Sydney Attack Victim: R’ Reuven Morrison Hy”d

The Jewish communities of Sydney and Melbourne are mourning the loss of R’ Reuven Morrison Hy”d, who was killed in the terror shooting in Sydney.

R’ Reuven, 62, was a member of the Chabad community who split his time between Melbourne and Sydney, remaining deeply connected to both cities through his business dealings and communal involvement.

Originally from the former Soviet Union, Morrison emigrated to Australia as a teenager in the 1970s and later settled in the Bondi area of Sydney, where he became well known for his kindness, generosity, and philanthropic activism.

Last year, Morrison spoke publicly to the media about rising antisemitism in Australia, drawing on his own experiences growing up under Soviet rule. “Walking around the streets in the USSR we always looked back, we were aware of our environment, and we expected the unexpected,” Mr. Morrison said in December 2024.

He explained that Jews who left the USSR, particularly those of his generation, had lived under constant pressure and intimidation, both from the authorities and from society at large.

Yet he expressed disbelief that similar fears were now being felt in Australia. “We came here with the view that Australia is the safest country in the world and the Jews would not be faced with such anti-Semitism in the future, where we can bring up our kids in a safe environment.”

Despite residing primarily in Melbourne in recent years, Morrison remained closely tied to Sydney, where he continued his business activities and maintained strong communal bonds.

He is survived by his wife, Leah, his daughter, Shaina Gutnick, and his grandchildren.

{Matzav.com}