Eli Schlanger: Hundreds gather to mourn slain Bondi rabbi after terror attack

Wails have been heard as hundreds of mourners solemnly filled into a Bondi synagogue for the funeral of a local rabbi gunned down in a shooting massacre.

Assistant rabbi Eli Schlanger was one of 15 people killed when father-and-son terrorists opened fire on a religious celebration on iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday.

Hundreds of his community have gathered at his local synagogue - Chabad of Bondi - to commemorate his life on Wednesday morning, amid a heavy police and security presence, including the complete closure of the road where the funeral is occurring.

Many attendees shed tears as they entered to pay their respects.

The synagogue is a significant focal point for the sizeable local Jewish community, and was where Rabbi Schlanger worked and helped organise the Chanukkah by the Sea event on Sunday.

The event marked the first day of the Jewish festival of lights, also spelled Hannukkah.

Ahead of his attendance at the funeral, prominent rabbi Yossi Friedman described Rabbi Schlanger as a dear friend.

“Such an amazing, incredible man - a beacon of light,” Rabbi Friedman said on Instagram.

Families walked to the service with locked arms while others chose to make political statements, with one older man sporting a “Make America Great Again” cap.

Alex Ryvchin, co-chief of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, was seen helping move the rabbi’s coffin inside.

Multiple Christian priests attended in a multi-faith show of solidarity.

Opposition leader Sussan Ley attended along with fellow Liberal MP Julian Leeser and local independent MP Allegra Spender.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with the rabbi’s family yesterday, as well as many of the families of the shooting’s other victims.

Five other memorials will take place on Wednesday, including another rabbi killed in the shooting, Yaakov Levitan.

The youngest victim of the attack, 10-year-old Matilda, is expected to be laid to rest on Thursday.