What we know about victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack
Victims of the horror attack in Bondi have begun to be identified, including the 10-year-old girl who tragically died while celebrating with her family.
A 10-year-old girl, two rabbis of the local Jewish community, a Holocaust survivor, and citizens of France and Israel are the first known victims of the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney’s east which has killed at least 16 people and injured many others.
On Sunday afternoon, two men fired dozens of bullets at Chanukah By the Sea, an event to mark the Jewish Hanukkah festival. It’s thought more than 100 people were in attendance.
Police have said 14 people died at the scene. A further 42 people – including four children – were taken to hospitals. Two people subsequently died at hospital overnight, a 10-year old girl and a 41-year-old man.
Victims range in age from 10 to 87 years old, Premier Chris Minns said on Monday morning.
Five people remain in a critical condition, police said, including two officers, a constable and probationary constable.
Matilda, 10
Little Matilda tragically died Sunday night, after she was shot while celebrating Hanukkah.
Her aunt, Lina confirmed the news in a post to social media.
“My niece Matilda was killed during a terrorist attack in Bondi Beach.
“I don’t know how we survive such grief.”
Matilda was a former student at Harmony Russian School of Sydney. She has been described as a “bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to those around her”.
In a post to social media the school said it was “deeply saddened to learn of her passing.”
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends and everyone affected by this tragic event.”
“Her memory will remain in our hearts, and we honour her life and the time she spent as part of our school family.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to support her family in the wake of the tragedy by Matilda’s language teacher. Her mother, Valentyna, has been named the beneficiary of the fundraiser.
“Yesterday, while celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts,” the fundraiser states.
Eli Schlanger, 41
One victim has been named as Eli Schlanger, 41, a devoted rabbi and chaplain from the Chabad of Bondi. He is the father of a two-month-old baby and four other children.
There are reports that Rabbi Schlanger was attending the event with his eight-year-old son. He pushed his son to the ground and covered him.
Rabbi Schlanger was one of the organisers of the event Chanukah by the Sea. Just hours before it took place, the father-of-five was posting about the event to his Facebook page.
“BOOK BOOK BOOK for your free donut,” he wrote.
Friend Eliezer Tewel posted about Rabbi Schlanger’s death.
“He was just doing his job. Showing up. Being the constant, reliable presence for his community,” he wrote in a tribute post.
“This is about my friend who is gone. It hurts. It’s confusing.”
Rabbi Schlanger’s cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, spoke to Jewish News about his senseless death.
“How can a joyful rabbi, who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?” Rabbi Lewis said.
“We can only respond by doing what Eli would have wanted, what he dedicated his life to – doing more mitzvot (good deeds) and to keep spreading positive energy. To keep generating light. To keep focusing on goodness and hope, in every interaction every day.
“Let’s flood the world with goodness because, as Jews, we know, as difficult as it might seem, that light and goodwill always win.”
Rabbi Schlanger was born in London and studied in France.
Alex Kleytman, 87
Alex Kleytman, an 87-year-old native of Ukraine was killed in the shooting, his wife of almost six decades, Larisa Kleytman, confirmed to Nine News.
She said she heard a “boom” and then he fell to the ground.
“I have no husband. I don’t know where is his body. Nobody can give me any answer,” she said.
Mr Kleytman was born in Ukraine and was a Holocaust survivor. He attended the event with his children and grandchildren, according to Chabad, a global organisation based in Brooklyn dedicated to sharing the Jewish faith and traditions.
“He died shielding her from the gunman’s bullets. In addition to his wife, he leaves behind two children and 11 grandchildren,” Chabad wrote on X.
“He came on Bondi Beach to celebrate Hanukkah, for us it was always a very, very good celebration, for many, many years,” Mrs Kleytman told The Australian.
Dan Elkayam, 27
France’s minister for Europe and foreign affairs of France Jean-Noel Barrot said French man Dan Elkayam, 27, has died.
“We mourn with his family and loved ones, with the grieving Jewish community and the Australian people.
“This despicable act is yet another tragic manifestation of a revolting surge of antisemitic hatred that we must thwart.”
