‘His crime was standing proud and tall openly as a Jew’: Savannah rabbi mourns friend killed in Australia Hanukkah attack

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) -A Savannah rabbi is mourning the loss of his childhood friend Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was among those killed in a terror attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia.

Rabbi Zalman Refson of Chabad of Savannah said he awoke to the devastating news that Schlanger, who lead the Chabad Center in Sydney, was killed during gunfire at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach.

“We both grew up in England, and it was tremendously tragic. And it was like a weight on our hearts as we got ready to celebrate Hanukkah together with the entire Savannah community,” Refson said.

Jewish communities across the country began Hanukkah observances under a cloud of grief after the attack in Sydney.

“My friend, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was actually conducting the same celebration we were doing yesterday at Forsyth Park. He was conducting that celebration at Bondi Beach. His crime was standing proud and tall openly as a Jew,” Refson said.

Community draws strength from Hanukkah message

Despite the heartbreak, Refson said the community is drawing strength from the central message of Hanukkah, light in the face of darkness.

“We must go out, spread the message of goodness, spread messages of kindness. And that’s a message that’s something that all of humanity must do,” Refson said.

He said there was hope even in the tragedy when a bystander intervened during the attack.

“There was a candle of hope that we saw, a candle of light. As the terrorist was shooting, a bystander, watching what was going on, intervened. He wasn’t a Jewish man; he was a Muslim man. He put his own life at risk to take down the monster that was going on a killing spree,” Refson said.

Local Jewish leaders call for unity

Rabbi Robert Haas of Congregation Mickve Israel echoed the call for resilience and unity.

“We are coming to celebrate this wonderful holiday in which we celebrate victory over tyranny. But also people come here to understand that we are here for you in good times and in difficult times. And we can’t let something like this keep us from coming and celebrating. And that has kind of been a theme, unfortunately, for Judaism for countless generations.” Haas said.

As Savannah’s Jewish community lights the Hanukkah candles, their thoughts will be with the community in Sydney, shining a light even in the darkest moments.

Refson added that while it is important to stand tall and proud, he is also working with law enforcement to ensure safety at all upcoming Hanukkah celebrations.