Gunmen opened fire on a crowd at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on December 14, 2025. The attack happened during a Hanukkah celebration. It killed 15 people and hurt more than 40 others. Police called it a terrorist act aimed at the Jewish community.
Not all names have been released yet. Families need time, and investigations continue. So far, nine victims have been identified. Their ages range from 10 to 87. They include a child, rabbis, a Holocaust survivor, and others from the community.
Here is what we know about the known victims:
- Matilda Britvan (10): A bright, joyful girl described as a “happy kid who was like a sun everywhere she went.” She attended the Harmony Russian School of Sydney and was at the event with her family, including her younger sister. Her family emigrated from Ukraine to Australia in the 1990s.
- Alexander Kleytman (87): A Holocaust survivor from Ukraine who emigrated to Australia. He died shielding his wife from gunfire after 57 years of marriage. A retired civil engineer, he left behind two children and 11 grandchildren.
- Dan Elkayam (27): A French national and IT systems administrator for NBC Universal who recently moved to Australia. A talented soccer player for Rockdale Ilinden FC, he was at the event celebrating Hanukkah and left behind a girlfriend.
- Rabbi Eli Schlanger (41): A London-born Chabad rabbi who organized the “Hanukkah by the Sea” event. He served as assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi and as a chaplain. Known for his kindness and service, he left behind a wife and five young children, including a two-month-old.
- Rabbi Yaakov Levitan (N/A): Secretary of the Sydney Beth Din and deeply involved in Chabad operations in Sydney.
- Peter Meagher (“Marzo”) (N/A): A retired New South Wales police detective sergeant with nearly 40 years of service. A manager, referee, and volunteer at Randwick Rugby Club, he was working as a freelance photographer at the event.
- Tibor Weitzen (78): Immigrated to Australia from Israel in 1988. A member of Bondi’s Chabad Synagogue, known as a “sweet grandpa” and the “candyman” who brought joy to others. He died shielding loved ones and left behind family including grandchildren.
- Marika Pogany (82): A Slovak citizen who emigrated to Australia in 1968. An active Jewish community volunteer, she delivered over 12,000 kosher Meals on Wheels and received awards for her service. She was a friend of former Slovak president Zuzana Čaputová.
- Reuven Morrison (N/A): A businessman from the former Soviet Union who emigrated to Australia in the 1970s. He discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney, donated to charities, and split time between Melbourne and Sydney. He left behind a wife and daughter.
One Israeli was killed, and another hurt, but more details are not out yet. Some other Chabad workers were injured.
The shooters were a father and son. The father died in a police shootout. The son is in the hospital. Leaders around the world have spoken out against the attack. People held vigils to remember the victims.
Police are still looking into how it happened. More names may come out soon.
