'My cousin was killed in Bondi Beach terror attack'

A Rabbi has spoken of how he texted his Australia-based cousin to make sure he was safe following the Bondi Beach terror attack, before finding out he had been killed.

Rabbi Shmuli Brown, 46, from Liverpool, said he discovered his second cousin Rabbi Eli Schlanger had been shot dead at the Sydney beach shortly after arriving for morning prayer at his synagogue on Sunday.

Two gunmen - a father and son - killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl, in the attack, which targeted a Hanukkah celebration on the beach on Sunday evening local time.

Rabbi Brown described Rabbi Schlanger as "a phenomenal and charismatic" person who "personified kindness".

"I was walking into the synagogue and my phone was buzzing, so I couldn't bring myself to pray," Rabbi Brown told the BBC at Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall, which was the target of what police described a terrorist attack in October ahead of Hanukkah celebrations.

"My first reaction to seeing there had been a terrorist attack in Sydney was to reach out to Eli and ask if he was safe and okay, and I got no response.

"I found out less than an hour later that he didn't make it," he said.

Rabbi Schlanger, 41, was known as as the "Bondi Rabbi" for his integral role in organising Sunday's event.

He was head of the local Chabad mission, an international Hasidic Jewish organisation, which Rabbi Brown is also a member of.

Rabbi Brown has served as the Chabad Rabbi of Liverpool Universities for 15 years, where he supports Jewish students.

He said his cousin responded to every terror attack against the Jewish community by encouraging "Jewish pride".

"Eli always said we should be more Jewish, act more Jewish, and appear more Jewish.

"Less than 24 hours later, my message to the world is this: We have to increase in positivity and light, especially during the festival of Hanukkah.

"We have to be a light to the nations, restoring humanity back to this world. We have to bring back morals and ethics to this world."

In October, two Jewish people died in an attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.

About 200 members of the Manchester Jewish community gathered earlier at the synagogue to light the menorah for Hannukah and remember the lives lost here and in Bondi.

The service was led by Rabbi Daniel Walker who urged those present to find "light in darkness".

The menorah was lit by the widow of Melvin Kravitz, Karen, who fought to hold back tears and family members of those who lost their lives or were injured on 2 October also attended.

Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones attended the service and expressed her solidarity with the UK Jewish community to those gathered.

She said it was "really, really important we show we are standing with them, that we are supporting them, and that we are celebrating them with, especially given the horrific attack in Bondi beach yesterday".

"But also what happened here in Manchester just two months ago, this community is still grieving, they're still angry, they're scared, and it's important we all show them support and love, and celebrate with them, too, in times of hardship."

Also attending was Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, who condemned the "abhorrent" Bondi beach attack, alongside deputy mayor Kate Green and the leader of Manchester City Council councillor Bev Craig as well as representatives from the police and fire services.

There had been a notable increased police presence in North Manchester as the celebrations took place.

Rabbi Brown said ahead of the service it was a "bitter" feeling.

"We used to come here and help the community," he said. "It's so bitter to see terror has struck here, and has now struck in Sydney."

He added: "We should be bold and rejoice in our heritage, and be brighter than ever.

Rabbi Brown told the BBC he had received many messages from people who had said they plan to wear their Kippah in public "in memory of Eli and the other victims".

"For generations, people have been against us, but we are strong and will never go away."

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