Key Takeaways
- A 14-year-old girl, Chaya Dadon, was shot in the leg while protecting two younger children during the Bondi terror attack.
- The attack, which occurred during a Hanukah celebration, resulted in the deaths of 15 people and injured 41 others, including four children.
- Chaya’s actions have been hailed as heroic, with her grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Lieder, describing her as a "sensitive" and "gentle soul" who always wants to help others.
- The Jewish community in Australia has begun funerals for the victims, with Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Lieder’s nephew, being remembered for his selfless dedication to his community.
- The community’s response to the attack will highlight the contrast between those who value life and those who seek to destroy it.
Introduction to the Tragedy
As bullets sprayed Bondi beach, Chaya Dadon heard a desperate call for help. A woman pleaded with the 14-year-old to take her children amid the unfolding horror on Sunday evening. Chaya rushed out from a bench she had been sheltering under with a friend, laying her body on top of the two younger children to shield them as gunmen carried out Australia’s worst terrorist attack, targeted at a joyous Hanukah celebration. Moments later, Chaya was shot in the leg. This selfless act of bravery has been hailed as a testament to Chaya’s character, and her story is one of the many that have emerged from the tragedy.
A Heroic Act
Chaya’s grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Lieder, describes seeing a video of Chaya protecting the two children on social media. "She is not giving up," he says. "Her instinct is to save lives while these terrorists are killing people. What a contrast." Lieder describes his granddaughter as "sensitive" and a "gentle soul". "She always wants to make sure that nobody gets hurt," he says. Chaya’s actions were not surprising to those who know her, as she has always been someone who wants to help others. Lieder says his granddaughter would frequently ask him: "what can I do to help you?" This selfless attitude is a testament to Chaya’s character, and her bravery in the face of danger has inspired many.
The Aftermath of the Attack
The terrorists killed 15 people, with 41 – including four children – taken to hospitals across Sydney after the attack. As of Wednesday evening, 17 patients were hospitalized and being treated for their injuries. The Jewish community in Australia has begun funerals for the victims, with Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Lieder’s nephew, being remembered for his selfless dedication to his community. At his funeral on Wednesday, Rabbi Aron Moss said Schlanger had been "ripped away from us, doing what he loved best". "Spreading love and joy and caring for his people with endless self-sacrifice in his life and in his death, he towered above as one of the highest and holiest souls," he said. The loss of Schlanger and the other victims has been felt deeply by the community, and the funerals have been an opportunity for them to come together and mourn.
A Community in Mourning
Lieder was on his way to Bondi beach for Sunday’s Hanukah celebration when his grandson warned him about the shootings. He says he would never have believed in his "wildest imagination" that one of Australia’s most famous destinations would become a site of terrorism. The community’s response to the atrocity, he says, will "show the world the contrast between people who want life, life is the most sacred thing to them, and people who want to destroy life". The attack has been a devastating blow to the Jewish community in Australia, but it has also brought them together in a show of solidarity and support. As they mourn the loss of their loved ones, they are also finding ways to honor their memories and continue their legacy.
A Message of Hope
Chaya’s story is one of hope and resilience in the face of tragedy. Her actions have inspired many, and her bravery has been hailed as a testament to the human spirit. As the community continues to mourn and heal, they are also finding ways to move forward and rebuild. The contrast between the terrorists who sought to destroy life and the people like Chaya who seek to protect it is a powerful reminder of the importance of valuing human life and promoting peace and understanding. As Lieder says, "life is the most sacred thing" and it is up to us to protect and cherish it. The Jewish community in Australia will continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones, but they will also find ways to honor their memories and continue their legacy of promoting love, joy, and peace.