Fifteen people, including a 10‑year‑old, a Holocaust survivor, and a 27‑year‑old French citizen, were killed in a gun attack on a Bondi Beach Hanukkah event, leaving 40 wounded.
Overview
Two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach Sunday, killing 15 people aged 10 to 87 and wounding at least 40. The attack was described by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as an act of terrorism.
Victims
Matilda Britvan
Lina Chernykh told Channel 9 that her niece was “a happy kid,” and that their heartbroken family would never recover from their loss. She added, “Everywhere she goes, she was like a sun.” Channel 9 reported that Matilda and her 6‑year‑old sister Summer were enjoying the celebrations when gunshots rang out, and Matilda was fatally shot in front of her sister.
Alex Kleytman
Larisa Kleytman confirmed her husband’s death to The Australian, saying she heard loud “boom” sounds before seeing him fall to the ground. She added, “He came on Bondi Beach to celebrate Hanukkah, for us it was always a very, very good celebration, for many, many years.” The couple had emigrated from Ukraine and been married for 57 years, living in Matraville, Sydney.
Dan Elkayam
Jean‑Noël Barrot, France’s minister for Europe and foreign affairs, said, “We mourn with his family and loved ones, with the grieving Jewish community and the Australian people.” French President Emmanuel Macron added, “I am thinking of his family and loved ones and express to them the full solidarity of the nation.” Jasmine Love, his hiring manager, told NBC News, “Sadly, I can confirm that he was amongst the victims.” Dan Elkayam was 27 and worked for NBCUniversal as an IT systems administrator.
Eli Schlanger
Zalman Lewis posted on Instagram, “He was truly an incredible guy,” and added, “I knew Eli well enough to know he’d concur,” encouraging the community to pray and light Hanukkah candles. The Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia said his death shattered their hearts. Motti Seligson told NBC News that Eli was survived by his wife and five children, one barely two months old, and that his siblings in Australia were all numb and in shock. He served his community with righteousness and dedication.
Yaakov Levitan
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman confirmed Yaakov Levitan’s death to Guardian Australia. The Chabad organization posted on Instagram that Levitan served as the secretary of the Sydney Beth Din and was deeply involved in Chabad operations.
Peter Meagher
Mark Harrison, general manager of Randwick Rugby, said Peter “Marzo” Meagher was an absolute legend and that he was a former police officer working as a freelance photographer at the event. He added, “for him it was simply a catastrophic case of being in the wrong place and at the wrong time.”
Tibor Weitzen
Leor Amzalak told ABC News that Tibor Weitzen was “truly the best you could ask for.” He added, “He was so proud of us … and loved us more than life itself.” Weitzen immigrated to Australia from Israel in 1988.
Marika Pogany
Zuzana Čaputová posted on Facebook that Marika was a close friend, identifying her by her first name only. Peter Pellegrini said on X that a Slovak woman named Marika was killed in the attack, extending his heartfelt and sincere condolences and condemning the brutal, deadly attack on innocent people.
Key Takeaways
- Fifteen people were killed and 40 wounded during the Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting.
- Victims ranged from a 10‑year‑old child to an 87‑year‑old Holocaust survivor, and included citizens from France, Slovakia, and Israel.
- The attack was condemned by Australian officials and international leaders, with Prime Minister Albanese calling it terrorism.
The tragedy has left the Australian Jewish community and the nation in mourning, as families and friends grapple with the loss of loved ones.
