The stories behind those who were killed
At least 15 were killed in the Bondi Chanukah attack. These are the stories of those we lost.
At least 15 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire on the Chanukah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach last Sunday evening.
These are some of their stories.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger
London-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, was the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi.
After studying in France, he received his rabbinic ordination at the yeshivah in Crown Heights.
He married an Australian, Chayale, and they moved to Sydney, and had five children – the youngest just two months old.
Rabbi Schlanger was outspoken in the face of rising antisemitism in Australia.
In an interview on the Chabad website in March, he encouraged Jews to stand proudly in the face of hatred.
“Be more Jewish, act more Jewish, and appear more Jewish,” he’d said.
His cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, described him as “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm, outgoing person who loved to help people”.
Alex Kleytman
Alex Kleytman, an 87-year-old Ukrainian Holocaust survivor, was celebrating Chanukah at the Bondi Beach event when the attack began, and was killed when shielding his wife of 57 years, Larisa, with his own body.
“I think he was shot because he raised himself up to protect me,” Larisa said, in brief remarks outside Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital.
In its 2022-2023 annual report, JewishCare NSW published a feature on the retired civil engineer and Larisa, in which it recounted the “unspeakable terror of the Holocaust” that Alex had endured as a child in Siberia.
According to that report, “The scars of the past, however, did not deter [Alex and Larisa] from seeking a brighter future.”
Dan Elkayam
Dan Elkayam, 27, moved to Sydney from France last December for work.
He was a voracious traveller, and had posted many photos and accounts of his experiences.
He played football for Rockdale Ilinden FC’s NSW Premier League team, and was described by the club as “an extremely talented and popular figure”.
Rabbi Yaakov Halevi Levitan
Rabbi Levitan was a South African-born Chabad emissary, and secretary of the Sydney Beth Din, who worked at Sydney’s BINA Centre.
He’d studied business management and founded a company called tapNgive, which provided donation kiosk solutions for charities.
He was described on Chabad’s ColLive site as “a dedicated, behind-the-scenes worker, whose quiet professionalism and commitment were essential to the functioning of Sydney’s Jewish institutions”.
He was a caring father, husband, and community leader.
Reuven Morrison
Reuven Morrison, 62, was an immigrant to Australia in the 1970s from the former Soviet Union, who, according to Chabad, “discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney” and was a successful businessman, who donated generously to charitable causes, including Chabad of Bondi.
His family relocated to Melbourne, but he continued to split his time between the two cities, and worked mostly in Sydney.
He is survived by his wife, Leah, and daughter, Shaina Gutnick.
Matilda Britvan
Matilda Britvan was a 10-year-old student at La Perouse Public School and a former student at Harmony Russian Language School in Bellevue Hill, which in a Facebook post pledged to remember her “with love, grief and deep sorrow”.
“We honour her memory by standing together in compassion.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for her mother.
“I knew Matilda as a bright, joyful and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her,” Goodhew wrote.
La Perouse Public School, in a tribute post, said, “Our school community is devastated by the loss of Matilda … genuinely the most kind, caring, and compassionate young girl, who brightened everyone’s day with her radiant smile and infectious laugh.”
Only the previous Friday, at the school’s presentation day, she won the Soroptimist International Literacy Award, “and we watched as she rose in surprise – her smile shining brighter than ever”.
Tibor Weitzen
Tibor Weitzen, 78, was a father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was a beloved member of the local Jewish community and Chabad.
His granddaughter, Leor Amzalak, told the ABC, “My grandfather was truly the best you could ask for. He was so proud of us, and loved us more than life itself. He only saw the best in people.”
She said that he moved to Australia from Israel in 1988.
According to Chabad publication ColLive, he was killed as he tried to protect a family friend from gunfire.
It described him as a “sweet grandpa” who served as the “lollipop man” in synagogue, giving sweets to children.
Peter Meagher
A retired policeman and long-time volunteer at Randwick Rugby Club, Peter Meagher was shot dead while working as a freelance photographer at the Chanukah by the Sea event.
In a tribute post, the club said “Marzo” was a much-loved figure and “absolute legend – one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby”.
Marika Pogany
Marika Pogany, 82, was a loving grandmother who had Hungarian roots, and stayed connected to her heritage.
In 2019, she was honoured with the Jewish Communal Appeal’s “Mensch Award” for delivering more than 12,000 kosher “Meals on Wheels” for more than 20 years.
She was also a longtime member of the Harbour View Bridge Club.
“She was a terrific person, excellent bridge player, and an even better friend,” the club’s director Matt Mullamphy told The Sydney Morning Herald.
The Jewish community of Komárno, in present-day Slovakia, wrote on Facebook that Pogany would attend a Holocaust memorial event with that community every year.
Boris and Sofia Gurman
Boris (69) and Sofia (61) Gurman were married for 34 years.
In a statement, their family said they are “heartbroken by the sudden and senseless loss” and had been looking forward to celebrating Sofia’s 62nd birthday on Wednesday.
Boris was a retired mechanic, known for his generosity, quiet strength and willingness to lend a hand to anyone in need.
Sofia worked at Australia Post, and was deeply loved by her colleagues and community.
They treated everyone they met with kindness, warmth and respect, and were devoted to their family, and to each other.
“Their absence has left an immeasurable void.”
Edith Brutman
Edith Brutman was a longtime eastern suburbs resident and the vice-president of an anti-prejudice and anti-discrimination committee at B’nai B’rith NSW.
She has been described as “devoted” and “clever” by shattered friends and family.
Boris Tetleroyd
The niece of Sydney father Boris Tetleroyd has spoken of her family’s “unimaginable” grief following his “sudden and violent” death, The Nightly reported.
Leia Roitour has launched a GoFundMe campaign — which has already raised more than $35,000 — to support his widow and son, who was injured in the attack and remains in hospital.
Ms Roitour said the fundraiser was to help her aunt and cousin cope with the devastating loss.
Adam Smyth
Adam Smyth, a 50-year-old Bondi local and father of four, was out walking with his wife Katrina when the shooting erupted on Sunday night.
The Australian Financial Review reported that in a statement released to media through police, Smyth’s family said they were devastated by his death.
“We are all trying to come to terms with the senseless shooting, of which Adam was a victim. No words can describe the pain of our loss,” they said.
“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.
“We will forever cherish the time we have had with him. Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable.”
Tania Tretiak
Tania, a grandmother from Randwick, was attending the Chanukah at the Sea event at Bondi Beach with family members when the terror attack happened. Tania was 68.
She is the final person of the 15 murdered to be identified.
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