Community Mourns Bondi Shooting Victim Matilda

The tragic death of 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of a recent shooting in Bondi, has prompted her family to call for love and unity rather than anger in the community. Matilda was one of 15 individuals killed when gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Remembering a Joyous Spirit

During her funeral, Matilda’s aunt, Lina Chernykh, emphasized the need for action against rising antisemitism while also honoring Matilda’s legacy of love. “Matilda was a joyous child who spread love everywhere she went,” she shared, urging the community to continue this spirit in her memory.

“Take your anger and… just spread happiness and love and memory for my lovely niece,” Ms. Chernykh said, expressing hope that Matilda is now an angel spreading positivity in the world.

Leaders of the Jewish community have voiced concerns that such tragedies are symptomatic of a larger issue with antisemitism in Australia. The attack, which has been described as the deadliest incident in the country since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, has left many grappling with the implications of rising hate.

A Touching Farewell

The funeral service witnessed a strong turnout, featuring notable attendees such as the Governor-General Sam Mostyn and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns. Many mourners wore bee brooches and stickers in tribute to Matilda, who cherished these symbols. Her parents, Michael and Valentyna, named her after the iconic Australian song “Waltzing Matilda,” reflecting their gratitude for finding refuge in the country.

Premier Minns poignantly remarked, “She’s waltzing with the angels,” as he read a heartfelt poem in her honor.

Words of Comfort and Shared Grief

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman led the service, his voice breaking as he honored Matilda’s brief but impactful life. He described the heartbreak felt by all around her. “The tragic, so totally cruel, unfathomable murder of young Matilda is something to all of us as if our own daughter was taken from us,” he said, reflecting on the profound loss.

Rabbi Ulman also shared comforting beliefs from the Jewish faith, affirming that death is not the end and that connections endure beyond this life. However, he recognized the difficulty of finding solace in the midst of such grief, particularly since he had delivered a eulogy the previous day for his own son-in-law, who was also killed in the attack.

“You give me strength at a time when you need strength yourselves. And I try to do the same,” he told Matilda’s heartbroken parents.

A Family in Mourning

Lina Chernykh shared her devastation over the loss, emphasizing the deep pain Matilda’s parents are enduring. “I look at their faces and I don’t know if they will ever be happy again,” she expressed. Matilda’s younger sister, with whom she was inseparable, has been left heartbroken and amid confusion. “She doesn’t have enough tears to cry,” Chernykh added.

On the same day, the family also mourned Alex Kleytman, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, who was another victim of the shooting. His family stated he died while protecting his wife and celebrating their Jewish faith, leaving behind a legacy that will illuminate generations to come.

Police Response and Future Actions

Authorities have classified the Bondi attack as a terrorist incident, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noting the incident appears to be driven by ideology linked to the Islamic State group. Allegations state that the attackers were a father and son duo. While 50-year-old Sajid Akram was killed at the scene, his 24-year-old son, Naveed, faces multiple charges, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.

In response to the shooting, Australian officials announced plans to strengthen laws against hate crimes, including potential measures to cancel or refuse visas on the grounds of antisemitism.