Who Were the Victims of the Bondi Terror Attack?

A child. A retired policeman. Community leaders. Volunteers. Grandparents.

The victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack on Dec. 14 were, on the day, filled with love, light, and life.

Melbourne Rabbi Menachem Aron said the entire Jewish community was mourning, and his own 20-year-old cousin-in-law was among those wounded and now facing a long recovery.

Here is what is known so far about those who had their lives cut short in the tragedy.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was a co-organiser of the beachside Hanukkah event, a devoted prison chaplain and a respected community leader.

He recently became a father of five when his youngest son was born in October.

Rabbi Schlanger often shared reflections online, from his spiritual perspective on the under-16s social media ban, through to his dedication to supporting prisoners through chaplaincy.

Speaking of the men he supported through incarceration, Rabbi Schlanger said, “spiritually, they are perhaps the most free people I know. I’m in awe.”

Rabbi Aron recalled Schlanger as someone directly involved with both Jewish and non-Jewish communities, encouraging people to light a Hanukkah menorah in his memory.

Matilda, 10

Matilda was the youngest victim of the attacks. The little girl was reportedly shot in the stomach and died in hospital after suffering catastrophic blood loss.

Her aunt, Lina Chernykh, told Seven News her brother was “beyond stressed” and not able to speak to anyone after losing his child.

“I am absolutely beyond belief it happened,” she said.

Chernykh said she had hoped the news was some kind of cruel joke, recalled Matilda as an “innocent, sweet, happy” child.

She expressed concerns for the wellbeing of Matilda’s younger sister, Summer, who narrowly avoided being struck herself.

A GoFundMe set up by Matilda’s language teacher, Irina Goodhew, has raised more than half a million dollars to support the family.

“I knew her as a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her,” Goodhew said.

“While celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts.”

Boris, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61

Boris and Sofia Gurman were long-time residents of Bondi, having been married for 34 years.

A close family friend said the pair were believed to be the first victims of the attack, after attempting to disarm one of the gunmen.

“They were people of deep kindness, quiet strength, and unwavering care for others,” the family friend said.

“Devoted to their family and to each other, their absence has left a void that cannot be filled.

“In the moments before their passing, Boris—with Sofia courageously beside him—attempted to intervene to protect others.

“This act of bravery and selflessness reflects exactly who they were—people who instinctively chose to help, even at great personal risk.”

Alex Kleytman, 87

Alex Kleytman died shielding his wife, Larisa, who revealed her husband was fatally shot in the back of the head.

The Matraville couple had made the 25-minute drive to Bondi to join in the Hanukkah celebrations.

Alex Ryvchin, co‑CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, shared Kleytman’s story of survival.

A retired civil engineer, Kleytman and his wife made their way to Australia for a better life after surviving the Holocaust.

“He survived the Holocaust, Soviet Union, World War II, and the Nazi killing squads—[only] to be felled by the bullet of an assassin,” Ryvchin said.

“He was a sharp, deeply engaged individual who lived a rich, rich history.”

Kleytman is survived by his wife, two children, and 11 grandchildren.

Peter Meagher, 61

Peter Meagher was a retired policeman who had developed a passion for photography.

He was taking photos at the Hanukkah event when he was shot.

A representative for his sports club said Meagher’s family hoped he would be remembered for his long record of volunteering and service of the community, rather than the circumstances of his death.

The Support Grassroots Rugby social media page paid tribute to Meagher as a loyal former Randwick club manager.

“Peter had made a career out of his hobby photography after retirement and was on assignment at Bondi,” the post stated.

“This tragedy wasn’t just an attack on the Jewish community; it was an attack on our nation and way of life.

“Peter not only served our country by holding our safety and laws. He actively gave back to society through his love of our sport, giving tirelessly.”

Dan Elkayam, 27

Dan Elkayam, an engineer and talented soccer player, had moved to Australia from France.

Rockdale Ilinden Football Club shared its “extreme shock and sadness” over the news he had been shot in the Bondi attack.

“Dan was an integral member of our PL1 Squad in 2025; an extremely talented and popular figure amongst teammates,” the club said in a social media post.

“Our deepest and sincerest condolences to Dan’s family. He will be missed.”

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan served as secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, a Jewish religious court dealing in matters such as kosher food certification, dispute resolution, burials and marriages.

Rabbi Levitan was deeply involved in the work of the Jewish orthodox movement, Chabad.

