Remembering a soccer player with a heart of gold
Dan Elkayam, murdered in the Bondi Beach terror attack, was remembered today for his warmth and kindness.
With Dan Elkayam’s dearest friends, communal leaders and rabbanim present, and his family watching on via live stream from France and also Israel – where his body arrived for burial – one minute’s silence was held in his memory, as a replacement for a procession, at the end of a moving service at the Sydney Chevra Kadisha today.
The Jewish 27-year-old French citizen – who was one of 15 people murdered by two terrorists at the Chanukah at the Sea event on December 14 – was remembered for his spirit, kindness, generosity.
He had been living in Sydney for one year, where he worked as an engineer for NBC Universal, played NSW Premier League division one football for Rockale Ilinden FC, and at any opportunity, would play football on the grassy reserve at Bondi Beach with his Jewish and non-Jewish friends.
Speaking at the service, holding back tears of sorrow, was one of Elkayam’s closest friends in Sydney, Jesse Singer, who said that Dan loved playing football, travelling the world, and experiencing new places, and that he was also a proud Jew, who kept kosher, observed Shabbat, and celebrated the chaggim.
“I will always carry with me his message: To live life to the fullest, and to stay true to yourself,” he said.
“Dan was always joyful and positive, and you could feel that energy in any room he entered.
“He cared deeply about his friends and his family and he’d do anything for them.
“We played football on the beach for hours with a group of friends, and then went to celebrate Chanukah at Bondi Beach – two things Dan truly lived for, his love of football, and his love of Judaism.”
Members from Sydney’s football community, including Hakoah FC, were present at the service.
Rabbi Chaim Koncepolski, delivering the eulogy, described Elkayam as “a kind and moral soul, who was beloved by everyone who knew him, and his murder has devastated us all.
“Dan has now joined an elite group of people, referred to in Jewish tradition as a kadosh – a holy martyr – who was killed simply for being Jewish.
“And he is now in the highest place in heaven, in Hashem’s presence, together with all the righteous people in our history.”
Rabbi Koncepolski, in a message on the live stream to Elkayam’s mother Annie, his father Arieh, his brothers, and his extended family overseas – said “You should know that you are not alone – the entire [people of] Sydney, and people all around the world, are grieving with you.
“We’re with you in your pain and agony, sending our love to you, and to the entire family, in this very difficult time.
“We all loved Dan dearly, and we will not allow his memory and legacy to disappear. We’re going to do so much good in his honour.”
Rabbi Koncepolski recalled a toast made after last night’s “Light over Darkness” vigil at Bondi Beach, at a private young adult function in Dover Heights, by a 23-year-old, who made a point of sharing the story of when he had tackled Elkayam very strongly in a football match, and that Elkayam’s reaction, was “to get up, and lift me up and give me a big hug”.
The young man had said he had been blown away by that response, and had not seen it in football before.
On that, Rabbi Koncepolski said, “And I think anyone who knew Dan could instantly feel that incredibly humble and loving attitude that he had.
“Dan, you touched us all with your warmth, your kindness, and your beautiful energy.
“In recent weeks,” he added, “Dan got even more involved in Jewishkeit and the community. And for some reason Dan, Hashem wanted you by his side.
“We don’t understand why, and we are left with deep pain, but we do know that it means that you were very special – a holy soul.
“I also want to send a message from here, to the evil forces who took down his life, and to those who supported them – you have no idea what you have done.
“You have unleashed a strength and vibrancy of Jewish people in Australia, and around the world, that has never been in the history of this country, and in the history of the world.
“We are hurt, but we are not broken.
“We’re going to be so connected to our faith and our beliefs, more than ever before. We’re going to support Israel, and do more mitzvot, than ever before.
I have never in my life seen Australian Jewry so united, so inspired, so connected to Jewish tradition, and so impactful on the general Australian society, with our message of light over darkness, and love over hate.
“All this . . . is inspired by our martyrs, including Dan.
“Out of this terrible tragedy has emerged a tremendous light.”
Before reciting a memorial prayer, Coogee Synagogue’s chazan Noah Koncepolski recalled how Elkayam, on the morning of the terror attack, had come in and asked for not one, but two personal packages to use to celebrate the chag.
And when he’d asked him why two, Elkayam had replied it was because he wanted to share the experience of celebrating Chanukah with Krystal, his non-Jewish girlfriend.
A message was also provided from Elkayam’s family in France:
“Dan was playing football, celebrating the holiday [Chanukah], and enjoying a sunny day at the beach.
“During a mass shooting, Dan was shot in the back.
“He was murdered because he was Jewish.
“He leaves behind his partner in Australia, as well as his parents, brothers, nieces, and nephews in Paris, France, where he was born and raised.
“He was deeply proud of his community back home in Le Bourget.”
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