Rabbi Eli Schlanger entered my life when I was barely alive. His murder has forced me to confront faith, evil, and what it means to carry his light forward.
Beautiful and touching. Thank you for writing and posting this, Nikki.
I've circulated it to my mailing list (of about 90). As I noted in my intro: "For those who haven’t had the experience: I have found that Chabad rabbis (and their wives) are consistently upbeat, caring, warm, enthusiastic, non-judgmental, encouraging and passionate in their love for all Jews and in their wish to make the world a better place by bringing Jews back to traditional Jewish life. I didn’t know Rabbi Eli Schlanger, but the description of him below would fit many Chabad rabbis. (Though I’ve never heard of one blowing shofar in an ICU before.)"
May you continue to carry Rabbi Schlanger's light in the world through acts of kindness, and by speaking up and taking action on behalf of our people.
David, thank you for your beautiful words. The whole Chabad world astonishes me. His beautiful wife and loving family are not filled with hate - to the contrary, they show me what love and light look like every day. They’re amazing, humble, kind and loving people. Rabbi Eli Schlanger was the best of men.
This is how so many Jews approach life along with their fellow Jews and Gentiles. They continue to show love to all and sometimes face the evil in this world. There is so much secular society and Christians can learn from Jews that I as a Christian Zionist have taken this step in learning and loving the Jewish nation religious or secular. I love the statement when the Rabbi said your a Jew whether practicing the faith or not they still have the spark within and are still chosen by G-d.
I don't have many friends however the few friends I have are Jewish and are always there to share and show compassion and love in the darkest of times and when life is good. My friend is Orthodox and we worked together for 24 years and to this day our friendship is the strongest. We all need to stand with Israel and the Jewish nation whether they currently live in Israel or are still diaspora Jews.
I stand beside all Jews as we all should.
Glory to Hashem 🙏🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱 the living and eternal G-d of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 🙏🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱
Thank you so much. Rabbi Eli’s family and community never cease to amaze me. They’re so filled with love and light… not hate, despite the tragedy. I learn from them every day. I hope the rest of the world will read the book and learn from them too.
All the feels, Nikki! There is something ancient that stirs the soul when hearing the shofar blow. Doesn't matter when or where. I think for me it doesn't come from just hearing it in the synagogue on the very few days or even the one day I go, usually during High Holidays. It comes from childhood watching The Ten Commandments, which I am compelled to watch each year even when the American station that shows it puts it out on the wrong dates, because it is part of our origin story. Secular or religious, it's the one piece of our collective Jewish history that shows our determination to be Jews - Hebrews - and to never stop being proud of our amazing people. Listening to Joshua sound the shofar, calling all the Tribes to gather never fails. May Rabbi Eli's memory always be for a blessing and your personal gift. And also the memories of the other 9 who were martyred at that sacred and joyous moment. May they rot in jail, never to see freedom again.
Suri I loved that movie as a kid too. You’ve prompted me to re-watch it. I love hearing shofar stories too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about what it means to you and to us as a people. When you hear its tones, it awakens and ignites something mystical and powerful within our souls.
Definitely. I'm Secular/Reform but there are certain parts of our faith that I can't not do - the Seder at Pesach and not eating certain foods, apples and honey on Rosh Hashana and lighting the Hanukkiah for the 8 days. My parents were never religious, we didn't belong to a shul but I loved our family dinners with everyone and sadly, all the elders are gone and the next generation is not as inclined to do those big huge dinners anymore. We do plan on rejoining the shul that we have a connection to in so many ways (we were blessed to be married by the same Rabbi as my parents were in 1963 when we married in 1994!!). I loved what Rabbi Eli z"l said to you that you are a Jew, no matter what the level of observance. Wear that Magen David proudly every day - I wear 2! Be a Maccabee and show anyone who gives you side eye that you are proud of your heritage. We seem to be the only faith who consistently gets shit on for being who we are loudly and proudly.
Nikki, I know how easy it is to look to a person God has used in your life, but I encourage you to look to God Himself. He longs for you to know and love Him! The entire history of the Jewish people is His story, revealing who He is through His interactions with His people called to be set apart for His good purpose.