Reuven Morrison, 62

According to his daughter, Sheina Gutnick, Morrison lept into action the second he heard gunfire.

Morrison, an accomplished businessman, was captured on CCTV hurling bricks at one of the gunmen, with video later showing him standing in plain sight before the shooter, pointing directly at him—a move that likely bought time for others as they rushed away from the onslaught.

Morrison had also served as an assistant at Bondi’s Wellington Street synagogue.

Gutnick spoke to America’s CBS News about her father’s heroic actions.

“Everyone that knew him knew that incredible man that was just too big for this world. The light that he added, his endless generosity, he was just the most incredible person,” she said.

“If there was one way he’d go on this earth, it would be fighting a terrorist; there was no other way he’d be taken from us. He went down fighting, protecting people he loved the most.

“He is not one to lie down, he is one to run towards danger.”

Gutnick laid blame for the attacks upon the Australian government, saying the Jewish community had been “begging, begging, and begging” for action on anti-Semitism.

Tibor Weitzen, 78

A beloved grandfather, Weitzen was an avid member of the Bondi Chabad Synagogue, and was killed using his body to shield his wife’s friend.

His body was discovered by his grandson, a first responder.

Marika Pogany, 82

Marika Pogany was a long-time Meals on Wheels volunteer, delivering food for over 23 years, and winning a community award for her efforts.

A friend, Ilit Ben-Dan, said Pogany was deeply involved in Holocaust remembrance and Jewish community life.

Ben-Dan shared her heartbreaking experience of messaging her friends to check if they were OK after hearing the news, with only one not responding—Pogany.

“The wonderful Marika, whom I met through my activity in Holocaust research in the Hungarian regions of Slovakia, the one whose Facebook was filled with world travels, restaurants, friends, alongside Holocaust commemoration, support for Israel, Jewish content, and even a profile picture bearing a Star of David and calling for the condemnation of antisemitism, is one of the victims of this very anti-Semitism and of the public silence that grants legitimacy to this extremism when it comes to Jews,” she wrote.

“Marika, along with the other victims, is an innocent casualty of deliberate incitement that will not stop with the Jewish people, and that they will begin to speak up and act to stop this Jihadi hatred that threatens the world.”

Edith Brutman

Edith Brutman, a grandmother and vice-president of the anti-prejudice committee in the B’nai Brith NSW organisation, died in hospital after being shot at the Hanukkah event.

Her cousin, Daniel Grunfeld, announced her death on Facebook in the early hours of Dec. 17.

“She was a strong, loving, smart, and witty woman and will be missed,” Grunfeld said.

“Whilst we have fond memories of our time with her, she has been taken away too soon and in the most brutal and unforgiveable manner.”

She is survived by her son Tom, his wife, and three children, and her nephew David.

Boris Tetleroyd

Jewish group Chabad announced the death of Boris Tetleroyd on Dec. 18. Tetleroyd was killed during the terror attack.

He has been described as a warm, generous and deeply sociable man.

His son, Yaakov, sustained injuries in the terror attack.

A neighbour, Michael Schur, recounted the many long chats he had with Tetleroyd, including recent discussions on rising anti-Semitism within Australia.

“I knew him from the dog park, he had an old bulldog, who in his latter years Boris pushed around in a baby pram, ensuring until the end that his dog got to play with all the other doggies,” Schur said.

“Such a kind, lovely soul. I am devastated beyond words.”

Unnamed Israeli Citizen

Authorities have confirmed that one Israeli citizen was killed in the attack. Their identity has not yet been released.

Adam Smyth

Adam Smyth was a married father-of-four who was enjoying a walk on the beach with wife Katrina when he was cruelly gunned down.

In a statement, Smyth’s family said they could not describe the pain of their loss.

“Adam and Katrina were living their best lives together,” they said.

“Their shared love of family and friends, travel and sport – if not always the same team – made their time together truly special.”

Smyth’s biggest passions were English Premier League Football team Liverpool, AFL side the Sydney Swans, NRL team the Manly Sea Eagles and his beloved pets.

“We will forever cherish the time we have had with him,” the statement said.

“Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable.”

The Day of the Attack

The terror unfolded on Bondi Beach at around 6.40 p.m., Dec. 14, after gunmen started shooting at a large crowd gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah.

A 50-year-old shooter, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police, while his son, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, was shot by police and taken to the hospital under police guard. He has been charged with 15 counts of murder.