Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff, 20, an American volunteer at a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, was critically wounded after he tried to assist officers and other victims when two gunmen opened fire, killing 15 people. His parents flew from Texas to Sydney after learning he had been shot; he has undergone two surgeries and is battling an infection. The family described him as brave and quick-thinking and urged leaders to confront hateful rhetoric that can lead to violence.
Young American Rabbi Critically Wounded While Helping After Bondi Beach Hanukkah Attack
Texas rabbi shot trying to help faces long recovery after Australia attack
Sydney — Hundreds gathered in Sydney to mourn the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, a 10-year-old girl publicly identified as Matilda, as the nation grappled with the loss of 15 people killed when two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration.
Among dozens wounded was 20-year-old American Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff, who was volunteering at the event. CBS News found Lazaroff in a Sydney hospital bed holding a menorah while being treated for gunshot wounds to his stomach and thighs. His parents, who lead the Chabad Jewish Center at Texas A&M University, flew from Texas after learning their son had been shot.
Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff, 20, of College Station, Texas, is seen in a hospital room in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 18, 2025, where he was being treated for multiple gunshot wounds sustained during the terrorist attack targeting a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach four days earlier. / Credit: Courtesy of the Lazaroff family
What Happened
Lazaroff told his parents that, when gunfire erupted, he heard officers had been hit. He ran to help, removed his shirt to fashion a tourniquet, and — because he had firearms training — offered to take an officer's weapon in an effort to return fire against the attackers. While attempting to assist, he was struck by gunfire.
“In the middle of the night, someone came to our door to tell us there was a terrorist attack, and that Leibel was — people knew he was shot, but did not know what had happened to him,” his mother, Manya, told CBS News. “At that point, we did not know if he was alive or what his status was.”
Aftermath and Condition
Leibel underwent two surgeries and, four days after the attack, was battling an infection and remained in critical condition with more surgeries expected. His parents described him as quick-thinking and brave; they said he had witnessed his mentor, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, get shot and later learned Schlanger was among the 15 victims.
Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff is seen in an undated family photo with his father, Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff. / Credit: Courtesy of the Lazaroff family
“He saw Rabbi Eli get shot, and Rabbi Eli was his mentor,” Rabbi Yossi Lazaroff told reporters. “He said, ‘I wish there was more I could have done.’”
Family Message
The Lazaroff family urged leaders and communities to treat the Bondi Beach attack as a wake-up call. Manya Lazaroff warned that hateful rhetoric can escalate into deadly violence.
“Hate speech is not just free speech,” Manya said. “It leads to terrible actions like this.”
The community continues to mourn the victims and rally around survivors as investigations and recovery efforts proceed.
