Young Bondi hero granted Key to the City

In a special sunset ceremony in Bondi Junction on February 3, Leibel Lazaroff – a 20-year-old rabbi from Texas who sustained gunshot wounds during the Bondi Beach Chanukah terror attack while coming to the aid of seriously injured NSW Police Constable Scott Dyson – was presented with a Key to the City by Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh.

Lazaroff had arrived in Sydney last September to learn from Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who tragically was one of 15 people murdered.

The young American rabbi since had multiple surgeries, and was only released from hospital on January 22, when just hours later, he inspirationally played the piano at the Natioanal Day of Mourning vigil inside a packed Sydney Opera House, lifting spirits.

He had aided Constable Dyson by using his own shirt to stem his bleeding.

At the Key to the City presentation, Lazaroff was joined by his parents Rabbi Yossi and Manya – who had travelled across the globe to be by his side during his treatments.

Other special guests included NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin, rabbis from Sydney’s Chabad community, and Waverley-based first responders and emergency services personnel.

When accepting the Key to the City, in recognition of his significant bravery and courage on December 14, Rabbi Lazaroff – who will soon return to the United States – humbly expressed gratefulness, and said he felt the entire city’s support and love, which he will never forget.

“When I woke up [from a coma in hospital], I’d heart about it [that support], and I saw it in the coming weeks.

“The unity and strength that the entire community – and the entire city – has shown has been incredible.

“Those spreading acts of goodness and kindness, spreading light, and doing good deeds in honour of those who passed, and for those who should have a full recovery, is truly an amazing thing to see, and it is not something you see everywhere, if anywhere at all.

“So I think it really represents my time here in Australia . . . I did feel it from the people, and even more after it [December 14].

“It’s really beautiful, and I think it’s something that’s permanent – it needs to continue, in a beautiful way.

“I just want to thank everyone for everything.”

At the presentation, his father recited a prayer, and said, “In bestowing this honour today, the City [of Waverley] affirms confidence in values embodied by Leibel – courage guided by conscious, resilience anchored in faith, and a commitment to light, even in difficult times”.

“It is a declaration that life, dignity, and goodness, will always prevail.”

Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh, after reading a beautiful mazal tov message for Rabbi Lazaroff on behalf of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Ulman from Chabad of Bondi – who are currently overseas – said, “The entire Waverley community is incredibly grateful to Rabbi Lazaroff, and these gestures we present to him today, symbolise that everlasting gratitude.

“Leibel, you will forever have a place within Waverley, as you personify bravery and selflessness in the truest forms.

“In the face of evil and immediate danger, you risked your own life, placing your own safety in peril, and as a result, suffered serious injuries.

“We pray for a timely and full recovery from your injuries, and wish you well for your return to the United States.

“And we offer you our sincerest sympathies for the loss of your mentor, the late Rabbi Eli Schlanger, whose life was among those tragically cut short.”

Governor Beazley described Rabbi Lazaroff as “a hero, and that’s not to be denied, and you shouldn’t deny it”.

“Every person there [at Bondi Beach to celebrate the first night of Chanukah] was a good person, and it was as though the two individuals [gunmen] wanted to destroy goodness.

“But goodness came to the surface – there were wonderful examples of goodness, and it will be ongoing.

“So as we honour Leibel tonight, we are honouring goodness, and the place where goodness comes from.

“And you’re going to take home not just the Key to the City, but the key to our hearts, because a city is really made of people.”

Governor Beazley also personally presented Rabbi Lazaroff with the NSW Government House’s official 2025 Christmas decoration.

“From my faith tradition to your faith tradition,” she added, when handing it to him, “remember that we were with you that night, and you will remain in our hearts.”

Waverley Council will later present fellow Bondi heroes Ahmed al-Ahmed and Gefen Bitton with a Key to the City each, as per a resolution unanimously passed at an extraordinary meeting last month.