terrorists.
- 7:30 PM: The two terrorists were documented being neutralized on the bridge.
The perpetrators were identified as a father, 50, and his son, Navid Akram, 24. The father was killed by police, and the son was critically injured and arrested. Police confirmed the father had six legally licensed firearms. Authorities also found an "ISIS-style" flag and improvised explosive devices in their vehicle.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to devote every possible resource to respond to what he described as "an act of pure evil" directed against Jewish Australians. He pledged the government would stand by Australian Jews to eliminate antisemitism in all its forms, amidst global fears of inspiration attacks during Hanukkah.
