A Texas Rabbi’s son, Leibel Lazaroff, is in the ICU after a mass shooting at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach in Australia. The shooting is being treated as an antisemitic attack. Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff said he is traveling to Australia to be with his son, according to Click2Houston.
Heightened security was observed during Hanukkah celebrations across Houston, including at City Hall and events in Bellaire and Sugar Land, as authorities worked to protect the community following a violent overseas attack, as reported by KHOU. Mayor John Whitmire stated that hatred and antisemitism will not be tolerated, while Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky of the Shul of Bellaire confirmed that his close friend, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, was killed in the attack.
Jewish leaders in Houston are urging resilience and encouraging open celebration of Hanukkah despite the tragedy, with community members from diverse backgrounds invited to participate in events. Among the injured is Label Lazaroff from College Station, who remains in critical condition, as his family shared in a statement, while local communities continue to show support and solidarity.
