Victims of Bondi Beach Massacre: What We Know So Far

They were rabbis and grandfathers, Holocaust survivors and school children, retired detectives and young athletes. They came to Bondi Beach on Sunday evening to watch the first candle of Chanukah be lit against the backdrop of the ocean.

Instead, their lives were extinguished in a senseless act of terror that has left the Australian Jewish community, and the world, reeling.

Fifteen people were murdered during the “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration. While the terrorists sought to bring darkness, the stories of the victims reveal lives defined by light, service, and an unyielding commitment to their families and faith.

Among the stories of loss, one act of supreme heroism stands as a testament to the endurance of the Jewish spirit.

Alex Kleytman Hy’d, 87

Alex had already survived the darkest chapter of human history. A Holocaust survivor, he rebuilt his life in Australia, raising a family that surrounded him on the beach this Sunday to celebrate the festival of lights.

When the gunfire erupted, interrupting the joy of the evening, Kleytman’s instinct was not self-preservation, but love. According to his wife, Larisa, the 87-year-old made a split-second decision that defined his character. Amidst the chaos, Alex physically raised himself up, using his own body as a shield to cover Larisa. He took the bullets intended for his family, sacrificing his life to save his wife.

He survived the horrors of the 20th century only to fall in 2025, but he died as he lived: a protector of his people and a guardian of his family.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger Hy’d, 41

Rabbi Schlanger was the organizer of “Chanukah by the Sea” and served as the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. A native of London and father of five, Schlanger was known for his infectious humor and dynamic energy. In the face of rising antisemitism, he refused to retreat. Just last year, he danced out of his home with a menorah to show that the only response to hate was to “be more Jewish, act more Jewish, and appear more Jewish.” He died doing exactly what he loved: bringing his community together to celebrate their identity.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan Hy’d

A pillar of religious life in the city, Rabbi Levitan served as the secretary of the Sydney Beth Din and worked at the BINA Center. He was a popular coordinator of Chabad activities, working behind the scenes to ensure the spiritual infrastructure of the community remained strong. Colleagues remember him as a dedicated public servant of the Jewish people.

Tibor Weitzen Hy’d, 78

Known affectionately to the children of his shul as the “Lollypop Man,” Tibor Weitzen was an Israeli grandfather whose pockets were always full of sweets and whose heart was full of kindness. In a tragic twist of fate, he was identified at the scene by his own grandson, a first responder. Witnesses say Weitzen was murdered while trying to protect others, a final act of care from a man who loved his community.

Marika Pogany Hy’d, 82

Marika was a dedicated volunteer, she was recognized in 2022 for a staggering achievement: delivering 12,000 kosher Meals on Wheels packages over the course of two decades. She spent her life ensuring others were fed and cared for, and she died surrounded by the community she served so faithfully.

Reuven Morrison Hy’d

A beloved businessman who split his time between Melbourne and Sydney, Morrison was a fixture in the Chabad community. He is remembered as a bridge between the two cities, a man of warmth and commerce who was devoted to his people.

Peter Meagher

A retired Detective Sergeant with the NSW Police, Peter Meagher had spent 34 years serving the public before retiring to pursue his passion for photography. A member of the Randwick Rugby Club, he was at the beach not to police, but to capture the joy of the festival on assignment. He was documenting the light when the darkness fell.

Dan Elkayam Hy’d, 27
A French national, Dan Elkayam had a bright future ahead of him. He was a talented soccer player for the Rockdale Ilinden Football Club, known for his athleticism and spirit. He was just 27 years old, a young man far from home who had found community in Sydney.

“Matilda,” Hy’d 10

The youngest identified victim, 10-year-old Matilda was a student at the Harmony Russian School of Sydney. She was at the beach to enjoy a summer evening with her family, a child whose life was stolen before it had truly begun.

An Unnamed Child Hy’d, 12

New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed the death of another child, aged 12, whose name has not yet been released. Their loss adds to the unbearable weight of a tragedy that targeted families at play.

In the aftermath of the massacre, stories of survival have emerged that honor the spirit of those lost. Vlad, a chaplain who shielded his 8-year-old son in the sand, vowed to go home and light his menorah despite the horror.
“Keep the show going,” he said. “We are not afraid.”