At least 15 civilians died in the Bondi Beach shooting on Sunday during a peaceful Hanukkah celebration. Among the victims were a 10-year-old girl, two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, and devoted members of Sydney’s Jewish community. Authorities say this attack marks Australia’s worst anti-Jewish violence in decades.
One of the youngest victims was Matilda, a 10-year-old student at the Harmony Russian School of Sydney. Her family shared her name with local media. Irina Goodhew, her former teacher, described her as “a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her.” The school mourned her on Facebook, saying she “passed away in the hospital due to injuries from a gunshot.” Her aunt told ABC that Matilda’s sister, who stood beside her during the attack, is heartbroken. “They were like twins—they’ve never been separated,” she said.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41—known as the “Bondi Rabbi”—also died. He led the local Chabad mission and helped organise the Hanukkah event. His cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, confirmed his death on Instagram. Schlanger leaves behind a wife and five children, including a two-month-old baby. “He was the most godly, humane, kind, gracious human being I think I’ve ever met,” said Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
French national Dan Elkayam lost his life too. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the news, calling him a “compatriot” killed while celebrating with Jewish families. Elkayam worked as an IT analyst for NBCUniversal and moved to Australia last year. His football club, Rockdale Ilinden, called him “an extremely talented and popular figure” and “an integral member” of their premier league team.
Alexander Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor who fled Ukraine, died shielding his wife Larisa from gunfire. “He pushed his body toward me because he wanted to stay close,” she told reporters through tears. Chabad reported that he leaves behind two children and 11 grandchildren. In a 2023 interview with Jewish Care, the couple recounted surviving the Holocaust—Alexander in Siberia, where he struggled to survive with his mother and younger brother.
Former police officer Peter Meagher, known as “Marzo,” was photographing the event when gunfire struck. His rugby club, Randwick, said he served nearly 40 years in the NSW Police Force and earned deep respect from colleagues. “It was simply a tragic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the club wrote. They added it’s “hard to grasp” that he died in retirement doing what he loved—capturing moments of joy.
Reuven Morrison, who migrated from the Soviet Union in the 1970s, also perished. In a 2024 ABC interview, he said he chose Australia because he believed it was “the safest country in the world” for Jews. Chabad described him as a generous businessman who gave much of his income to charity—especially their Bondi centre.
Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, a well-known Chabad coordinator in Sydney and secretary of the Sydney Beth Din rabbinical court, was another confirmed victim. He also taught at the BINA Center for Jewish learning.
Tibor Weitzen, 78, attended the event with his wife and grandchildren. Chabad said he died protecting a family friend. His granddaughter Leor Amzalak told ABC he “only saw the best in people.” Weitzen moved to Australia from Israel in 1988 and became a “beloved” member of the Bondi Chabad Synagogue.
These Bondi Beach shooting victims span generations—from Holocaust survivors to young children—united by faith, family, and a moment of peace shattered by violence. Their deaths have shaken Australia deeply. As police pursue justice and citizens honour heroes like Ahmed al Ahmed, the nation mourns lives lost while lighting candles for hope, dignity, and unity.
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