French President Emmanuel Macron also posted about his death on social media.
“It is with deep sadness that I learn of the death of our compatriot Dan Elkayam in the antisemitic terrorist attack in Sydney,” he said in a translated post on X.
“I think of his family and loved ones and express to them the full solidarity of the nation.”
Elkayam had been celebrating Hanukkah at the event in Sydney, Chabad said in a social media post.
Reuven Morrison
Grandfather Reuven Morrison is understood to have been rushed to hospital Sunday evening after the attack, where he sadly died overnight.
A member of the Chabad community, Mr Morrison was a businessman originally from the Soviet Union before he “discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney”, Chabad posted. He also served as an assistant at Bondi’s Wellington Street synagogue.
He is a longtime Melbourne resident, moving there with his wife for their daughter’s education, according to AFR.
Yaakov Levitan
Rabbi Yaakov Levitan has been identified as the second rabbi killed in the horrific attack.
He served as secretary of the Sydney Beth Din and worked at the BINA Center, according to Chabad.
It’s understood he was married with children, with a close friend telling the Telegraph: “Good friend of mine. I'm heartbroken. I cannot believe this has happened.”
Tibor Weitzen
Father and husband Tibor Weitzen has been identified as one of the victims after he was fatally wounded while shielding his wife from the gunfire – who survived the attack, the Daily Mail reports
“He died last night from a gunshot, then a fall as he went to protect his wife,” Mr Weitzen’s son, who works for the ABC as a sound engineer, told Daily Mail on Monday.
Israel citizen killed
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said an Israeli citizen was killed in the attack and another injured.
“The Israeli Embassy in Australia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department for Israelis in Distress are in contact with the family of the wounded individual, who is hospitalised at a local hospital,” the ministry said.
“The Israeli Consul in Australia is expected to arrive at the hospital to accompany the wounded Israeli and assist the family.”
Police officers critical
It has been a desperate fight for life for the police officers shot in the terror attack, with one suffering catastrophic injuries to his shoulder that almost resulted in him bleeding to death.
Sources have confirmed the officer, whose “shoulder was blown apart” underwent lifesaving surgery late on Sunday night to stem the blood loss.
The officer’s wife, who is also a police officer and is pregnant, travelled from north of the state to be by his side.
The officer was also shot in the stomach.
“It was touch and go we didn’t think he was going to last the night so as you can imagine its been a really bloody traumatic time for his family and his wider police family,” one colleague told news.com.au.
“His shoulder was literally blown away, and of course with that comes other complicating factors like arteries and blood loss and so forth.”
A second officer, believed to be a probationary constable, was repeatedly shot in the face.
One source said the man is being treated at an eye hospital and could well lose his eye.
Both officers are critical.
With teams of new recruits to start at stations across the state today, the mood in the force is sombre.
“I spare a thought for them, they must be thinking what have I gotten myself into. This shouldn’t happen in Australia and it’s times like this where our policing community comes together stronger than ever. We are all praying for these two police officers and after a rough night of us feeling like we’d lost one of them, this morning we have some hope.”
October 7 survivor injured
One of the injured was human rights lawyer Arsen Ostrovsky, who said he also survived the October 7 attacks in southern Israel.
Mr Ostrovsky had his head injured during the attack and spoke to Sky News with a bloodied face.
“I’ve lived in Israel the last 13 years, I came here just two weeks ago to work with the Jewish community,” Mr Ostrovsky told Sky News.
“We’ve lived through worse we are going to get through this and we are going to get the bastards who did this.
“I saw children falling to the floor … there was blooding gushing everywhere.”
Another man was shot in the back, with a photo of his injury posted by the Australian Jewish Association.
Another man injured was at the festival working for the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the 29 people taken to hospital had a “range” of injuries.
“The condition of those officers and the others transported are serious, but there is a range of conditions,” he said.
“We’ve had 29 others transported and we know people are still turning up there.”
Of the dead, one is believed to be a shooter.
The second alleged shooter is in a critical condition.
Originally published as What we know about victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack
