The young Texan rabbi who saved a critically wounded police officer during the Bondi Beach terror attack has been pictured for the first time since the massacre, surrounded by his family as he recovers from severe gunshot wounds.
A Heroic Act in the Midst of Chaos
Leibel Lazaroff, aged 20, found himself at the heart of a nightmare when two gunmen opened fire on a crowd gathered for the Hanukkah by the Sea celebration. In the ensuing chaos, with gunshots ringing out, the young rabbi rushed to aid an Australian police officer who had been critically wounded.
With no medical equipment to hand, Lazaroff acted with immense presence of mind, using his own shirt to create a makeshift tourniquet to stem the bleeding from the officer's injuries. This selfless act is credited with helping to save the officer's life.
A Long Road to Recovery
Lazaroff himself was not spared from the violence. He sustained severe injuries, having been shot in the abdomen and thigh during the attack. After fighting for his life in intensive care, he has now been moved to a different ward, a significant milestone in his recovery.
His parents, Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff and Manya Lazaroff, flew from the United States to be at his bedside in the Sydney hospital. On Saturday, they were visited by Australia's Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, who posted a moving tribute on social media.
"It was very moving to meet Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff and his family," Plibersek wrote. "Leibel has a long road to recovery... It was one of many acts of bravery that showed us the best of humanity that day."
Community Support and Ongoing Treatment
The young rabbi had only moved to Australia in September, undertaking an internship with Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was tragically among the 15 innocent people killed in the attack. A fundraiser set up by his wider family, the Friedmans, has highlighted the severity of his injuries.
"While this milestone brings hope, Leibel’s injuries were severe, and his medical journey is far from complete," they wrote on a GoFundMe page. "He faces many months of continued hospitalisation, further surgeries, and complex treatment."
Donations are supporting his specialised care and enabling his parents to remain in Australia. Lazaroff has also received a visit from the Deputy Israeli Ambassador to Australia, Amir Meron, for whom he performed a mitzvah, or good deed, from his hospital bed.
His brother, Rabbi Menachem Lazaroff, revealed that Leibel underwent lengthy surgery to remove shrapnel from his abdomen and leg, sustaining liver, rib, and tissue damage. "The doctors think he's going to make it," he stated last week.
The third oldest of nine siblings, Leibel is a talented pianist who recently studied at a yeshiva in Brooklyn before becoming a rabbi and moving to Australia, where he was dedicated to organising events and helping others within the community.
