Bondi hero Ahmed al-Ahmed honoured with gold menorah by Jewish billionaire Bill Ackman

Presenting him with the gold menorah, inscribed with the words “light will win”, hedgefund manager Ackman was visibly moved.

'[Jews] are 0.2 per cent of the world. So seeing someone step forward on behalf of people he didn't know, to risk his own life, and the calculus of going after a guy with a gun,' he told those gathered.

“It's really one of the great acts of heroism, and I think it was very reaffirming to the Jewish community to have someone stand up on behalf of our community in the most profound, life‑affirming way.”

Explaining the meaning behind the gift, Ackman said: “The menorah represented endurance, represented courage, represented persistence and, most of all, represented life and light in the darkness. And this man deserved this.”

Al-Ahmed told reporters: "It felt like my duty as a human being, helping [keep] people safe … I’m looking at the world from the side of peace."

The injuries al-Ahmed sustained have resulted in the loss of some motion in his fingers. He said: “Honestly, there’s a pain. You know, my fingers … They’re not working, but it’ll be all right … I need time, you know, one, two months, that’s what the doctor say ... Hopefully everything will be good."

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for al-Ahmed and to "show support and gratitude" shows the largest donation comes from "William Ackman", who contributed $99,999 (£75,000), $1 (75 pence) less than the maximum donation the platform allows for individuals.

The total fund is nearing its $3 million (£2.3 million) target.

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman of Bondi Chabad, the father-in-law of one of the victims, British-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, travelled from Australia to the US alongside al-Ahmed and also spoke at the event.

He said: “Three weeks ago, we were struck by evil. It was the eve of Chanukah, a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

"We were preparing to light the menorah when two terrorists, father and son, opened fire on our gathering.

“Fifteen precious souls were stolen from us – men, women, and a ten-year-old child. The people are very, very close to my family, and of course, one of them was my beloved son-in-law.

“There is pain. Deep pain. Each life lost is an entire world taken from us. But I’m also here to tell you, the darkness will not win, will not lessen our holy work, even a moment.”

Before the event, Ulman and al-Ahmed prayed together in Queens, New York City, at the holy site of the Ohel – resting place of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M Schneerson.

Ulman told Chabad News: “Ahmed did what he did that day because he believed that God placed him at the scene for a reason, and that’s what gave him the strength to save lives.

“This is something people from all walks of life can and must learn from.”