Light in Mourning; Interview With Rabbi Mendy Ulman, Brother-in-law of Rabbi Eli Schlanger Hy’d

In the wake of the devastating terror attack at Bondi Beach on Chanukah, in which 15 people were killed by Islamic terrorists, the Sydney Jewish community is navigating profound grief and unprecedented spiritual awakening.

Among those killed at the Chanukah celebration was Chabad shliach Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Hy’d.

Speaking in the aftermath of the tragedy, Rabbi Mendy Ulman; Rabbi Schlanger’s brother-in-law, and son of Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Senior Dayan on the Sydney Beis Din, described to Belaaz a community “in shock,” yet displaying remarkable resilience as they mobilize to honor the memory of a beloved rabbi, educator and family man.

“There are so many pieces to pick up inside the kehillah. They are in shock,” Rabbi Mendy said, describing the immediate mental health response. “It’s been very, very difficult for people to put their brains around the whole thing… for us, it’s literally pulling out as much of our resources as possible to reach out to every single person.”

However, alongside the trauma, he noted a  surge in spiritual resolve.

“It’s a weird balance… you hear a garbage truck stop and it’s loud, and there’s that obvious trauma,” he explained. “But on the ruchnius side, the community is stronger than ever. I’m getting calls from all over the kehillah of people saying they want to be more Jewish.”

He recounted the story of a young woman who had previously been too afraid to affix a mezuzah to her door. “She messaged me and said… ‘I’m putting up a mezuzah and booking it in, and I’m buying a Magen Dovid to wear proudly.’”

One of the most visible responses to the tragedy has been a massive increase in the performance of mitzvos, particularly tefillin, a campaign that Rabbi Schlanger himself championed during his life.

“There are people that are inspired by his tefillin campaign, and there are tons of people buying tefillin right now,” Rabbi Mendy noted. He shared a moving encounter with a man who had stopped putting on tefillin following the October 7 attacks, feeling “cracked” by the events in Israel. “But then he said, after this happened so close to home, it changed his whole [perspective]. He’s saying, ‘I’m putting on tefillin every day.’”

The scale of this spiritual response was evident on Zos Chanukah, the final day of the festival. Emissaries and volunteers at Bondi Beach reported wrapping tefilin on thousands of people.

“On the day of Zos Chanukah… they counted around 10,000 tefillin wraps on that day,” he revealed. “If there are about 50,000 Jews in our state… that’s 20% of Jews in Sydney putting on tefillin. That’s an insane thought to have, but they counted it.”

Rabbi Schlanger is remembered by his family as a positive, upbeat person who dedicated his life to Jewish education, and as a vibrant storyteller.

“He would say stories at every Shabbos table… he had an amazing life of practice,” his brother-in-law recalled.

To permanently honor the legacy of Rabbi Schlanger and all the other kedoshim of the massacre, the family and community are launching a major initiative: the Global Unity Sefer Torah. “We’re doing a Global Unity Sefer Torah. Everyone can buy a specific letter… and when the Torah is done, we will rededicate the sanctuary of the shul in Eli’s name, as he was constantly trying to bring more and more people to daven,” Rabbi Mendy said.

The project aims to provide a tangible way for the world to connect with the tragedy and the resilience of the Sydney community. “The world is looking for a way to connect,” he concluded. “We’re trying to find that way for people to connect.”

Rabbi Schlanger was also a prolific writer of Divrei Torah and chizuk. Rabbi Mendy shared Rabbi Schlanger’s last article that was written before his murder, regarding the Australian government’s decision to limit the social media use of children.

“Congratulations to the Federal Government for the steps you’re taking to safeguard our children and our teenagers across Australia,” Rabbi Schlanger wrote. “This initiative puts the well being and safety of young people first is something I, and I’m sure many of you genuinely welcome.

He connected the decision with parshas Toldos.
“In the Parsha (Toldos), we see two very different moments of parenting, and together they offer a powerful guide for raising children in a complicated world. When Rivka sends Yaakov to receive the blessings, she tells him, “עָלַי קִלְלָתְךָ בני” “If there’s a risk, let it fall on me.”  Rivka knew Yaakov that the dangers around him were great. So she stepped in. She shielded him.

Later, the Torah says, “וַיֶּאֱהַב יִצְחָק אֶת־עֵשָׂו,” and the rabbis teach that Yitzchak recognised Eisav’s struggles. He understood his devious nature and drew him close with extra love. He created a protective fence around him through warmth and connection. Some children need firm boundaries, some need closeness, and honestly, all of them need protection, each in their own way.”

As the Government strengthens national protections, let’s strengthen the boundaries in our own homes as well.”