A 20-year-old American yeshiva bochur was critically wounded during the terror attack at a Chanukah celebration in Sydney, Australia, as his family describes a young man devoted to spreading joy and strengthening Jewish life.
Leibel Lazaroff was shot in the abdomen and leg during the attack at the annual “Chanukah by the Sea” event at Bondi Beach on Sunday night. Family members said he suffered significant blood loss and still has shrapnel lodged in his stomach and upper thigh. He is hospitalized in critical but stable condition and is expected to undergo additional surgery.
Leibel’s father, Rabbi Yosef Lazaroff of Texas, shared an emotional message on Monday while flying from Texas to Australia to be at his son’s bedside. He said that his son “spread light” even at the moment he was targeted in the attack at Bondi Beach.
Rabbi Lazaroff said he remains in constant contact with hospital staff as his son fights for his life. He described Leibel as a young man who dedicated his year to volunteer work, strengthening Jewish life, and bringing happiness to others.
Rabbi Lazaroff characterized the shooting as an act driven by antisemitic hatred, calling it a defining moral moment separating good from evil, light from darkness, and violence from goodness.
Leibel, an American citizen who had recently been studying at a yeshiva in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, was wounded when terrorists opened fire at the seaside Chanukah celebration. His family said that despite the severity of his injuries, his condition has stabilized following emergency treatment.
Lazaroff grew up in Texas on the campus of Texas A&M University, where his father serves as a Chabad shliach. About two months ago, during the Yom Tov season, he moved to Sydney to volunteer and assist the local Jewish community. On the night of the attack, he was actively helping organize the Bondi Beach Chanukah event when the shooting began.
At least 15 people were murdered in the attack, and more than 40 others were injured, including children. Authorities have classified the incident as a terrorist attack, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Despite the trauma, the Lazaroff family has urged the Jewish community to respond with strength rather than fear. Leibel’s mother thanked the public for their prayers and called on people to increase the spread of light, joy, and celebration throughout Chanukah, dedicating those efforts to the recovery of all the wounded.
{Matzav.com}
