The woman killed in Saturday’s synagogue shooting was hailed a “Jewish hero” after it emerged she was hit while saving her rabbi’s life.
According to the New York Post, Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, died during the Passover celebration at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue near San Diego when gunman John T Earnest, 19, burst in and opened fire with “an AR-type weapon,” injuring three others, according to police and witnesses.
It has since emerged that Gilbert-Kaye dived in front of Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, 57, who was hit in his hands and believes the worshipper saved his life, according to reports.
The rabbi consoled the congregation even after being shot in the hand.
“Our rabbi … told everyone that she saved his life because she stood in front of him,” insisted Dr Ronit Lev, who called Gilbert-Kaye “my best friend in all the world,” according to the Jewish Press.
Unaware that his wife had been fatally wounded when she leapt in front of Rabbi Goldstein, saving his life, her physician-husband raced over to help victims of the bloodbath.
He started emergency CPR on Gilbert-Kaye — unaware she was his wife, family friend Dr Roneet Lev told The San Diego Union-Tribune.
The doctor fainted when he realised the victim was his spouse, Ms Lev said.
Another close friend, Audrey Jacobs, wrote a moving Facebook tribute praising her as a “jewel of our community” dedicated to good deeds and charity.
Read the article in Perth Now and the Gold Coast Bulletin.(from the New York Post).