These are the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack

Funerals have commenced for the 15 people killed in a terror attack at Bondi Beach.

A composite image of Bondi Beach terror attack victims.

Some of the Bondi Beach terror attack victims. Top row (left to right): Peter Meagher, Alex Kleytman, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan. Middle row (left to right): Reuven Morrison, Matilda, Tibor Weitzen. Bottom row (left to right): Marika Pogany, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, and Dan Elkavam. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Adam Smyth, 50, has been confirmed as one of the victims of Sunday's terrorist attack on Australia's Jewish community at Bondi Beach, as people around the world mourn the 15 victims.

Two rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old girl were also among the victims.

Another 42 people were injured in the attack, with 26 people remaining in hospital. A dozen of them are still in critical condition, including children.

On Tuesday, mourners continued to lay flowers at the Bondi Pavilion and Bondi Beach, paying tribute to victims of the shooting rampage that targeted the Jewish community who were celebrating the first day of Hanukkah.

Not all victims of the attack have been named or appear in this story, but some family members have given consent for details to be published.

Adam Smyth

Bondi resident and father of four, Adam Smyth, was walking with his wife, Katrina, when he was killed on Sunday night.
A man in a blue shirt is smiling.
Adam Smyth, a Bondi local, has been confirmed as the latest victim of Sunday's terror attack. Credit: Supplied
In a statement, his family said they are "trying to come to terms with the senseless shooting".

"Adam and Katrina were living their best lives together. Their shared love of family and friends, travel and sport — if not always the same team — made their time together truly special," the statement said.

Matilda

The youngest victim, 10-year-old Matilda, died in hospital after being shot.

She was farewelled by friends, family and some public officials at a funeral service on Thursday. Her schoolmates remembered her as a bright and spirited girl who brought light to everyone around her.
She was attending the Hanukkah by the Sea event with her family, including her sister, when she was shot.
A girl wearing a yellow top and a blue dolphin painted on her face is smiling.
Matilda was just 10 years old when she was killed. Source: Supplied
Matilda's aunt Lina has described her as a happy child who smiled, was friendly and enjoyed life.

"[I] love my niece so much. I can't believe she's gone," she said.

Her grieving father, Michael, asked the crowd gathered at a service in Bondi on Wednesday to remember his daughter's name.

"I thought that Matilda was the most Australian name that could ever exist," Michael said.

"So just remember — remember her name."

Peter Meagher

Peter Meagher was a retired police officer and a much-loved figure at Randwick Rugby Club, the club has said in a tribute to "Marzo".

In a statement, general manager Mark Harrison said Meagher, first-grade team manager and volunteer at the club, was working as a freelance photographer at the Hanukkah event on Sunday.

The club's home ground is in the beachside suburb of Coogee, about 4km south of Bondi Beach.

Harrison described Meagher as an "absolute legend in our club".

"With decades of voluntary involvement, he was one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby," he said.
A man wearing a sports cap and jacket smiles while leaning on a short white fence.
Peter Meagher has been remembered as a "legend" of the Randwick Rugby Club. Source: Supplied
"The Meagher family are absolute royalty in our club, with Marzo following in the giant Myrtle Green footsteps of his grandfather — the legendary Wally Meagher — and his father Ron, who was a former Club president," Harrison said.

He noted that Meagher served for almost four decades in the NSW Police and retired as a detective sergeant. He was also a long-term referee in Sydney club rugby.

"The tragic irony is that he spent so long in the dangerous front line as a police officer and was struck down in retirement while taking photos in his passion role is really hard to comprehend," he said.

"Our deepest condolences go to his wife, Virginia, his brothers Greg, David, Andrew and Paul, their extended families and a mountain of friends across Randwick Rugby, NSW Police, Sydney Rugby Referees and our local community."

Dan Elkayam

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Dan Elkayam was among those killed at Bondi Beach.
A man dressed in a yellow Brazil football jersey smiles into the camera.
Dan Elkayam was described as extremely talented and popular. Source: Supplied
Elkayam's family said in a statement he was "at the beach with his friends for the lighting of the Hanukkah candles. He was playing football, celebrating the holiday, and enjoying a sunny summer day at Bondi Beach".

"Dan brought light wherever he went and inspired countless people through the way that he lived. His smile could light up any room," his family said.

Rockdale Ilinden FC, based in Sydney's south, paid tribute to the Premier League 1 footballer, saying he was an integral member of the squad.

"[He] was an extremely talented and popular figure among teammates," the club said in a Facebook post.

Rabbi Feivel (Eli) Schlanger

Rabbi Feivel Schlanger, 41, was an organiser of the Hanukkah celebrations. He served as a rabbi for 18 years and was the head of the Chabad mission in Bondi.

Schlanger leaves behind his wife and young children, including a two-month-old baby.

His brother-in-law, rabbi Mandel Kastel, told SBS News the news was "devastating" and "shattering".

"He was warm, he was engaging, he was interesting, he was curious about people," he said of his relative.
Schlanger's cousin, rabbi Zalman Lewis, said he was dedicated to his adopted homeland of Australia and devoted to helping society's less fortunate.

"He was truly an incredible guy," Lewis said.

Schlanger was farewelled on Wednesday at the Chabad of Bondi Synagogue, where hundreds gathered to mourn his death.

His emotional father-in-law gave testament to Schlanger's warmth and compassion, both with his family and the NSW Jewish community.

