Loved and Forever Remembered: Victims of the Antisemitic Bondi Beach Attack

Families, friends, and communities across Australia and beyond are remembering the victims of the antisemitic attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, where at least 15 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration. Police have declared the attack a terrorist incident, marking one of Australia’s deadliest mass shootings in nearly three decades.

The victims ranged in age from 10 to 87 and included children, grandparents, community leaders, and Holocaust survivors. Many were gathered for the “Chanukah by the Sea” event, a celebration meant to mark the Festival of Lights with family, faith, and unity.

Among those killed was Matilda, a 10-year-old girl described by loved ones as joyful and full of life, who was rushed to hospital after being wounded but did not survive. Her family shared memories of her kindness, love of learning, and the pride they felt raising her in Australia after emigrating from Ukraine.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a father of five and assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, was also killed. He was remembered as a devoted spiritual leader who worked tirelessly to support Jewish life in the community through education, chaplaincy, and outreach.

Alex Kleytman, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, died while shielding his wife from gunfire. His family said he survived the horrors of World War II only to be killed while celebrating his faith decades later in what he believed was a safe country.

Other victims included French national Dan Elkayam, a young IT engineer and avid footballer; Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, a beloved community organizer and father of four; philanthropist Reuven Morrison; former police detective and photographer Peter Meagher; and multiple grandparents remembered for their generosity, warmth, and dedication to family.

Several victims were praised for acts of bravery, including Boris and Sofia Gurman, who attempted to stop one of the attackers, and others who tried to shield loved ones or help people escape.

As tributes continue, families have asked that their loved ones be remembered for how they lived — not solely for the violence that took them. Vigils and memorials across Australia have highlighted calls for unity, remembrance, and a firm rejection of antisemitism and hate.

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