College Station family joins Governor Abbott at the Texas Capitol Menorah Lighting

AUSTIN, Texas (KBTX) – The family of a College Station Rabbi shot during the terrorist attack in Australia joined Governor Greg Abbott at the Texas Capitol Menorah Lighting Ceremony Thursday, carrying a message of resilience in the face of antisemitic violence.

Rabbi Leibel Lazaroff, 20, remains hospitalized in Australia after being shot multiple times during Sunday’s terrorist attack in Sydney. He was wounded while staying behind to help a critically injured police officer instead of fleeing.

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His brother, Rabbi Menachem Lazaroff, stood alongside Abbott and his siblings at the ceremony, which marked the 11th year the Jewish community has joined the governor in lighting The Menorah.

The reception room was packed, but the weight of the antisemitic attack from less than a week ago hung heavy over attendees.

“In this time when we celebrate the brightness of light and what it means to bring things out of shadows, we also have had seared into our minds what just happened in Australia,” Abbott said.

For the Lazaroff family, the ceremony provided a platform to share the message that has guided them through the past week.

“One thing I can do is to add more light in my life. I can’t fix the world, but I can fix myself,” Menachem Lazaroff said.

The family said Leibel’s actions during the attack exemplified their commitment to helping others. As he continues his recovery in Australia, his siblings are working to bring their message of hope to local communities.

“Get out more light in our local communities and through that we get out more light across the world,” Menachem Lazaroff said.

The Lazaroff family says they are thankful for the continuous support they have received as their brother faces a long road to recovery.

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