As far as how to process the evil acts, such as the one that took the life of your dear rabbi, I have found the Book of Job to be helpful. Job experiences unthinkable trials. His friends end up accusing him rather than comforting him. But something surprising happens to Job at the end of the trials (Job 42:1-6), and he chooses to pray for those who wronged him. I encourage you to read this account of God’s interactions with this righteous man. It’s not an easy read, but a rewarding one.
Dee thank you for your beautiful words. I will, on your recommendation, read Job and hopefully gain some comfort from it. Actually, writing helps me a lot, so thank you for reading. Much appreciated. xx
It is no coincidence that Rabbi Eli entered your life. His memory is indeed a blessing here on the page. Beautiful story. Thank you Josh for posting here and thank you Nikki for sharing. 🙏🏻
Thank you for your kind words! I agree, no accidents here, Eli was Divinely guided to my life. And he “chose” me for the mission to spread the word about the book and his teachings. It’s a big mission, but a worthy one.
Kelleigh, it’s a terrible loss to his wife, his children, his family and his community. I thank God we had those conversations and his legacy is now the words he left for our book. The book is allowing his light to shine on.
Amen Nikki and bless you for telling the story. Your health was a miracle recovery because a man of G-d came to your rescue. Yes, so many losses like this and so tragic for the families...especially those IDF soldiers too. Our hearts break!
Kelleigh the world is a dangerous place. Life is fatal. We can’t know God’s plan. I’m trying to do as Eli did, and accept that everything is how it’s meant to be. I grieve for every life lost. And feel incredibly blessed and grateful for a second chance. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Inspiring essay. One aspect not covered in addition to revenge or punishment of the terrorists who slaughtered Rabbi Schlanger and 14 others, but in my view much more important, is Protect. By eliminating the terrorists who commiited these murders, or any terrorists or killers for that matter, we Protect others from harm the terrorists might cause if left alive or left free. Protecting others from the type of harm caused by the terrorists/criminals is much more important than revenge or punishment. These aspects are also important, but less so than Protect.
The best way to protect others from harm caused by terrorists/murderers is to execute those who would commit such acts. This makes it impossible for them to commit such acts again. Imprisonment works to an extent, but not as well. Prisoners can escape, get pardoned, get set free for one reason or another, or even kill again while imprisoned. They can kill other prisoners, or kill prison guards and those who work in prisons.
Steve, I agree, we have a duty to protect members of our society from harm. In my book Rabbi Ulman and I go into this issue in greater depth. Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful comment.
Nikki, a beautifully worded article .. thank you .. two awful experiences, with two uplifting wonders .. your coma, Rabbi Eli’s (z’l) murder, your awakening & rejuvenation of your Judaism. May you continue with good health and enjoy the wonder of Judaism, and may Eli’s (z’l’ memory always be a blessing.
Nathan, Eli always said there are two ways to God - the first is through joy, the second is through pain, and most people arrive through pain. What's happened to me, since the coma, and the wake of Bondi, is that I have a keen sense of my mission - which is to spread Eli's light and love. Thank you for your kind words of support. Much appreciated.
Beautiful and so very touching. When I hear the shofar at shul for Yom Kippur it will have a new and different meaning. What is the name of your book? Yashar Koach for all you are doing and continue to do in Rabbi Eli’s z’l Memory. 💔
Beautiful and touching. Thank you for writing and posting this, Nikki.
I've circulated it to my mailing list (of about 90). As I noted in my intro: "For those who haven’t had the experience: I have found that Chabad rabbis (and their wives) are consistently upbeat, caring, warm, enthusiastic, non-judgmental, encouraging and passionate in their love for all Jews and in their wish to make the world a better place by bringing Jews back to traditional Jewish life. I didn’t know Rabbi Eli Schlanger, but the description of him below would fit many Chabad rabbis. (Though I’ve never heard of one blowing shofar in an ICU before.)"
May you continue to carry Rabbi Schlanger's light in the world through acts of kindness, and by speaking up and taking action on behalf of our people.
