UPDATE: NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane heroically saved the lives of a young father and his son during a terrifying incident at a Chanukah celebration on December 14, 2023 in Sydney. This dramatic event unfolded just one week after Australia’s deadliest terror attack targeted the Jewish community at Chabad Bondi’s Chanukah by the Sea.
As Sloane prepared to address a joyful crowd of over 20,000 attendees in Dover Heights, chaos erupted when gunfire rang out. “People were laughing and dancing… but then I saw the crowd start to run,” Sloane recounted. Instead of delivering her speech, she sprang into action, jumping into a Hatzolah ambulance alongside medic Rabbi Mendy Litzman, racing towards the danger.
The situation was dire. As the gunmen were still firing from a nearby bridge, Litzman parked the ambulance and dashed towards the scene. Sloane, meanwhile, encountered a young father and his son hiding under the bridge. “A man ran from the driver’s seat… and the woman inside was Sloane,” the father recalled, describing how she urged them to wait before signaling them to get into the car quickly.
In a heart-stopping moment, the father and son had walked directly into the gunmen’s line of fire while trying to escape. “We came face to face with the gunmen… they were setting up their shotguns,” he said. Fortunately, they managed to hide just in time, but not without hearing the chilling sound of gunfire above them.
Sloane described the chaos she witnessed as “haunting.” Speaking at the vigil, she expressed, “I stand before you as someone who saw the devastation… who witnessed the chaos and the distress.” She helped the injured, applying bandages and providing comfort as first responders rushed to the scene.
During her address, Sloane emphasized the power of community in the face of terror. “The outpouring of love has given me hope… together, we will find the light,” she stated, rallying the crowd with a message of resilience.
This harrowing experience has profoundly impacted the lives of those involved. The father, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed relief that his son had insisted on lighting their menorah at home instead of staying at the event. “It’s a decision that would save our lives,” he said, recounting how they narrowly escaped the gunmen.
As the community mourns and heals from this traumatic event, Sloane’s actions have resonated deeply, showcasing courage and compassion amid chaos. Authorities continue to investigate the attack as the Jewish community stands united, determined to overcome the fear that has gripped them in the aftermath.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The bravery displayed during this Chanukah event serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience within the community, even in the face of unimaginable terror.
