A peaceful Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's famous Bondi Beach turned into a scene of horror on Sunday evening, as a terrorist attack claimed the lives of 15 people. The victims, whose lives were brutally cut short, ranged from a 10-year-old girl described as having a gentle soul to an 87-year-old grandfather who had survived the Holocaust. Australian federal police have stated the attack was inspired by the Islamic State group.
Remembering the Lives Lost
The attack has left a deep wound in the heart of Sydney's Jewish community and the nation. Among those killed were pillars of the community, volunteers, and innocent bystanders, each with a unique story.
The Youngest Victim and a Community Pillar
The youngest victim was 10-year-old Matilda, whose family has asked for her surname to be withheld. Her language teacher, Irina Goodhew, described her as a "bright and loving soul" who saw beauty in everyone. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support her grieving family.
Eli Schlanger, the 41-year-old assistant rabbi who organised the 'Chanukah by the Sea' event, was also killed. A father of five, including a two-month-old baby, Schlanger was a chaplain for the state's corrective services and a local hospital. A friend, Ben Wright, called him a "very special person" who spent his time encouraging others to perform good deeds.
Another rabbi, 39-year-old Yaakov Levitan, was a father of four known for his kindness and was described as a vital pillar of Sydney's Jewish community. He served as the general manager of Chabad of Bondi.
Acts of Kindness and Heroism
The attack also took the life of 82-year-old Marika Pogany, a grandmother and dedicated volunteer who delivered thousands of kosher meals to those in need. A Sydney seniors service described her as the "beating heart" of their organisation, a woman who "asked for nothing and gave everything."
In a moment of extraordinary bravery, 62-year-old Reuven Morrison was killed while trying to stop one of the gunmen. His daughter, Sheina Gutnick, said he was seen on video throwing bricks at the attacker after another bystander had wrestled a gun away. Morrison had moved to Australia from the Soviet Union decades ago to escape antisemitic persecution.
87-year-old Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine, died while trying to protect his wife, Larisa. She told reporters he pushed his body close to hers as the shooting began. The couple had moved to Australia seeking safety after surviving the horrors of the Holocaust as children.
A Talented Footballer and a Rugby Club 'Legend'
Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French national, was remembered by his brother as a "golden person" and an extraordinary, kind individual who loved to travel. A talented footballer for Sydney club Rockdale Ilinden FC, he was warmly embraced by all who met him.
Peter Meagher, known as "Marzo," was a retired police officer and a beloved volunteer at Randwick rugby club, which called him an "absolute legend." He was working as a freelance photographer at the event, with the club stating his death was a catastrophic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Other victims included 78-year-old grandfather Tibor Weitzen, who had migrated from Israel and was described by his granddaughter as being filled with immense pride for his family.
A Nation in Mourning
The Bondi Beach attack has sent shockwaves through Australia and the international community. It stands as a stark and tragic reminder of the deadly consequences of antisemitic hatred and terrorism. As families grieve and a community seeks to heal, the stories of those lost—their kindness, their service, and their courage—will be the legacy that endures.
