At its 2026 annual gala, the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation (AJCF) presented American Airlines with its Medal of Valor Award in recognition of an extraordinary act of compassion and moral leadership following the December 2025 terrorist attack targeting a Chanukah celebration on Bondi Beach in Australia, which killed 15 people and injured approximately 40 others. Among those murdered was Chabad Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a husband, father of five and beloved Chabad-Lubavitch emissary.
The award honors American Airlines employees who worked across departments and continents to ensure that one of Schlanger’s childhood friends could travel from the United States to Sydney in time to attend the rabbi’s funeral, overcoming significant logistical obstacles and demonstrating extraordinary compassion during a moment of profound grief.
In the day following the attack, that friend departed Miami on American Airlines for Los Angeles, where he was scheduled to connect to Sydney on another carrier. When delays caused him to miss that flight, it appeared that he would be unable to reach Sydney in time for the funeral.
After learning of the passenger’s circumstances, American Airlines employees took action.
According to information confirmed by American Airlines, a crew coordinated with the passenger mid-flight via the captain and confirmed that the passenger would switch to American Airlines’ flight from Los Angeles to Sydney.
They then coordinated a change in arrival gates at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for the flight from Miami, and before landing, the crew moved him to a seat at the front of the aircraft. They held American Airlines’ flight to Sydney while coordinating a seamless transfer, including having him disembark the plane first, where American Airlines ground personnel at LAX brought him to the awaiting Sydney flight two gates over.
In the end, American Airlines opted to provide him a complimentary ticket. He arrived in Sydney in time to stand beside the family and say a final goodbye.
The recognition carries particular significance for AJCF, which has become a leading advocate for Jewish travelers facing antisemitic discrimination in commercial aviation. Over the past three years, the foundation has filed numerous complaints involving incidents of antisemitism and religious discrimination affecting airline passengers around the world. Those incidents have included discriminatory treatment directed at Jewish travelers, as well as reported instances involving the tampering of kosher meals and other forms of antisemitic conduct.
Against that backdrop, American Airlines’ actions stood out as an example of exceptional compassion, professionalism and leadership.
“At a moment when the Jewish community was mourning one of the most devastating antisemitic terrorist attacks in recent memory, American Airlines demonstrated what genuine humanity looks like,” said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation director general Jack Simony. “The employees who coordinated this effort, including Zak Rakrouki and Mohamad Najjar, showed extraordinary empathy and compassion during a moment of profound grief. Holding a flight to Sydney so a grieving friend could attend the funeral of his childhood friend was far more than exceptional customer service. It was an act of moral leadership that reflected a culture where operational excellence and human compassion go hand in hand.”
He stated that “we also recognize CEO Robert Isom, the leadership team and the more than 130,000 members of the American Airlines family. Acts like these begin with extraordinary individuals, but they are only possible in an organization that empowers people to do what is right when it matters most.
“At a time when many Jews feel compelled to conceal visible expressions of their identity while traveling because of rising antisemitism, this act of compassion resonates far beyond a single journey. It reminds Jewish communities around the world that, beyond the noise of social media and the rhetoric of hate, there remain friends, allies and people of conscience who choose humanity over indifference and stand with the Jewish people.”
Schlanger, a husband and father of five, was among 15 people shot and killed by two terrorists in the Dec. 14 attack on the first night of Chanukah. His death sent shockwaves throughout Jewish communities worldwide and transformed an evening intended to celebrate Jewish life into one of the darkest days in the history of modern-day Australia.
“I’m so proud of our team,” said Isom. “Caring for people on life’s journey isn’t just a motto; it’s about what we come to work to do every day. Zak and Mo embodied exactly what caring for people on life’s journey means. They were there, and ready and able to help at a time of greatest need.”
“Institutions are ultimately judged by the choices their people make,” said Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation chairman Simon Bergson. “When confronted with a grieving friend racing to attend the funeral of a victim of terror, American Airlines employees chose empathy over indifference and action over bureaucracy. Their decisions changed the outcome of a profoundly human moment.”
In honoring American Airlines, AJCF recognized not simply an extraordinary act of customer service, but a profound demonstration of moral leadership. At a moment of immense grief, ordinary employees made extraordinary choices, reminding us that compassion, courage and human dignity remain among the most powerful forces in public life.
