Tibor Weitzen Hy’d, Candyman of Chabad School, Identified as Victim of Sydney Chanukah Massacre

Tibor Weitzen Hy’d, 78, a devoted member of the Chabad shul in Bondi and a cherished father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, was murdered in the Sydney Chanukah massacre on the first night of Chanukah.

At least 15 people were killed by two Pakistani Muslim terrorists, a father and son, on Sunday afternoon. The father was killed and his son, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, was arrested.

The other victims include Chabad shluchim Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yakkov Levitan, 10-year-old Matilda, Holocaust survivor Alex Klettman, Marika Pogany, Reuven Morrison and Dan Elkayam.

Weitzen, who was widely loved within the community, was attending the Chanukah By the Sea event with his wife and grandchildren when the attack occurred. He was killed while attempting to protect a family friend, who was also murdered.

He was remembered by family and friends as a warm and joyful presence, deeply connected to his loved ones and community. Known affectionately by children at the synagogue as “the Lollipop man,” he was a familiar and beloved figure who brought smiles wherever he went.

His grandson, Mendy Amzalak, told The Australian that he rushed to the scene after hearing about the shooting, responding as a first responder. Unknowingly, he came upon his grandfather’s body. Weitzen was pronounced dead at the scene from his injuries.

“He was very involved in the family, we saw him as recently as yesterday he was watching our daughter swim in the pool. I didn’t realize that would be the last time we would see him,” Amzalak said.

“I was one of the first responders, my family were there for the event, and my wife called me so I ran down to the beach with my defibrillator and the shooting was still going. I started treating people and then I came across his body,” Amzalak said.

Amzalak described his grandfather as a man overflowing with happiness, energy, and warmth, someone whose joy was felt by all around him.

Ronnie Sternberg, another member of the Chabad community, said Weitzen was known as the “sweetest kindest guy.”

“All the kids would run to him at synagogue and he would give them lollipops, he was the lollipop man,” Sternberg said.

“He was just such a sweet grandpa, he loved his kids, loved life, he had a very good sense of humour, and he was a loving father grandfather and great grandfather.”