David, thank you for your beautiful words. The whole Chabad world astonishes me. His beautiful wife and loving family are not filled with hate - to the contrary, they show me what love and light look like every day. They’re amazing, humble, kind and loving people. Rabbi Eli Schlanger was the best of men.
This is how so many Jews approach life along with their fellow Jews and Gentiles. They continue to show love to all and sometimes face the evil in this world. There is so much secular society and Christians can learn from Jews that I as a Christian Zionist have taken this step in learning and loving the Jewish nation religious or secular. I love the statement when the Rabbi said your a Jew whether practicing the faith or not they still have the spark within and are still chosen by G-d.
I don't have many friends however the few friends I have are Jewish and are always there to share and show compassion and love in the darkest of times and when life is good. My friend is Orthodox and we worked together for 24 years and to this day our friendship is the strongest. We all need to stand with Israel and the Jewish nation whether they currently live in Israel or are still diaspora Jews.
I stand beside all Jews as we all should.
Glory to Hashem 🙏🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱 the living and eternal G-d of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. 🙏🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱
Thank you so much. Rabbi Eli’s family and community never cease to amaze me. They’re so filled with love and light… not hate, despite the tragedy. I learn from them every day. I hope the rest of the world will read the book and learn from them too.
As long as he is part of your life, he is, in some special way, still alive....
Thank you Chaim, I still feel very much connected to him. And his legacy to me personally is my faith… and to the world it’s our book.
Thank you putting so much of the feelings, thoughts and beliefs, into words
Margaret thank you so much for your beautiful feedback. So appreciate you taking the time to comment.
All the feels, Nikki! There is something ancient that stirs the soul when hearing the shofar blow. Doesn't matter when or where. I think for me it doesn't come from just hearing it in the synagogue on the very few days or even the one day I go, usually during High Holidays. It comes from childhood watching The Ten Commandments, which I am compelled to watch each year even when the American station that shows it puts it out on the wrong dates, because it is part of our origin story. Secular or religious, it's the one piece of our collective Jewish history that shows our determination to be Jews - Hebrews - and to never stop being proud of our amazing people. Listening to Joshua sound the shofar, calling all the Tribes to gather never fails. May Rabbi Eli's memory always be for a blessing and your personal gift. And also the memories of the other 9 who were martyred at that sacred and joyous moment. May they rot in jail, never to see freedom again.
Have a blessed life...
Suri I loved that movie as a kid too. You’ve prompted me to re-watch it. I love hearing shofar stories too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about what it means to you and to us as a people. When you hear its tones, it awakens and ignites something mystical and powerful within our souls.
Definitely. I'm Secular/Reform but there are certain parts of our faith that I can't not do - the Seder at Pesach and not eating certain foods, apples and honey on Rosh Hashana and lighting the Hanukkiah for the 8 days. My parents were never religious, we didn't belong to a shul but I loved our family dinners with everyone and sadly, all the elders are gone and the next generation is not as inclined to do those big huge dinners anymore. We do plan on rejoining the shul that we have a connection to in so many ways (we were blessed to be married by the same Rabbi as my parents were in 1963 when we married in 1994!!). I loved what Rabbi Eli z"l said to you that you are a Jew, no matter what the level of observance. Wear that Magen David proudly every day - I wear 2! Be a Maccabee and show anyone who gives you side eye that you are proud of your heritage. We seem to be the only faith who consistently gets shit on for being who we are loudly and proudly.
Suri, we must be the same age! My parents married in 1963 and I got married in 1994! Snap.
Nikki, I know how easy it is to look to a person God has used in your life, but I encourage you to look to God Himself. He longs for you to know and love Him! The entire history of the Jewish people is His story, revealing who He is through His interactions with His people called to be set apart for His good purpose.
As far as how to process the evil acts, such as the one that took the life of your dear rabbi, I have found the Book of Job to be helpful. Job experiences unthinkable trials. His friends end up accusing him rather than comforting him. But something surprising happens to Job at the end of the trials (Job 42:1-6), and he chooses to pray for those who wronged him. I encourage you to read this account of God’s interactions with this righteous man. It’s not an easy read, but a rewarding one.
