Ahmed Al-Ahmed has visited the resting place of two of the most influential Jewish leaders before he begins further treatment on his gunshot wounds overseas.
The Bondi terror hero flew to the United States on Tuesday following a two-week stint in a Sydney hospital where he underwent multiple surgeries after being shot five times.
The Syrian refugee, 43, was praised for his bravery, with videos of the moment he tackled the gunman making headlines around the world.
Hours after arriving in New York City, the Muslim father-of-two visited the Ohel Chabad Lubavitch in Queens.
The Jewish tomb is where Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson and his father-in-law Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn, the two most recent rebbes of the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty, are buried.
Photos posted online showed the Bondi hero praying alongside Jewish figures including Sydney-based Rabbi Yehoram Ulman and American Rabbi Sholom Dovber Duchman.
Al-Ahmed is seen wearing a kippah – a sign of reverence for God – and holding his arm, which was in a sling.
He is also due to attend the annual Colel Chabad awards gala dinner in the Big Apple on Wednesday night, a charity event where tickets cost $1,000 each.
Guests are set to get a “rare opportunity” to hear first-hand from the Syrian refugee about “what courage and moral clarity look like in real time”.
“We are honoured to welcome Rabbi Yehoram Ulman of Chabad of Bondi, together with Ahmed (Ahamad) al Ahmed, who intervened unarmed during the Chanukah Menorah lighting attack in Sydney, risking his own life to stop the attacker,” organisers said.
“Stand together, Jews and friends of the Jewish people, against hatred and terror, affirming that decent people do not stay silent.
“Draw strength from Rabbi Ulman, a major rabbinic leader who has guided his community through this tragedy and its aftermath with resilience, faith, and resolve.”
News.com.au has reached out to Jewish leaders in New York for a statement.
Fifteen people died during the Bondi Beach terror attack. Six victims remain in the hospital almost one month since the shooting.
‘Necessary’ treatment
The former tobacco shop owner was escorted at the gate by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officers when he arrived at the Los Angeles airport.
“On my way to start my treatment journey in the United States. I kindly ask everyone to keep me in their prayers. Thank you for your love and support,” he wrote to Instagram.
In a separate post, Al-Ahmed can be seen in Qantas business class, pointing to a screen showing his estimated arrival time to LA.
“It is a long journey, but a necessary one. We ask God for success and guidance,” it read.
He also shared a photo of himself with three FBI agents, thanking them for a “warm welcome, outstanding protection and genuine care”.
The US has some of the best trauma centers in the world, with specialist doctors having worked on hundreds of patients due to the high number of shootings each year.
Just days earlier, Al-Ahmed was given a standing ovation and a hero’s welcome at the Sydney Cricket Ground ahead of the fifth Ashes Test.
Australian and English cricket teams, officials and the sold-out crowd applauded the father-of-two as he, other hero bystanders and first responders were honored.
His heroism also saw him gifted $2.5 million that was donated from 43,000 people.
In an interview late last year, al-Ahmed said he “didn’t worry about anything” except for the lives he could potentially save.
“My target was just to take the gun from him, and to stop him from killing a human being’s life and not killing innocent people,” he told CBS News.
“I know I saved lots, but I feel sorry for the lost.”
The Sydney local recalled the moment he decided to tackle the gunman who was shooting indiscriminately at Jewish families celebrating day one of Hanukkah.
“I jumped in his back, hit him,” he said.
“I hold him with my right hand and start saying a word, you know, like to warn him, drop your gun, stop doing what you’re doing, and it’s come all in fast.
“And emotionally, I’m doing something, which is I feel something, a power in my body, my brain … I don’t want to see people killed in front of me, I don’t want to hear his gun, I don’t want to see people screaming and begging, asking for help, and that’s my soul asking me to do that.
“Everything in my heart, in my brain, everything, it’s worked just to manage to save the peoples’ life.”
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