DR. MARC SIEGEL: 'THE ANGELS AMONG US' -- A dying woman, the shofar and the miracle that followed
Shofar Sound Triggers Miracle, Then Tragic Loss in Sydney
A ritual horn used by Jewish communities for millennia was said to play a role in a near‑fatal illness in Sydney and later in an antisemitic shooting that claimed the life of a beloved local rabbi. The events, spanning from September 2022 to December 2025, drew international attention to both the power of faith and the dangers of hate.
The Shofar and Its Significance
A shofar is made from a ram’s horn that is hollowed and tuned to be blown like a trumpet. It is traditionally used in Jewish religious practice to signify God’s majesty, call people to repentance, and symbolize healing and redemption. The instrument is blown during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, as a spiritual wake‑up call and a symbolic end to the day‑long fast.
The Story of Nikki Goldstein
Nikki Goldstein, a 57‑year‑old journalist residing in Sydney, had been battling chronic lung disease and an autoimmune condition for years. In early September 2022, her condition worsened dramatically. A chest CT scan revealed extensive lung scarring and an acute infection. Doctors placed her on a ventilator and, facing a grim prognosis, put her on the emergency lung‑transplant list. She slipped into a coma.
Her husband, Rowan, who is not Jewish, and their daughter were with her in the hospital. While the family prayed, a rabbi—later identified as Rabbi Eli Schlanger, an assistant rabbi at the Chabad synagogue in Bondi Beach—arrived at the bedside. “My wife would love it if you could say some prayers. This is going to be her last day on earth,” Rowan told the rabbi. The rabbi recited prayers for her health and then, after pulling out a shofar from his jacket, asked for permission to blow it over Goldstein. Rowan replied, “I cannot think of a single thing she would want more.” The shofar was blown loudly.
Twenty‑four hours later, medical staff noted improvement. Goldstein’s chest X‑ray showed a retreating “whiteout,” and she was awakened from her coma. Her lungs began to respond to treatment, marking what many described as a medical miracle. Goldstein later co‑authored a book with Rabbi Schlanger, titled Conversations With My Rabbi.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger’s Tragic Death
On December 14, 2025, a hot summer day in Sydney, a Hanukkah celebration at Archer Park in Bondi Beach drew over 1,000 attendees for the first night of the Festival of Lights. As the menorah was to be lit, two gunmen opened fire in an antisemitic terrorist attack. Witnesses recalled the gunmen pausing to reload.
Rabbi Schlanger—father of five, including a two‑month‑old baby—raised his hands and confronted the assailants, shouting, “Please stop! No more! There has to be another way.” One gunman fired; Schlanger was struck and killed. His wife, Chyale, was grazed by a bullet in her back, and their infant son sustained shrapnel to his leg. Both survived the attack.
Aftermath and Legacy
The shooting prompted a nationwide conversation about antisemitic violence. Rabbi Schlanger’s death was mourned by the Australian Jewish community and beyond. Meanwhile, Goldstein’s recovery continued to be cited by medical professionals and religious leaders as an example of how faith practices may intersect with healing.
In 2026, Dr. Marc Siegel, a physician known for his writings on faith and medicine, published The Angels Among Us, in which he recounts the shofar’s role in Goldstein’s recovery. Though unrelated to the recent attack, the book highlights the enduring cultural significance of the instrument.
The story underscores both the profound faith traditions surrounding the shofar and the ongoing threat of hate‑based violence. It serves as a reminder of the resilience of individuals and communities in the face of adversity.