A joyous Hanukkah festival on Australia’s Bondi Beach was shattered by unimaginable violence when a father and son opened fire, claiming 15 lives. The elder gunman was killed, his son now in a coma. Among the victims, ranging from a 10-year-old girl to an 87-year-old, were Holocaust survivors and cherished community members, leaving behind a profound sense of loss.
Ten-year-old Matilda, described by her aunt as “beautiful like sunshine,” tragically died in hospital, her younger sister witnessing the horror. The oldest victim, 87-year-old Alex Kleytman, a Ukrainian-born Holocaust survivor, bravely shielded his wife in his final moments. Another survivor, 82-year-old Marika Pogany, known for decades of selfless community work, was also lost.
Heroism shone through the terror. Reuven Morrison, 62, reportedly a businessman, sacrificed his life attempting to distract the gunmen, throwing bricks to protect others. Tibor Weitzen, 78, was found shielding a friend, a final act of courage.
The tragedy also claimed Dan Elkayam, a French amateur footballer building a new life, and Peter Meagher, a retired police detective and keen photographer whose rugby club mourned the ironic end to a life spent on the front lines.
Community pillars were among those taken too soon. Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39, a father of four, was celebrated for his kindness and charity work. Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, affectionately known as the “Bondi Rabbi” and a father of five, was a beloved community leader, described as “full of light.”
The Bondi community now grapples with immense sorrow, honoring the memories of those lost, their acts of bravery, and the enduring impact they had on countless lives. Their stories stand as a testament to the human spirit and the strength of a community united in grief.
