The city of Sydney was cloaked in grief on Thursday as family, friends, and community members said their final goodbyes to Matilda, the 10-year-old girl tragically killed in Sunday’s Bondi Beach shooting. Matilda, the youngest of 15 victims in the attack on a Hanukkah celebration, was remembered not for the horror that ended her life but for the joy and love she brought to everyone around her.
At her funeral, Matilda’s aunt, Lina Chernykh, spoke with heartfelt emotion, urging the community not to allow her niece’s death to fuel anger or hatred. “Take your anger and… just spread happiness and love and memory for my lovely niece,” she said, adding, “I hope maybe she’s an angel now. Maybe she will send some good vibes to the world.” Her words reflected a call for hope and compassion amidst unspeakable tragedy.
The Bondi Beach attack, which has been described as Australia’s deadliest incident since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, targeted a joyous community gathering. Jewish leaders have highlighted the rising tide of antisemitism in Australia, suggesting that society must confront this challenge to prevent future tragedies. The shooting has prompted national conversations about hate, safety, and the urgent need for action.
Mourners at the service included prominent figures such as Governor General Sam Mostyn and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, who paid tribute with symbols of Matilda’s favorite things, including bee brooches and stickers. Her parents, Michael and Valentyna, named her after the iconic song Waltzing Matilda, honoring the country that offered their Ukrainian family safety. “She’s waltzing with the angels,” Minns read from a poem dedicated to her memory.
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, who led the service, struggled to contain his emotions as he reflected on Matilda’s brief but meaningful life. He reminded the community that, while death is painful, separation from loved ones is not eternal in Jewish belief. In a moment of shared sorrow, Rabbi Ulman acknowledged the depth of the tragedy, particularly as he had also delivered a eulogy for his own son-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, another victim of the attack.
The family’s devastation was palpable. Lina Chernykh spoke of Matilda’s younger sister, who had been inseparable from her, now left bewildered and heartbroken. “She doesn’t have enough tears to cry,” she said, capturing the overwhelming grief experienced by those closest to the young girl.
Thursday also saw the funerals of the attack’s oldest victims. Alexander Kleytman, 87, a Holocaust survivor, was remembered for his courage, faith, and dedication to protecting his wife during the attack. Likewise, 78-year-old Tibor Weitzen was honored for his unwavering love and commitment to family. Both funerals were somber reminders of lives filled with resilience, strength, and the enduring human spirit.
Authorities have officially designated the Bondi attack as a terrorist incident. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the attack appears to have been motivated by Islamic State ideology. Police report that the two gunmen were father and son, with the father shot dead at the scene and the son charged with multiple offenses, including murder and committing a terrorist act. Two of the 16 injured remain in critical condition.
In response to this tragedy, Australia announced plans to strengthen laws aimed at combating hate, including powers to cancel or refuse visas based on antisemitic behavior. Amid sorrow and mourning, the message from Matilda’s family resonates clearly: even in the face of unimaginable loss, the community must spread love, kindness, and hope—keeping her memory alive as an inspiration for all.