Emotions were palpable as family members and friends gathered to bid farewell to the first victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack. The heart-wrenching funerals were held just a stone’s throw from where the tragic events unfolded.

The first service drew an overwhelming crowd at the Chabad of Bondi synagogue, where standing room was scarce. Mourners filled the sacred space and spilled onto the streets outside, all under the vigilant watch of heightened security measures.

Among those who came to pay their respects were notable figures such as New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, Wentworth MP Allegra Spender, and former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The Israeli Ambassador to Australia, Amir Maimon, also joined the mourners.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was a notable absentee, choosing to respect the wishes of the bereaved by not attending unless invited, a sentiment he expressed prior to the service.

In a departure from tradition, eulogies were shared at the service despite Jewish customs typically favoring prayers over speeches. This break from protocol served as a poignant reminder of the profound loss felt by the community and the world.

Rabbi Schlanger, who was also a prison chaplain, received a guard of honour from Corrective Services NSW. He would often travel hours out to regional NSW to be with inmates.

During the service mourners paid tribute to the “outstandingly devoted… exemplary and loving husband”, “supportive and caring son and son-in-law” and “loyal and inspirational friend”.

Relatives were seen embracing his coffin in grief as the service began.

Rabbi Levi Wolff described Rabbi Schlanger as one of the “purest, most sincere and passionate people any of us have known”.

“Eli was ripped away from us in the midst of doing what we loved best, spreading love and joy, and caring for his people with endless self-sacrifice,” Wolff said.

“In his life and in his death, he towered above as one of the highest and holiest souls.

“This loss is massive for the entire Jewish nation, but for our community here, and for Chabad of Bondi, the loss is unspeakable.”

Wolff said Rabbi Schlanger was a proud father-of-five, including a six-week-old son, who would “keep watching over” his family.

“We have all been hoping over the last three days that we would wake up and somehow realise that this was all a terrible dream. We can’t wish that anymore,” Wolff added.

“We are here, raw and devastated, crying in unbearable pain, along with the entire Jewish people and all good people across Australia and the world over in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack that was perpetrated in our city.

“We mourn the loss of every single precious life, we embrace their families and we wish them strength.

“We pray for the speedy and complete recovery of the injured.”

Just three hours after they said their goodbyes, there was a second funeral – this time for Sydney businessman Reuven Morrison.

He was one of the heroes from Sunday, hurling a brick at the gunmen.

“He’s chasing after the terrorists, in his usual way, swearing at the terrorists, and he throws at them a brick! This is the greatest heroic act that a Jew can do … to save another Jew,” a friend said, remembering Morrison.

Then, in the late afternoon, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, a father-of-four, was farewelled at Macquarie Park.

“We saw him physically plucked and torn away from the ones he loved so dearly and the wider community,” one mourner said in tribute.

The funerals marked the official beginning of seven days of mourning but there will be no end date.

This community is dealing with another atrocity and, history tells us, the pain will live on forever.

If you have been impacted by the terror attack in Bondi there is support available.