Shalom!
Dee thank you for your beautiful words. I will, on your recommendation, read Job and hopefully gain some comfort from it. Actually, writing helps me a lot, so thank you for reading. Much appreciated. xx
What a beautiful tribute!
Thank you so much Bonnie! Appreciate your kind words.
It is no coincidence that Rabbi Eli entered your life. His memory is indeed a blessing here on the page. Beautiful story. Thank you Josh for posting here and thank you Nikki for sharing. 🙏🏻
Thank you for your kind words! I agree, no accidents here, Eli was Divinely guided to my life. And he “chose” me for the mission to spread the word about the book and his teachings. It’s a big mission, but a worthy one.
Beautiful! Sad loss for a life cut short so quickly, but a powerful testimony of faith and love.
Kelleigh, it’s a terrible loss to his wife, his children, his family and his community. I thank God we had those conversations and his legacy is now the words he left for our book. The book is allowing his light to shine on.
Amen Nikki and bless you for telling the story. Your health was a miracle recovery because a man of G-d came to your rescue. Yes, so many losses like this and so tragic for the families...especially those IDF soldiers too. Our hearts break!
Kelleigh the world is a dangerous place. Life is fatal. We can’t know God’s plan. I’m trying to do as Eli did, and accept that everything is how it’s meant to be. I grieve for every life lost. And feel incredibly blessed and grateful for a second chance. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Inspiring essay. One aspect not covered in addition to revenge or punishment of the terrorists who slaughtered Rabbi Schlanger and 14 others, but in my view much more important, is Protect. By eliminating the terrorists who commiited these murders, or any terrorists or killers for that matter, we Protect others from harm the terrorists might cause if left alive or left free. Protecting others from the type of harm caused by the terrorists/criminals is much more important than revenge or punishment. These aspects are also important, but less so than Protect.
The best way to protect others from harm caused by terrorists/murderers is to execute those who would commit such acts. This makes it impossible for them to commit such acts again. Imprisonment works to an extent, but not as well. Prisoners can escape, get pardoned, get set free for one reason or another, or even kill again while imprisoned. They can kill other prisoners, or kill prison guards and those who work in prisons.
Steve, I agree, we have a duty to protect members of our society from harm. In my book Rabbi Ulman and I go into this issue in greater depth. Thank you for your detailed and thoughtful comment.
Nikki, a beautifully worded article .. thank you .. two awful experiences, with two uplifting wonders .. your coma, Rabbi Eli’s (z’l) murder, your awakening & rejuvenation of your Judaism. May you continue with good health and enjoy the wonder of Judaism, and may Eli’s (z’l’ memory always be a blessing.
Nathan, Eli always said there are two ways to God - the first is through joy, the second is through pain, and most people arrive through pain. What's happened to me, since the coma, and the wake of Bondi, is that I have a keen sense of my mission - which is to spread Eli's light and love. Thank you for your kind words of support. Much appreciated.
BD"E
Beautiful and so very touching. When I hear the shofar at shul for Yom Kippur it will have a new and different meaning. What is the name of your book? Yashar Koach for all you are doing and continue to do in Rabbi Eli’s z’l Memory. 💔
Ann the book is called "Conversations With My Rabbi" published by HarperCollins. Thank you for your lovely words and support. https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-My-Rabbi-Teachings-Fractured/dp/0063573105/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37Z7E7HYUOVBD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rLMIYP893J5ZeYvib9w4caNqkDxtsR0CiX9tO4uCjVUdVS0VtwtxbnddjlWBw_BoEBdQVsTfGd19A71QmkXLH5Vvk0re7Omw3z8AL9nTaCGREUBtMDfk4_ffbWYzkBBE.k73MC_TVai4fPWKKExzQZ3AwrmLD4IBbGg6sffocy4I&dib_tag=se&keywords=Conversations+With+My+Rabbi&qid=1789938163&sprefix=conversations+with+my+rabbi%2Caps%2C341&sr=8-1