Holocaust survivors and children among the 15 killed after crazed gunmen fire on Sydney Hanukkah celebration
Children and a Holocaust survivor were among the 15 people killed Sunday when a pair of deranged gunmen opened fire on a crowded Australian beach where thousands of local Jews had gathered to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.
The victims range in age from 10 to 87, Australian authorities confirmed, and include religious leaders, devoted friends and beloved family members.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” said New South Wales Premier Chris Minns.
The shooting broke out Sunday evening on Bondi Beach, a popular tourist destination in Sydney where a massive crowd from the local Jewish community was holding a Hanukkah celebration.
But the celebratory beach outing quickly turned into terror when a hateful father and son — Naveed Akram, 24, and his 50-year-old father — showed up with shotguns, a rifle, and a car full of explosives and started shooting at anybody in sight.
Screams mingled with the gunfire as the attack went on for 10 terrifying minutes, and it only stopped after a local fruit seller — 43-year-old Ahmed al-Ahmed — tackled Akram to the ground and wrestled the gun from his hands. The gunman father was killed by police, while his son was wounded and hospitalized in custody.
And with nearly 40 people wounded, the death toll could continue to rise in the coming days. Below are the victims known so far:
Matilda, 10
The youngest victim was identifed as 10-year-old Matilda, according to a GoFundMe set up by her language teacher.
“I was Matilda’s language teacher, and I knew her as a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her. Yesterday, while celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts,” wrote Irina Goodhew.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger
Schlanger, 41, was the beloved assistant rabbi at Sydney’s Chabad of Bondi.
A father of five, he had just welcomed the birth of a baby boy around October.
He was originally from the UK, and came from a family of Jewish leaders. His cousin is a rabbi in England, as was his great-uncle.
Family remembered him as “joyful” and “vivacious.”
Alex Kleytman
Kleytman survived the mechanized murder of millions of Jews in World War II, but was gunned down while protecting his wife in the land where he fled for refuge years ago.
Born in Ukraine, Kleytman wound up in Siberia during the chaos of the 1940s and spent his childhood battling to stay alive on a daily basis.
“Alexander faced the unspeakable terror of the Holocaust. Alex’s memories are particularly harrowing; recalling the dreadful conditions in Siberia where he, along with his mother and younger brother, struggled for survival,” the Australian charity JewishCare said in a 2023 report.
“The scars of the past, ?however, did not deter them from seeking a brighter future. They later made the move to Australia, immigrating from Ukraine,” the report added, noting his wife, Larissa, also escaped Europe after the war.
Decades later, Alexander was killed defending his wife of 57 years from the bloodthirsty gunmen on Bondi Beach.
“[Alex] was behind me and at one moment he decided to go close to me. He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me,” Larissa said after the massacre, describing hearing “boom, boom” erupting across the beach before her husband threw her to the ground for cover.
Kleytman was struck and killed as he lay on top of his wife.
“I have no husband,” Larissa told the Australian.
Rabbi Yaakov Levitan
Levitan was a Jewish leader in Sydney, and held positions at numerous organizations, according to Chabad.
Reuven Morrison
A USSR native, Morrison became an active member of the Jewish community in both Sydney and Melbourne when he moved to Australia, Chabad.org reported.
He left behind a wife and daughter.
Dan Elkaymann
Elkaymann, a French native, was killed on Bondi Beach.
“This low act is a new, tragic manifestation of a revolting outpouring of antisemitic hatred that we must put a stop to,” French Foreign Minister Jean-No?l Barrot wrote on X, confirming Elkaymann’s death.
“France will spare no effort to eradicate antisemitism wherever it is emerges, and to combat antisemitism in all its forms,” he added. “The light of Hanukkah must not be extinguished and they will not be.”
Peter Meagher
Peter “Marzo” Meagher, a retired New South Wales police officer, was working as a freelance photographer at the Chanukah By the Sea event when he was shot dead.
“In his professional life, Peter served for almost 4 decades in the NSW Police Force and retired as a Detective Sergeant, where he was hugely respected by his Police colleagues,” the Randwick Rugby Club, where Meagher volunteered, said in a statement on Monday.
“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.”
The devastated club remembered Meagher as a “much loved figure and absolute legend” who spent much of the last decade as their “trusted” first grade manager and “loyal club volunteer.”
He previously served as a “highly respected” long-term referee, according to the statement.
“‘Marzo’ as he was universally known, was a much loved figure and absolute legend in our club, with decades of voluntary involvement, he was one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby,” the club said.
“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. Rest in Peace ‘Marzo’ — We all love you and will miss you greatly. We are devastated.”
He leaves behind his wife, Virginia, and four brothers.
Tibor Weitzen
Tibor Weitzen, 78, was a member of Bondi’s Chabad Synagogue and was attending the Hanukkah event with his wife and grandchildren when he was killed, 9News reported.
His granddaughter described him as a “sweet grandpa” known as his congregation’s “beloved candyman” for his ability to bring joy and smiles to the Chabad.
“Just devastating. Honestly, I’ve got no words,” she told the outlet.
Marika Pogany
Marika Pogany, 82, was the daughter of a Holocaust survivor who spent her life in service to the Jewish community.
Slovakia’s former President Zuzana ?aputová said in a Facebook post that she was friends with Pogany, who moved to Australia in hope of a better life free from violence.
“Sydney was a safe haven for her, away from fascism and communism,” ?aputová said of her late friend.
“Marika was an extraordinary woman, she lived her life to the fullest, very active, she knew how to enjoy life. In the last message that Marika sent me, she wrote, among other things: “Life is a struggle and you have to take it as it is,” ?aputová added.
In 2022, Meals on Wheels of Australia awarded Pogany and fellow volunteers for their work delivering 12,000 kosher meals in the program over the course of 20 years.
