Eli Schlanger, who grew up in Temple Fortune before moving overseas, was the first victim to be identified after two gunmen opened fire on the Archer Park area of the popular beach at 6.47pm local time on Sunday (December 14).
The father-of-five was an assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, and had family members at Kinloss Synagogue in Finchley, according to Jewish News.
The 41-year-old and his wife, Chayala, celebrated the birth of their youngest child, a boy, two months ago.
In a fundraiser by the Chabad Bondi community, Eli was described as an “exceptional human being”.
The tribute reads: “He changed the lives of everyone he interacted with. Always with a warm smile, a listening ear, and a heart open to every question and struggle.
“Whether you came to him with a personal dilemma, a spiritual question, or simply needed someone to talk to, he always had time.
“No one was ever turned away. He supported individuals and families through joy and heartbreak, quietly giving of himself in ways most people never saw.”
This GoFundMe page has raised nearly $319,000 at the time of reporting.
The Chabad Bondi community has told the Ham&High that 100 per cent of the proceeds are going to support his widowed wife and five children.
In the fundraising description, it continues: “Now, he leaves behind his loving wife and five beautiful children, including a newborn baby who will grow up hearing stories of the remarkable father they lost far too soon.
“Eli devoted his life to our community. He gave us his time, his energy, his wisdom, and his love.
“In this time of deep grief, we want to come together to give back to the family who gave him to us.”
To donate to the fundraiser, visit: https://gofund.me/9964dfac9
The first funerals of the victims took place on Wednesday (December 17), including that of Eli.
During a tearful address, his father-in-law, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, told the congregation it was “unthinkable we talk about you in the past tense”.
A total of 16 people were killed in the mass shooting, as twenty people remain in Sydney hospitals, New South Wales Health confirmed.