"Our community suffered our own seventh of October," rabbi Yehoram Ulman said in his eulogy, referencing the Hamas attack in Israel in 2023.

Marika Pogany

Marika Pogany, 82, is remembered as a local Jewish volunteer and community member.

Known to loved ones as Omi, her family have remembered her as a "beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and steadfast friend, whose warmth and energy touched countless lives".

"In 2022, she was recognised for delivering 12,000 kosher Meals on Wheels over the course of more than two decades," the website Chabad, connected to the orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch movement, wrote on social media.
A photograph of a woman dressed in a white dress and pearls around her neck.
Marika Pogany is remembered as a local Jewish volunteer and community member. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Pogany was a member of the Harbourview Bridge Club in the eastern suburb of Rose Bay.

"She was a terrific person, excellent bridge player, and an even better friend. Incredibly loyal. I knew her for 40 years," club director Matt Mullamphy said.

Alexander Kleytman

Alexander Kleytman was a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine.

After the war, he moved to Australia and worked as a civil engineer.

He attended the Bondi Hanukkah celebrations with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Kleytman's wife, Larissa, said her husband died trying to protect her. "He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me," she said.

Chabad wrote on social media: "He died shielding her from the gunman's bullets. In addition to his wife, he leaves behind two children and 11 grandchildren."

Kleytman's family described him as a "fascinating person of many talents and an unwavering spirit".

Reuven Morrison

Reuven Morrison, 62, was a businessman and member of the Chabad communities in Melbourne and Sydney.

Born in the former Soviet Union, he migrated to Australia as a teenager in the 1970s.

Morrison is survived by his wife, their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.
An elderly man wearing a black jumper and jacket is standing in a balcony.
Reuven Morrison, 62, was a businessman and member of the Chabad communities in Melbourne and Sydney. Source: Supplied / Anash.org
Chabad wrote on social media: "Reuven and Leah were blessed with one daughter, my dear friend Sheina, who was born after many years of praying and waiting."

"Sheina was the centre of Reuven's universe, and he extended that love to Sheina's many close friends, who lovingly called him 'Papa Morrison'."

Sheina Gutnick told United States broadcaster CBS News on Monday: "He had jumped the second the shooting started. He managed to throw bricks. He was screaming at the terrorist and protecting his community."

"If there is one way for him to go on this earth, it would be fighting a terrorist," Gutnick said.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, 39, served as a secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, general manager of Chabad in Bondi, and worked at the BINA Centre of Jewish Learning.

"If something needed to happen in Sydney's Jewish community, Levitan made it happen," the Chabad website reported. "In fact, you'd have a hard time finding a Jewish institution in the city that wasn't directly impacted by his work."
A  man with a long beard is smiling.
Rabbi Yaakov Levitan is survived by his wife and four children. Source: Supplied / Chabad.org
He is survived by his wife and four children.

Boris and Sofia Gurman

Boris and Sofia Gurman were likely among the first of 15 people killed in the terror attack.

Dash cam footage from a passing vehicle showed Boris, 69, wrestling a gun away from one of the alleged shooters, Sajid Akram.

The men fell to the ground as Sofia, 61, ran to the aid of her husband, who grabbed Akram's weapon.

But Akram's son and alleged accomplice, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, appeared to exit the car holding another gun moments later.
A couple holding hands.
Boris and Sofia Gurman tried to stop one of the alleged attackers as he stepped out of his car. Source: Supplied / GoFundMe
A statement from the Gurman family confirming their deaths said the pair was preparing to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary in January, along with Sofia's 62nd birthday on Wednesday.

Boris was a retired mechanic, while Sofia worked at Australia Post.

"Together, they lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone they met with kindness, warmth and respect," the statement said.

"Boris and Sofia were devoted to their family and to each other. They were the heart of our family, and their absence has left an immeasurable void."

Edith Brutman

Edith Brutman, 68, was remembered as a woman with a "heart of gold, according to media reports, who was attending the event with a friend, Tibor Weitzen, who was killed while trying to shield her.

"Our beloved Edith was a woman of integrity who chose humanity every day. She met prejudice with principle, and division with service," her family said in a statement to the ABC.

She was the vice president of an anti-discrimination committee at B'nai B'rith NSW, an international Jewish community service organisation.

Tibor Weitzen

Tibor Weitzen, a 78-year-old grandfather, was attending the Chanukah By The Sea event with his wife Eva.

A member of the Chabad of Bondi community, he reportedly died shielding his loved ones.
A man wearing a chequered shirt.
Tibor Weitzen reportedly died while shielding his loved ones during Sunday's attack. Source: Supplied / Chabad.org
Within the synagogue, Weitzen would greet children with a smile and a lollipop, the Chabad website reported.

"He was the congregation's beloved 'candyman' who brought joy and smiles to everyone," it stated.

Weitzen was born in the former Soviet Union, then migrated to Israel and later to Australia in the late 1980s.

Boris Tetleroyd

Husband and father Boris Tetleroyd was killed in the Bondi attack, in which his son was also injured, according to a fundraising post by his niece on social media.

"Our family is grieving the sudden and violent loss of a beloved husband and father in the Bondi attack," Leia Roitour said in a social media post that said the son was "recovering" in hospital.

A family statement described Tetleroyd as "well known to his neighbours, deeply connected to our wider community, and cherished by his family".


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10 min read

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By Charis Chang, Alexandra Koster

Source: SBS News



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