Fifteen people from across Australia’s Jewish community were killed Sunday night when gunmen opened fire at a Chanukah anukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, turning a public religious gathering into one of the deadliest antisemitic attacks outside Israel in decades.
The shooting took place during “Chanukah by the Sea,” an event organized by the Chabad movement to mark the first night of the Jewish festival. Authorities said the attackers fired roughly 50 rounds into a crowd of about 1,000 people. At least 38 others were wounded, including two police officers.
Australian officials described the massacre as the second-deadliest mass shooting in the country’s history and the most lethal attack targeting Jews abroad since the outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war following the October 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel.
As investigations continue, the identities of the victims — ranging from rabbis and Holocaust survivors to a young child — underscore the scale and brutality of the attack.
This article will be updated as additional information becomes available.
Edith Brutman
Edith Brutman was identified Tuesday as one of those killed. She was a prominent Jewish communal figure and served as vice president of an anti-prejudice and anti-discrimination committee affiliated with B’nai B’rith New South Wales.
B’nai B’rith described Brutman as a devoted and gracious member of the organization, noting her longstanding commitment to fighting discrimination. A colleague said she was deeply passionate about combating antisemitism and prejudice in all forms.
Australian media reported that Brutman attended the event with a friend, Tibor Weitzen, and that the two were seated together when they were fatally shot.
Boris Gurman, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61
Boris and Sofia Gurman, a Russian-Jewish couple married for 34 years, were killed while attempting to stop one of the attackers near his vehicle, according to family statements and local media.
Video footage circulated by Australian outlets showed the couple struggling with one of the gunmen in what relatives later described as an instinctive effort to protect others.
Their family said the images of their final moments brought both heartbreak and pride, calling their actions a reflection of their character and selflessness. Boris was a retired mechanic, while Sofia worked for Australia Post. They are survived by their son.
Marika Pogany, 82
Marika Pogany, a grandmother and longtime volunteer, was named among the victims on Monday. She had deep ties to the Jewish community and maintained strong connections to her Hungarian roots.
In 2019, Pogany received the Jewish Communal Appeal’s Mensch Award after delivering more than 12,000 kosher Meals on Wheels over two decades. She was also an active member of a local bridge club, where friends remembered her as fiercely loyal and warm.
Members of a Jewish community in present-day Slovakia noted that Pogany regularly attended Holocaust memorial events. She was photographed smiling in the front row at the Chanukah celebration shortly before the attack.
Peter Meagher
Peter Meagher, a retired police officer, was killed while working as a freelance photographer at the event. A longtime volunteer with the Randwick Rugby Club, he was widely regarded as a central figure in the organization.
The club said it was devastating that Meagher survived years on the front lines of law enforcement only to be killed in retirement while pursuing a personal passion. Fellow volunteers described his death as a tragic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Tibor Weitzen, 78
Tibor Weitzen was a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who had been a beloved member of Sydney’s Jewish and Chabad communities for decades.
According to family members, Weitzen emigrated from Israel to Australia in 1988. His granddaughter described him as someone who saw only the good in people and was deeply proud of his family.
Chabad-affiliated media reported that Weitzen was killed while attempting to shield a family friend from gunfire.
Matilda Britvan, 10
Matilda Britvan, a 10-year-old girl, was the youngest victim of the attack. She was attending the Chanukah celebration when she was fatally shot.
Britvan was a student at Harmony Russian School in Sydney, which described her as a bright and joyful child who brought light to those around her. The school said her memory would be honored through unity and compassion.
A fundraiser established by one of her teachers is raising money to support her mother.
Reuven Morrison, 62
Reuven Morrison, a grandfather and community activist, was killed after confronting one of the attackers during the shooting.
Video footage shows Morrison throwing objects and shouting at the gunman in an apparent attempt to stop the attack. He was later shot by a second assailant.
His daughter said Morrison immediately moved to protect others when the shooting began, adding that “if there was one way for him to go on this Earth, it would be fighting a terrorist.”
A year before his death, Morrison warned in a media interview about growing antisemitic threats in Australia. Originally from the former Soviet Union, he discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney and remained deeply connected to Jewish life even after relocating part-time to Melbourne.
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
Rabbi Yaakov Halevi Levitan, 39
Rabbi Yaakov Halevi Levitan was a Chabad emissary and served as secretary of the Sydney Beth Din. He also worked at the BINA Jewish education center.
Born in Johannesburg, Levitan studied in South Africa, Israel, and later the United States. He was known for his quiet professionalism and behind-the-scenes dedication to Jewish communal infrastructure.
He is survived by his wife and four children, ranging in age from six to 16.
Dan Elkayam, 27
Dan Elkayam, a French national who immigrated to Australia last year, was also among those killed.
France’s foreign minister confirmed Elkayam’s death, expressing profound sadness and solidarity with his family, the Jewish community, and the Australian public.
Elkayam, a native of Paris, moved to Sydney in December 2024 for work. His professional background was in information technology, and his social media accounts reflected a passion for travel, outdoor adventure, and sports. Chabad organizations noted that he was killed while celebrating Chanukah with fellow Jews.
He was also an active soccer player and a member of the Rockdale Ilinden Football Club, which described him as a talented and well-liked figure within the team.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41
Rabbi Eli Schlanger was serving as the assistant rabbi of Chabad of Bondi at the time of his death. Born in London, he studied in France and later in New York, where he received rabbinic ordination before moving to Australia.
Schlanger was widely known for encouraging Jewish pride and resilience amid rising antisemitism. In public statements earlier this year, he urged members of the community to respond to hatred by strengthening their Jewish identity and visibility.
He is survived by his wife and five children, the youngest of whom was born just two months before the attack. Family members and colleagues described him as energetic, warm, and deeply committed to helping others.
Alex Kleytman, 87
Alex Kleytman, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor originally from Ukraine, was attending the Chanukah celebration with his wife, Larisa, when the shooting began.
According to his wife, Kleytman was killed while physically shielding her from gunfire. A retired civil engineer, he had endured the trauma of the Holocaust as a child before immigrating to Australia in search of a safer future.
Jewish social service organizations previously documented the suffering he and his family experienced during the war, noting that despite the horrors of his past, Kleytman devoted his later years to building a stable life and family in Australia.
Ongoing Investigation
Australian authorities said multiple investigative units remain involved in the probe, which is examining the attackers’ movements, motivations, and potential links to extremist networks. Officials said security protocols for large public events are under review in the wake of the massacre.
Leaders across Australia and the international Jewish community condemned the attack, calling it an act of terror aimed at civilians celebrating a religious holiday.
Memorials and vigils are being organized across Sydney and beyond as the country grapples with the scale of the loss and the devastating impact on families and the broader community.
{Matzav.com}
