The deadly attack at Bondi Beach in Australia is making headlines across international news agencies, occurring during the first “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration for Hanukkah. This “blow” is already being characterized as the deadliest “antisemitic” attack since October 7, 2023. Against the backdrop of this tragedy, more details are emerging about the victims’ identities and how Australia’s “hero” – the man who disarmed one of the perpetrators – came to take this action, potentially saving dozens of lives.
Regarding the victims, their ages ranged from 10 to 87 years old, with Matilda recorded as the youngest and a Holocaust survivor, who shielded his wife with his body, as the eldest.
Australia: 10-year-old Matilda among victims – “She brought light to everyone around her, had never been separated from her twin”
Authorities confirmed that among the dead was a 10-year-old girl, whom her family presented to local media as Matilda.
Irina Goodhew, who organized a fundraising event for the girl’s mother and stated she was the child’s former teacher, wrote: “I knew her as a smart, happy and lively child who brought light to everyone around her.”
The Harmony Russian School of Sydney also confirmed she was their student. “With deep sadness we announce that a former student of our school passed away in hospital due to injuries sustained from gunfire,” the school wrote on Facebook.
“Our condolences and sincere support go to her family, friends and all those affected by this tragic event… Her memory will remain in our hearts and we honor her life and the time she spent as a member of our school family.”
Meanwhile, her aunt spoke to ABC News and said Matilda’s sister, who was with her when she was shot, is struggling to accept the loss. “They were like twins — they had never been separated,” she told ABC.
Eli Schlanger – The British “rabbi” father of five children
Known as “the Bondi rabbi,” 41-year-old Eli Schlanger was one of the main organizers of Sunday’s event. He headed the local Chabad mission, an international Hasidic Jewish organization based in Brooklyn.
The death of the father of five children, of British origin, was confirmed by his cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis.
“My beloved cousin, Rabbi Eli Schlanger @bondirabbi, was murdered in today’s terrorist attack in Sydney,” Zalman wrote on Instagram. “He leaves behind his wife and young children, as well as my uncle, aunt and siblings… He was truly an incredible person.”
In a post on their website, Chabad noted that Schlanger’s youngest child was only two months old.
“He was the most pious, humane, kind and pleasant person I think I have ever met,” said Alex Ryvchin of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry to reporters at Bondi on Monday morning.
Alex Kleytman, 87 years old – Holocaust survivor
87-year-old Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor, was killed trying to protect his wife Larisa from gunfire, with whom he had been married for 57 years. “He raised himself up to cover me. I believe that’s when they shot him in the back of the head,” his devastated wife said.
The couple had traveled from Sydney’s Matraville suburb to celebrate Hanukkah with other Jews. They were grandparents and particularly beloved in their community. They had been married 50 years and had 2 children and 11 grandchildren
Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman one of the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
He died shielding his wife, Larisa from the bullets.
“He Raised Himself Up to Protect Me.”
The couple were married for 50 years and had 11 grandchildren.
Source: People Magazine pic.twitter.com/VFCuTR895Z
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) December 15, 2025
Dan Elkayam, French 27-year-old footballer
The death of French citizen Dan Elkayam was confirmed by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
“With great sadness we learned that our compatriot Dan Elkayam was among the victims of the terrorist attack that struck Jewish families gathered at Bondi Beach in Sydney,” he wrote on social media. “We mourn with his family and loved ones, the Jewish community and the Australian people.”
According to his LinkedIn profile, Elkayam worked as an IT analyst for NBCUniversal and had moved to Australia last year.
He was also a passionate footballer and “an integral member” of our first division team, wrote the Rockdale Ilindin Football Club in western Sydney on their Facebook page.
He was “an extremely talented and popular personality among his teammates. Our deepest and sincere condolences to Dan’s family, friends and all who knew him. He will be missed,” the club wrote.
Dan Elkayam, un jeune Français qui participait aux célébrations de Hanouka sur la plage de Bondi, a été identifié comme l’une des victimes assassinées lors de la fusillade antisémite. 💔
Pensée très forte à sa famille et à ses proches.
Que sa mémoire soit une bénédiction. 🕯️ pic.twitter.com/2tBpJerjYD
— Jérémy Benhaïm (@JeremBenhaim) December 14, 2025
Reuven Morrison: “He was trying to save others”
Reuven Morrison, an assistant at Wellington Street synagogue in Bondi, was killed while trying to help attendees take cover from the hail of bullets. Also known as Ruben, Morrison immigrated from the former Soviet Union to Australia in the 1970s. Chabad.org reported that he split his time between Sydney and Melbourne and was a “successful businessman whose main goal was to donate his profits to charities he particularly loved.”
In a 2024 ABC interview, Morrison said he had experienced persecution as a Jew in the Soviet Union but did not expect such a thing to happen in Australia. “We came here with the view that Australia is the safest country in the world and that Jews would not face such antisemitism in the future, where we can raise our children in a safe environment,” he said.
El Rab Ioram Ulman director de Jabad en Bondi y Director del tribunal rabinico de Sydney con Ruben Morrison zl, uno de los principales donantes de la comunidad, en una foto hace unos años.
Hoy Ruben fue asesinado en el evento de Janucá.
Era un muy buen tipo siempre ayudando y… pic.twitter.com/4NXFZriH7C— Eli Levy (@pinchegorro) December 14, 2025
Israeli citizen dead, October 7th Hamas attack survivor wounded
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of one Israeli citizen and the wounding of another. Among the wounded is human rights lawyer Arsen Ostrovsky, a survivor of the Hamas attack at the Nova festival on October 7, 2023.
Arsen Ostrovsky, a survivor of the Hamas attack at the Nova festival on October 7, 2023, was wounded in the Bondi Beach massacre
“I survived October 7th. I never imagined I would live through this nightmare again in Australia,” he stated. “A bullet grazed my head. The doctors said I was saved by a miracle, but I will recover,” he added.
Thinking of @Ostrov_A today, our community in Australia, and world Jewry.
Thankful that Arsen is alive. Devastated by the antisemitic killing of Jews. https://t.co/mluL4OaOs6
— 𝔼𝕝𝕝𝕚𝠊𝕥 𝕄𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓃 🎗️ (@ElliotMalin) December 14, 2025
How Australia’s “hero” ended up in the right place to save lives
Meanwhile, more details emerged about how Ahmed al Ahmed, who disarmed one of the gunmen, came to be at the scene. This was revealed by his parents, who praised their son’s bravery. His father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, told Arabic media:
“I feel pride and honor because my son is a hero of Australia.” He also said his son is a “hero” and that he is happy he saved “innocent souls from these criminals and murderers.”
His mother, Malake Hassan Al Ahmed, said:
“My son was always brave, he helps people. He likes that.”
The parents then explained how their son ended up confronting the gunman, as reported by Sky News:
“His friend told him to go for coffee in Bondi,” said his father.
“They arrived there and were shocked when they saw armed men shooting and terrorists.”
Al Ahmed, who had served in the police, noticed that one of the gunmen was hiding behind a tree and confronted him when he ran out of ammunition, taking away his weapon.
