Merkos Shluchim Strengthen Bondi After Chanukah Attack

By COLlive Reporter

After 28 intense and uplifting days in Sydney, the Merkos Shluchim dispatched to Bondi have returned home, leaving behind a strengthened and inspired community.

The 28-day mission—following the tragic terror attack on the first night of Chanukah—was not coincidental. It mirrored the 28 days that the Rebbe sent a group of handpicked shluchim to Kfar Chabad following the 1956 massacre, with the directive to fortify and uplift the shattered community.

The Rebbe’s approach in 1956 was clear: in a time of tragedy and darkness, the response must be to transform the darkness itself—until it shines with light and growth. That same approach guided the Merkos initiative in Bondi.

On the eighth night of Chanukah, Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky publicly committed to sending a group of Shluchei Kodesh to Sydney, as he joined the 20,000 gathered to light the menorah at the site of the attack.

Just two weeks after the tragedy, five bochurim arrived in Sydney: Zalmy Hirsch, Mendel Kramer, Sholom Ber Liberow, Sruly Schapiro and Eli Salek.

Their mission was clear: to strengthen Chabad of Bondi, support the affected community, and bring chizuk to the broader Sydney Jewish community.

Their presence was immediately felt. Walking the streets of Bondi in hats and jackets, unmistakably Jewish, they were repeatedly stopped by Jews and non-Jews alike who shared that they had heard—through social media and word of mouth—that a group of American shluchim had arrived to offer support.

One of their first stops was Bondi Beach itself, the site of the attack. As they crossed the now-infamous bridge, there was a palpable sense of light and resolve replacing the darkness. Their very presence sent a message: Jewish life continues proudly and openly.

Following the Rebbe’s directive to the shluchim sent to Kfar Chabad— “When in Kfar Chabad, spend your extra time learning in the shul. Through learning Nigleh and Chassidus there, people will realize this is the place where you can be reached”—each morning began with learning in the Bondi Chabad House. The steady kol Torah brought renewed energy and momentum to the makom.

The afternoons were dedicated to visiting community members, many of whom had been present at the attack or were directly affected.

Zalmy Hirsch described meeting a woman who was “completely depressed” when they first arrived. By the end of their visit—after heartfelt conversation and the installation of a mezuzah on her door—she was laughing and crying with them, visibly uplifted.

Sruly Schapiro recounted learning with Alex, a middle-aged Russian immigrant who had been close to Rabbi Eli Schlanger Hy”d. Wanting to continue Rabbi Eli’s practice, the bochurim organized a farbrengen in Alex’s home, just as Rabbi Eli had done regularly. The impact was immediate. Participants expressed how meaningful it was that the bochurim were there “for Eli.”

The gathering concluded with the father of Matilda, the youngest victim of the attack, reciting Kaddish on the occasion of her shloshim. It was an emotional and powerful moment of unity and remembrance.

The shluchim also visited hospitals, bringing strength to those still recovering.

One elderly woman, recuperating from a gunshot wound, was uplifted through song and niggunim. She blessed the bochurim before they left her room.

They spent time with Yaakov Tetleroyd, whose hand was encased in a metal brace as he recovered from injuries, while also mourning his father, Boris Tetleroyd, one of the 15 victims. After sharing words of Torah, Yaakov urged them, “Come back and share more Torah with me.”

Another meaningful visit was to Leibel Lazaroff, who was recovering from multiple serious wounds and numerous surgeries. Together with the bochur shliach who had been serving in Bondi earlier that year, they discussed how best to maximize their time in Sydney. A WhatsApp group was created to facilitate ongoing communication and guidance between the Merkos shluchim and Leibel, who remained deeply involved in his mokom hashlichus even from his hospital bed.

Determined to build upon Rabbi Eli Schlanger’s initiatives, the shluchim resolved not merely to restore—but to expand.

A project especially close to Rabbi Eli’s heart was a weekly “Yeshivah Night,” encouraging men to come together to learn Torah. The shluchim personally called and invited participants, including those who rarely attended.

What had once been a small gathering of 10–12 men quickly grew to over 60 regular participants—and continues to grow—directly fueled by the renewed energy and outreach.

Throughout their stay, the message was consistent: increase light and mitzvos to transform darkness into light.

A OneMitzvah.org campaign was launched with the goal of reaching 10,000 mitzvos in memory and merit of those affected. Commitments included 52 weeks of lighting Shabbos candles, A full year of putting on tefillin and Installing mezuzos.

Each mitzvah became a source of comfort for grieving families and an elevation for the neshamos.

On Shabbosim, the shluchim visited shuls throughout the Bondi area, delivering shiurim and teaching Chassidus. They also organized shiurim for the wider Anash community in Sydney, providing ongoing chizuk and connection.

When the shluchim sent to Kfar Chabad returned to 770, the Rebbe instructed them to say l’chaim for all those who assisted in their shlichus.

In that same spirit, the Bondi community—together with the support of Merkos—came together in unity. The peulos initiated during these 28 days are already bearing fruit and will continue to resonate, iy”H, until Yemos HaMoshiach—when “ולילה כיום יאיר ורוח הטומאה אעביר מן הארץ.”