Disturbing video has surfaced showing the final, peaceful moments of a 10-year-old girl and a British-born rabbi celebrating Hanukkah, shortly before they were murdered in a horrific attack at Sydney's Bondi Beach.
A Peaceful Festival Shattered by Violence
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday evening at the iconic tourist destination, where hundreds had gathered for a 'Chanukah by the Sea' event. Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, originally from the UK, and 10-year-old Matilda were among the fifteen innocent people killed when gunmen opened fire on the crowd.
The assailants, identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram and his 50-year-old father Sajid, are alleged to have positioned themselves on a pedestrian footbridge. From there, they reportedly used military-grade weapons to shoot into the crowds below, which included families, local residents, and beachgoers enjoying the festival.
Final Moments of Innocence
Matilda, who was the youngest victim of the massacre, had been enjoying the festivities with her parents and younger sister. The event featured face painting and a petting zoo, typical family-friendly attractions.
Meanwhile, Rabbi Schlanger, a prominent figure in the Chabad community, was performing the Jewish rite of tefillin for men at the gathering. This ritual, usually reserved for adult males, involves wrapping small black leather boxes containing Torah scrolls around the arm and head.
A video shared on social media, now circulating in the wake of the attack, captures a poignant scene. It shows Rabbi Schlanger performing the tefillin ritual on Matilda's father, with the young girl looking on curiously. This ordinary, sacred moment was tragically among their last.
Community and International Reeling
The attack at one of Australia's most famous landmarks has sent shockwaves through the local Jewish community, Sydney, and internationally. The fact that the victims were targeted during a religious celebration adds a particularly harrowing dimension to the crime.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the motives of the attackers, as the city mourns the devastating loss of life. The footage of Rabbi Schlanger and Matilda serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the lives abruptly cut short and the peace shattered on what should have been a joyful evening.
