The 14 victims of the Bondi terror attack targeting Sydney’s Jewish community have now been identified.
15 people were killed when two gunmen opened fire at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration on Bondi Beach marking the first day of Hanukkah. One of the shooters, a 50-year-old man, was also shot by police at the scene. The second alleged shooter, Naveed Akram, 24, has since woken up from his coma and has been charged with 59 offences.
The charges include 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of causing wounding/grievous bodily harm to a person with the intent to murder, discharging a firearm with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, cause a public display of a prohibited terrorist organisation’s symbol, placing an explosive in/near a building with the intent to cause harm, and committing a terrorist act.
The victims range from 10 to 87 years old and include a Holocaust survivor, faith leaders and volunteers. 22 people remain in hospitals across Sydney, including eight in critical condition.
GoFundMe pages set up for those affected by the Bondi shooting have so far raised over $4.7 million.
Here are the victims who have been named so far.
Adam Smyth
Adam Smyth, 50, was walking his dog alongside his wife, Katrina, when he was fatally shot during the Bondi terror attack.
“Adam and Katrina were walking at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening when they found themselves in the middle of the horrific and devastating attack,” Smyth’s family said in a statement provided by police.
“We are all trying to come to terms with the senseless shooting, of which Adam was a victim.
“No words can describe the pain of our loss.”
Smyth was a Bondi local and father of four children who had a passion for sports, who followed the English Premier League’s Liverpool, AFL’s Sydney Swans and NRL’s Manly Sea Eagles.
“We will forever cherish the time we have had with him. Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable,” the statement continued.
“You’ll never walk alone (YNWA).”
Boris Tetleroyd
Boris Tetleroyd, a Soviet immigrant and father, was also killed in the Bondi attack on Sunday. His niece Leia Roitour has started a GoFundMe page to support his widow and son, who was injured in the attack and remains in hospital.
“Our family is grieving the sudden and violent loss of a beloved husband and father in the Bondi attack,” she wrote.
“He was the primary provider for his wife, who is now facing life as a widow, and the father of a son who was injured in the same attack and is currently recovering in hospital.”
The page raised over $50,000 in its first 24 hours.
In a family statement, provided by NSW Police, Tetleroyd was “well known to his neighbours, deeply connected to our wider community and cherished by his family”.
“He was profoundly loved and adored by his sons Yaakov and Roman and by his wife Svetlana. He is also deeply loved by his brother, aunt, nieces, nephews, cousins and all who had the privilege of knowing him,” his family said.
“Boris was a gentle man, a gifted musician and a valued member of his community. We honour his life and the love he so generously gave to those around him.”
10-year-old Matilda
The 10-year-old girl killed in Sunday’s attack has been identified as Matilda, a “bright, joyful and spirited child who brought life to everyone around her”.
Her parents Michael and Valentyna, who immigrated to Australia from Ukraine over a decade ago, paid tribute to their 10-year-old daughter during a candlelit vigil at Bondi Pavilion on Tuesday night.
“I named her Matilda because she was our first Australian,” Michael said. “We came here from Ukraine and Matilda was my firstborn in Australia and I thought that Matilda is the most Australian name that could ever exist.”
Matilda’s language teacher, Irina Goodhew, launched a GoFundMe page on Monday morning for Matilda’s mother, which raised over $600,000 in the first two days.
“I was Matilda’s language teacher, and I knew her as a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her,” she wrote in the description. “Yesterday, while celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts.”
Matilda’s aunt Lina spoke to ABC News on behalf of the family on Monday and described Matilda as “just a happy kid” who loved school and had many friends.
Boris and Sofia Gurman
Boris, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61, were a Russian-Jewish couple living in North Bondi who were killed in the attacks.
Dashcam footage from a passing motorist showed Boris attempting to stop the incident in its early stages. He disarmed the shooter, grabbing his gun and charging at him, before he and his wife were both fatally shot and died in each other’s arms.
Their family shared a statement honouring the couple and said they would’ve celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in January.
“While nothing can lessen the pain of losing Boris and Sofia, we feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness. This encapsulates who Boris and Sofia were — people who instinctively and selflessly tried to help others,” they said.
In another statement from the family, provided by NSW Police, the Gurmans have been remembered for their “kindness, warmth and willingness to help others”.
“Boris was a retired mechanic, and Sofia was working at Australia Post for the past five years. They lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone with care and respect,” the family said.
“We are devastated by this loss and ask for privacy as we grieve. We are deeply grateful for the love and support shown to our family during this unimaginable time.”
Tibor Weitzen
Great-grandfather Tibor Weitzen, 78, died while trying to shield a family friend, who also lost her life. His grandson, Mendy Amzalak — who was one of the first responders at the scene — told The Australian his grandfather was a “man full of life, joy, smiles and laughter”.
