The story of Reuven Morrison, 62, a member of the Chabad community in Australia, and one of the 15 murdered in yesterday’s terror attack in Sydney, may Hashem avenge their blood, is far greater than most people realize.

Publicized street camera footage from the moment of the attack shows that Reuven did not run from the shooters – he ran toward them to save lives. In the video, Reuven is seen approaching, carrying a stone in his hand, to distract and confront one of the terrorists. He managed to delay them for a few moments as the crowd escaped.

In an interview with CBS, Morrison’s daughter, Shaina Gutnick, highlighted this and said that her father “put himself in danger to protect others.”

Originally from the former Soviet Union, Reuven discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney after arriving as a teenager in the 1970s. He later settled in Melbourne with his wife, Leah, to provide educational opportunities for their daughter, Shaina, while remaining closely connected to Sydney through business and communal involvement.

In a piece written by Migdal Emek shliach Rabbi Dovid Kreitman, he wrote:

“Reuven was an ordinary person there. He was unarmed, without protection, and with no responsibility. But at the moment, he ran forward with empty hands to physically shield other Jews – women, children, and entire families.

“Every second he delayed them was a second in which other Jews were able to flee, hide, and survive. Tragically, the second attacker shot him. But through his actions, he saved dozens, perhaps hundreds, of Jews. He wasn’t just ‘killed in the attack,’ he literally gave his life for the sake of others.”