Bondi victim, 10, ‘an angel now’ as funeral held | World | News
Hundreds of people gathered at a Jewish memorial center in Australia to remember Matilda, aged just 10, the youngest victim of the Bondi attack.
Matilda was one of 15 other innocent victims killed while attending the Jewish Hanukkah by the Sea event at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach on Sunday.
Matilda’s aunt, Lina Chernykh, told the BBC at the little girl’s funeral on Thursday that the Jewish community was right to call for more action to stamp out antisemitism.
“Let out your anger and… just spread happiness, love and memory for my beloved niece,” she said, adding, “I hope she’s an angel now. Maybe she [will] Send good energies to the world.”
The same aunt had announced earlier in the week that Matilda died in front of her sister’s eyes in Sunday’s attack.
Matilda’s aunt Lina said earlier this week: “Imagine seeing your beautiful little sister, whom you loved, murdered in front of you. They were like twins. They were never separated.”
Matilda’s funeral is one of several funerals to be held on Thursday for those killed at Bondi Beach on Sunday. At the time of this writing, the funeral of 78-year-old Tibor Weitzen had just begun.
It was reported Sunday that he died while protecting his loved ones from harm as they passed from this life to the next.
His family described him as full of life. ABCand he will be remembered as a much-loved father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His grandson, Leor Amzalak, described his grandfather as: “The best you could really ask for… He was so proud of us… and loved us more than life itself.”
He added: “He only saw the best in people and will be greatly missed.”
The Chabad mission describes him as a “loved man” who “brought joy and smiles to everyone.”
He immigrated to Australia from Israel in 1988.
The family of 27-year-old French national Dan Elkayam made a statement after the football player died on Sunday.
“On December 14, 2025, the first night of Hanukkah, Dan was at the beach with friends to light Hannukah Candles. He was playing football, celebrating the holiday, and enjoying a sunny summer day at Bondi Beach,” his family said in a statement to The Express.
“Dan loved life completely and intensely. He traveled the world and was known for his kind, gentle, fun and loving nature, making friends wherever he went. In addition to football, he also had a deep connection with nature. He was a certified scuba diver and an explorer at heart, always eager to explore new places, cultures and experiences.”
They added: “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 every community, and in such dark times, it is incumbent on all of us to continue to spread kindness, compassion and joy in his name.”
Elkayam outperforms its Australian partner. He will be remembered by his parents, brothers, nieces and nephews in Paris, France, where he was born and raised.
“He was deeply proud of his hometown community.” [the Paris commune of] Le Bourget,” his family added in a statement.
The memorial service for the victims of Sunday’s shootings was held the day after one of the alleged gunmen was charged with 59 offenses after he and his father opened fire on a crowd at Bondi Beach. Naveed Akram, 24, is accused of firing shots that killed 15 people after opening fire at the Jewish Chanukah By The Sea event on Sunday, December 14.
Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by the police.