“My family were there for the event and my wife called me, so I ran down to the beach with my defibrillator and the shooting was still going. I started treating people and then I came across his body,” he told the publication.
Yaakov Levitan
Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, a father of four who served as secretary of the Jewish institution Sydney Beth Din, also died. A fundraising page for his family said he was “a profoundly beloved and active member of the Sydney Jewish community”.
“He was a man of quiet devotion, known for his kindness and tireless work in assisting others, including his commitment to distributing tefillin as a sacred act of service,” the Charidy page detailed.
Edith Brutman
Edith Brutman, a devoted member of the Jewish community, was shot dead. She was the vice president of B’nai B’rith NSW, the state’s branch of the international Jewish community service organisation.
Ernie Friedlander, the president of the Alfred Dreyfus committee, told The Sydney Morning Herald that she was a “good, caring human being”.
“She was a very clever lady, and she was very, very passionate about dealing with prejudice and discrimination. She was always there, and she had very strong opinions,” he said.
Marika Pogany
Marika Pogany, 82, is being remembered as a dedicated volunteer and beloved member of Sydney’s Jewish community following her death.
In a statement provided by NSW Police, Pogany has been remembered as a “beautiful mother, grandmoter, sister, aunt and steadfast friend, whose warmth and energy touched countless lives”.
“Vibrant and full of life, she brought joy and energy into every room and found her greatest happiness surrounded by her adoring family. Her darling son Romy was her greatest achievement and her world,” thefamily said.
“Marika was fortunate to have the opportunity to come to Australia in 1968 from Czechoslovakia with Romy lovingly accompanied by her protector, her brother Ivan. She became an Australian citizen in 1972 where she embraced her life as an Aussie from that point on. She was very proud of her country.
“She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people. Her kindness, laughter, and generosity left a lasting mark on everyone she met, and her incredible network of friends was a true reflection of the love and loyalty she inspired.
“Deeply devoted to her community, she gave her time and heart in service to others, delivering meals and helping people in need, embodying love in action.
“Though she is gone, her light will continue to shine brightly through the family and friends who were so blessed to have her in their lives. Forever our gorgeous Darlink.”
Sydney COA, a volunteer service for Jewish seniors, said they were “shattered by her loss” and described her as a “truly remarkable and wonderful woman”.
Peter Meagher
Former police officer Peter Meagher, also known as Marzo, has been identified as one of the victims of the Bondi terror attack. He was a longtime member of the Randwick Rugby Club, who shared a statement on Monday confirming his death.
“’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,” they said in a statement to rugby.com.au.
The Facebook page Support Grassroots Rugby posted that the beloved rugby volunteer had “made a career out of his hobby photography after retirement” and was in Bondi on assignment.
“Peter not only served our country [by] upholding our safety and laws. He actively gave back to society through his love of our sport, giving tirelessly,” they wrote.
Alexander Kleytman
Alexander Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor, has also been identified as one of the victims. His wife, Larisa Kleytman, announced his death to reporters outside St Vincent’s Hospital.
“We were standing and suddenly came the ‘boom boom’, and everybody fell down,” she told The Australian. “At this moment he 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.”
Kleytman’s family remembered him for his “unwavering spirit”, acknowledging that at times he could be “very stubborn”.
“Born in 1938, he survived the hardships of World War II in frozen Siberia, carrying with him a lifetime of extraordinary stories of resilience, survival, and unexpected luck. He worked as a civil engineer and estimator his entire life, first in the former Soviet Union and then in Australia. He retired in Australia at 76 and worked on many essential projects at Transfield and John Holland, including the Desalination plant, the Olympic stadium, and various highways. He was very valued at his work, and we received many emails and photographs from his colleagues during these dark times,” his family said in a statement provided by NSW Police.
“After he retired, he first became a lobbyist, passionately advocating against some aspects of the Sydney Light Rail. Then he found his real passion: writing books about the lives of Jewish people in the Soviet Union. He published two books: Relay of Memory: Known and Unknown Jews and Stalin’s Bloody Five-Year Plan 1948-1953 (the latter was co-authored with my mum, Larisa). These books, grounded in thorough research, were embraced by the community and presented at many public events.
“He played table tennis and chess with passion and enthusiasm throughout his life and was a school champion. He loved his wife, Larisa, with unparalleled passion, the kind you only see in the movies. He and Mum loved to dance and were quite good, winning a dancing competition at work,” the statement continued.
