The world just learned about Reuven Morrison, a hero who placed himself in the line of fire to save others at the Sydney massacre.
But to me and to my friends, he was and will always be “Papa Morrison.”
Born in the USSR, at a time when being Jewish caused him to be the victim of bullying and hatred from his peers, Reuven fled to Sydney, Australia, as a young adult, where he reconnected to Judaism and met his beautiful wife, Leah.
Reuven and Leah were blessed with one daughter, my dear friend Sheina, who was born after many years of praying and waiting, shortly after Reuven and Leah received a blessing from the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Sheina was the center of Reuven’s universe, and he extended that love to Sheina’s many close friends, who lovingly called him “Papa Morrison.”
Reuven doted on us friends as he did Sheina, making us laugh with his hysterical antics and spoiling us like we were his own daughters. Reuven and Leah would often thank us for coming over so often and filling up their house, which we would laugh at: Who wouldn't want to hang out at the funnest house on the block where you were treated like royalty?
There are countless stories that show Reuven’s humor, his quick wit, and the way he infused positivity into every situation. One that comes to mind is when Reuven and Leah brought Sheina and a few other friends on a boat trip to celebrate our high school graduation (another example of how he spoiled Sheina’s friends like we were his own daughters). While swimming in a Sydney lake, Sheina was bitten by a jellyfish. We all panicked. Sydney is known for its venomous bluebottle jellyfish, and we didn't know what to do. Reuven knew we were anxious, and he immediately turned the situation into a comedy show, dancing around the boat deck pretending to scold the jellyfish, giving first aid to Sheina while putting on silly voices, leaving us in fits of giggles and turning a scary incident into a delightful and joyful memory.
To sum up Reuven in a few words seems impossible.
But one word that keeps coming to mind is LIFE. Reuven was LIFE. It came through in the way his home was always bursting with joy and laughter, and in the way he would dance and sing with his beloved granddaughters, who he adored infinitely, and who adored him back. It shone through the vibrant, strong presence he had in the Melbourne and Sydney Jewish communities, which he supported endlessly in the most humble and unassuming manner.
And, it showed in the way he stood up for life in the face of pure terror.
When the horrific shooting began, and Reuven saw that the people around him were in imminent danger, he, in his daughter Sheina’s words, “sprang to action … he put others before himself.”
Reuven stood directly in the line of fire, to distract the terrorists and try to disarm them. That was who Reuven was. We joked sourly that he must have yelled profanities at the terrorists while throwing bricks at them, not caring that he was putting himself in danger, only caring that he was protecting others.
When someone so full of life, so full of vibrancy and energy, is snatched away in such a brutal manner, it is unfathomable to think about them no longer being here. But we are taught “Ve’hachai yiten el libo,” “the living shall take to heart.” Bravery and heroism is standing in the line of fire to protect others. Bravery is also standing proudly as Jews, without hiding, without shame. Bravery is fighting to bring light and even joy into the darkest moments. Remember Reuven, our dear beloved “Papa Morrison,” for his bravery, and honor his memory by being a proud Jew, standing firm in who you are.
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