On December 9, 2025, several players from the Sydney Roosters rugby league team gathered with Rabbi Eli Schlanger and prominent figures from the Eastern Suburbs Jewish community. This meeting took place during the off-season, well before the commencement of the upcoming rugby season.
The Roosters, often perceived as a high-profile club representing some of Australia’s wealthiest neighborhoods, have occasionally been criticized for their lack of community engagement. However, on that day, players such as Hugo Savala, Cody Ramsay, and Billy Smith participated in a cultural experience at the Chabad of Bondi, where they shared kosher meals, learned about Jewish traditions, and explored the local beachfront and Bondi Pavilion.
Tragically, just days later, the community was shaken by a horrific mass shooting at Bondi Beach, which resulted in 15 fatalities, including Rabbi Schlanger. As the Roosters prepare for a grand final against Newcastle—viewed by many as the underdog—this incident has highlighted a deeper narrative regarding the club’s involvement and support for their community during such a trying time.
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, Rabbi Schlanger’s father-in-law, also welcomed the players at the Chabad of Bondi Synagogue. He noted that the players were eager to learn about the various meanings and symbols within Jewish culture. “They were genuinely curious and wanted to absorb everything they could,” Rabbi Ulman remarked to ABC Sport.
Joe Kelly, the CEO of the Roosters, was present during this enlightening visit and observed that the players formed an immediate bond with Rabbi Schlanger, a sentiment echoed by Rabbi Ulman. “Eli had a unique ability to connect with everyone,” he said.
According to Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the players made a lasting impression. “They were charming, engaged, and already had a strong understanding of the local Jewish community,” Ryvchin stated. “Their eagerness to learn about Jewish customs and traditions left a very positive impact on everyone they interacted with.”
During their time together, the players gained insight into the challenges faced by the Jewish community over the past year, particularly concerning a rise in antisemitic incidents. Ryvchin discussed the recent surge in violence and its effects, noting that while the players were concerned, it might not have fully registered with them at that point.
The tragic events that unfolded on December 14 resonated deeply with the Roosters, as they did with the entire nation. For those players who had shared a meal with Rabbi Schlanger just days earlier, the shock and sorrow were palpable. “The impact on those players and the larger club was profound,” Kelly remarked. “The fact that it occurred just five days later made it feel very close to home, and that sentiment was shared throughout the community and the country.”
Rabbi Ulman, who spoke at Rabbi Schlanger’s funeral held at the same synagogue that hosted the Roosters, empathized with the players’ grief. “When we witness something unjust in the world, it affects us deeply,” he explained. “But when it involves someone we know, the impact is even more profound. They had connected with Eli, and then just days later, they faced this tragedy.”
While the team was away on a training trip at the time of the attack, they quickly returned to Bondi Beach to pay their respects. In January, they held an open training session on the beach, further demonstrating their commitment to the community. Additionally, Summer, the sister of the youngest victim, Matilda, participated in the ceremonial coin toss and ball delivery at the Roosters’ first home game of the year.
Kelly emphasized that the organization made significant efforts to support the community in the aftermath of the tragedy, while Rabbi Ulman commended the players for their heartfelt response. “Their actions reflect their character; any good person would be profoundly affected by such an event,” he concluded.