“Alex discovered Judaism in his 50s and became observant after immigrating to Australia, where he married Larisa AGAIN on the 25th anniversary of their civil wedding, but this time according to Jewish law. Equally, he cherished Australia, the Australian way of life, the freedom, democracy, people, all of it. In his presence, no one could ever criticise anything about his beloved new home.
“Alex tragically died on 14 December 2025, doing what he loved most: protecting Larisa, standing proudly as a Jew, and celebrating the Festival of Lights. The two gunmen killed him, but his memories, his legacy, and his books will bring light for generations to come. He’s survived by his wife, two children and 11 grandchildren.
“Loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and a passionate professional across many fields, you touched so many lives. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.”
Dan Elkayam
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced on X (formerly Twitter) that French national Dan Elkayam, in his 20s, was among the victims.
“This ignoble act is a new, tragic manifestation of an outrageous outpouring of antisemitic hatred to which we must put a stop,” he wrote in the translated post. “France will spare no effort to root out antisemitism wherever it emerges, and to combat terrorism in all its forms.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has also posted a statement on X saying his thoughts are with Elkayam’s family and loved ones.
“I express to them the full solidarity of the nation,” he added.
Elkayam’s family claimed he was shot in the back while trying to run away from the attack, and have remembered him for his “gentle, kind, fun and loving nature”.
“He leaves behind his partner in Australia, as well as his parents, brothers, nieces, and nephews in Paris, France, where he was born and raised. He was deeply proud of his community back home in Le Bourget,” the family said in a statement provided by police.
“Dan was a 27-year-old IT engineer who was working and being sponsored by NBCUniversal. He was beginning to build his future in Australia, a country he loved.
“Football was one of Dan’s greatest passions. He played at the 2022 Maccabiah Games and for several teams in both France and Australia, including Waverley and Rockdale, and was in the process of signing with Dolls Point.
“Dan loved life — fully and intensely. He travelled the world and was known for his gentle, kind, fun and loving nature, making friends wherever he went. Alongside football, he had a deep connection with nature. He was a certified scuba diver and an explorer at heart, always eager to discover new places, cultures, and experiences.
“Dan brought light wherever he went and inspired countless people through the way he lived. His smile could light up any room. He was pure joy – a beautiful and humble soul.
“To say that Dan will be missed is not enough. He was a person who truly wanted to do good in the world, to share his love of life and his sense of adventure with everyone around him.
“It is now our responsibility to carry forward the light that Dan spread. He was surrounded by loved ones from all walks of life and all communities, and in times as dark as these, we all have a duty to continue spreading kindness, compassion, and joy — in his name.”
Reuven Morrison
Businessman Reuven Morrison, who emigrated to Australia from the former Soviet Union in the 1970s, is also among those who were killed.
Rabbi Gabi Kaltman described Morrison as the “most beautiful, generous man who had a gorgeous smile that would light up the room”.
“A refugee that came from the former Soviet Union, he built a life here in Australia for his family and was an active member and generous contributor to both Melbourne and Sydney Jewish communities,” Kaltman told the ABC.
Reuven’s daughter Sheina Gutnick identified her father as the man seen in widely shared footage appearing to hurl bricks at one of the attackers.
“I believe after Ahmed managed to get the gun off the terrorist, my father had then gone to try and unjam the gun, to try and attempt shooting. He was screaming at the terrorist,” she told CBS News.
“My dear father, Reuven Morrison was shot dead for being Jewish at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach while protecting lives, while jumping up, putting his own life at risk to save his fellow Jewish community members.”
Eli Schlanger
London-born rabbi and father-of-five Eli Schlanger, 41, was one of the first victims to be named by the ABC. He and his wife, Chayala, celebrated the birth of their youngest child in October.
Schlanger was assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, and was described by his cousin Rabbi Zalman Lewis as “vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm outgoing person who loved to help people”.
“How can a joyful rabbi who went to a beach to spread happiness and light, to make the world a better place, have his life ended in this way?” he told Jewish News.
The remaining victims is yet to be identified, although Israel’s foreign ministry has said an unnamed Israeli citizen was among those killed.
What happened to the heroic man who disarmed the Bondi shooter?
Ahmed al Ahmed, a heroic father-of-two who disarmed one of the gunmen, is recovering in hospital after he was shot twice.
His cousin Mustafa told 7NEWS that the 43-year-old fruit shop owner received wounds to his arm and hand and is currently awaiting surgery at St George’s Hospital.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has since visited al Ahmed in hospital and a fundraiser set up to support him and his family surged past an extraordinary $1.76M in less than 24 hours.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said during his press conference that 42 people were in NSW hospitals overnight receiving treatment. Two police officers sustained gunshot wounds and are both in a serious but stable condition.
The incident, which has officially been declared a terrorist attack, is Australia’s worst mass shooting in 29 years.
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