Sydney Mourns as Funerals Begin for Bondi Beach Mass Shooting Victims, Including a Child and a Holocaust Survivor

Australia entered a period of profound national mourning this week as the first funerals were held for victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting, a terror attack that claimed 15 lives during a Hanukkah celebration and left more than 40 others injured. Among those laid to rest were a 10‑year‑old girl remembered as “a ray of sunshine,” and a Holocaust survivor who had once escaped genocide only to be killed in an act of antisemitic violence in modern-day Australia.

The attack, carried out on Sunday by two alleged gunmen—a father and son—shocked the nation and intensified concerns about rising extremism and antisemitism. Police have charged the surviving suspect, 24‑year‑old Naveed Akram, with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and terrorism-related charges. His father, 50‑year‑old Sajid Akram, was killed at the scene during a shootout with police.

A Child Farewelled: “Our Little Ray of Sunshine”

Hundreds of mourners gathered in Sydney on Thursday for the funeral of 10‑year‑old Matilda, the youngest victim of the attack. Her family requested that her surname not be released to protect their privacy.

A small white coffin was carried from the synagogue as mourners wept, clutching teddy bears, bright bouquets, and bumblebee‑shaped balloons—symbols of the cheerful, animal‑loving girl who had been enjoying a petting zoo at the Hanukkah event moments before the shooting began.

Teachers described her as “our little ray of sunshine,” a child who made friends easily and brought warmth to every room she entered.

Australia’s Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, attended the service and embraced grieving relatives, calling the loss “unbearable for any community, let alone one already targeted by hate.”

A Holocaust Survivor Laid to Rest

On the same day, mourners also gathered to honour Alexander (Alex) Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor whose life story embodied resilience and survival across generations.

Kleytman, who had survived Nazi persecution as a child, died while shielding his wife from gunfire during the attack, according to family members. His funeral was held at Sydney’s Chevra Kadisha, where relatives spoke of a man who had “endured the worst of humanity, yet lived with hope.”

Rabbinical leaders described his death as a “cruel and bitter irony,” noting that a man who survived one of history’s darkest chapters was killed in an antisemitic attack in 2025.

A Community in Grief and a Nation in Shock

The funerals mark the beginning of what is expected to be several days of services for the 15 victims, including Rabbi Eli Schlanger, whose funeral was held on Wednesday at a Bondi synagogue.

Vigils have taken place across Sydney, with swimmers gathering at dawn along Bondi Beach and thousands visiting a growing floral memorial near the Bondi Pavilion.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to overhaul Australia’s gun laws, calling the attack “a national tragedy that demands national action.” Proposed measures include stricter limits on gun ownership, more frequent licence reviews, and restricting firearm possession to Australian citizens.

Authorities are also investigating potential extremist motivations and possible links to the Islamic State, though no formal connection has yet been confirmed.

A Long Road Ahead

As families continue to bury their loved ones, community leaders warn that the emotional and political aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack will be long‑lasting.

Jewish organizations have called for stronger protections and a national strategy to combat antisemitism. Mental health services across New South Wales have expanded support for survivors, witnesses, and first responders.

For now, Sydney remains united in grief.

“Fifteen lives were stolen,” said Rabbi Yehoram Ulman at one of the services. “But we will honour them by standing together—stronger, louder, and more committed to peace than those who tried to silence us.”