Rabbi Eli Schlanger was the first confirmed victim of the Bondi attack, with his UK relatives paying tribute to the 41-year-old father of five.
Schlanger’s first cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, told BBC News that he was “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm outgoing person who loved to help people”.
“I know how he would have been reacting and it was something he said recently,” Lewis said.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger (right).Credit: Instagram
“Every human being on earth has a positive way to contribute to making the world a better place, and we just have to keep spreading light. The world is a positive place, and we need to show that and I know Eli would be saying that.”
Lewis said Rabbi Schlanger was born in London before moving with his family to New York as a child. He relocated again when he married an Australian.
The couple welcomed their fifth child only two months ago in October.
“He was incredibly vivacious. He was full of life, a really pleasant, warm person who really loved helping people and was always a real joy to chat with,” Lewis said.
