Roosters met with Rabbi Eli Schlanger days before Bondi attack
Five days before one of Australia's darkest days, a group of Sydney Roosters players visited a Bondi synagogue. What happened next would change the meaning of that meeting forever.
On December 9, 2025, Sydney Roosters players met with Rabbi Eli Schlanger and other leaders in the Eastern Suburbs Jewish community. The rugby league club, often seen as well-oiled despite lacking deep community ties, was in the off-season months away from playing. The players, including Hugo Savala, Cody Ramsay and Billy Smith, participated in Jewish customs, ate kosher food, and walked along the Bondi Pavilion beachfront.
Days later, a devastating terror attack occurred at Bondi Beach, where one of the 15 victims was Rabbi Schlanger himself.
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Rabbi Schlanger's father-in-law, and Roosters CEO Joe Kelly met with the players at the Chabad of Bondi Synagogue. They explained the different meanings and symbolisms, and Rabbi Ulman recalled that the players were very curious and interested in understanding. Roosters CEO Joe Kelly noted that the players took an immediate liking to Rabbi Schlanger, a person who could connect with anyone.
Rabbi Ulman emphasized that the Roosters players, including their engagement and thirst for knowledge about Jewish customs, left a positive impression on everyone they met.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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