Bondi Beach shooting victims remembered in heartbreaking family tributes

Families of the seven victims of Sunday’s deadly attack at Bondi Beach expressed their deep sorrow and shared touching memories in heartbreaking statements about their loved ones on Thursday.

At least 15 people died in a deadly terrorist attack on Hanukkah celebrations at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. Authorities identified the attackers as a father-son duo and believe the attack was inspired by ISIS.

While the father died at the scene, his son was shot by the police and taken to the hospital. He was accused of dozens of charges, including 15 murders.

POĞAN FAMILY

Marika Pogany, 82, was a member of COA Sydney, a volunteer service for Jewish elders.

“Marika, affectionately known to all as Omi, was a beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and devoted friend whose warmth and energy touched countless lives,” her family wrote. “Vibrant and full of life, she brought joy and energy to every room and found her greatest happiness when surrounded by her loving family. Her beloved son, Romy, was her greatest accomplishment and world.”

His family said Pogany came to Australia from Czechoslovakia with his son and brother in 1968 and became a “proud” Australian citizen in 1972.

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“He had an extraordinary ability to connect with people,” his family said. “His kindness, laughter and generosity left a lasting mark on everyone he met, and his incredible network of friends was a true reflection of the love and loyalty he inspired.

“He was deeply committed to his community, dedicating his time and heart to serving others, delivering meals and helping people in need, putting love into action.”

Pogany’s family added, “Although he is gone, his light will continue to shine brightly among the family and friends who are so lucky to have him in their lives. Forever our amazing Darlink.”

Adam Smyth, 50, a father of four, was killed during the attack on Bondi Beach.

SMYTH FAMILY

Adam Smyth, 50, was a father of four and husband to Katrina. The couple found themselves in the middle of the attack while walking on Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, their family said.

“No words can express the pain of our loss,” Smyth’s family wrote. “Adam and Katrina were living their best life together. Their shared love of family and friends, travel and sports – even if it wasn’t always the same team – made their time together truly special.”

Smyth loved many sports clubs, including English Premier League football team Liverpool.

“We will forever cherish the time we spent with him. Adam was a generous and kind person who will be greatly missed and forever irreplaceable,” his family wrote, adding: “You will never walk alone.”

Boris and Sofia Gurman were killed in a shooting attack on Bondi Beach on December 14. (NSW Police)

GURMAN FAMILY

Boris Gurman, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61, were a Russian-Jewish couple who confronted one of the gunmen before the attack began, momentarily disarming the attacker and then grabbing another rifle and killing them.

The Gurman family wrote that the couple would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in January and would have celebrated Sophia’s birthday just days after the attack; “This moment now feels incredibly difficult to understand.”

“Boris and Sofia were deeply committed to their family and were known in their community for their kindness, warmth and willingness to help others.” “Boris was a retired mechanic and Sofia had worked for Australia Post for the last five years. They lived honest, hard-working lives and treated everyone with care and respect.”

“We are deeply grateful for the love and support shown to our family during this unimaginable time,” they added.

ELKAYAM FAMILY

Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French citizen, was playing football and celebrating the lighting of the Hannukah Candles on Bondi Beach.

“During a mass shooting, Dan was shot in the back while trying to escape,” Elkayam’s family wrote. “He was killed because he was a Jew.”

Elkayam played football at the 2022 Maccabiah Games and for various teams in both France and Australia.

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27-year-old French national Dan Elkayam was killed in the attack on Bondi Beach on December 14.

“Dan loved life fully and intensely,” his family said. “He traveled the world and was known for his kind, gentle, fun and loving nature, making friends wherever he went. Besides 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.”

Elkayam’s family said his smile “could light up any room” and that he was “someone who truly wanted to do good in the world.”

“It is now our responsibility to carry forward the light that Dan spread,” his family said. “He was surrounded by loved ones from all walks of life and every community, and in such dark times we all have a duty to continue to spread kindness, compassion and joy in his name.”

Boris Tetleroyd, killed in the Bondi Beach shooting, has been remembered as a “kind man” by his family.

TETLEROYD FAMILY

Boris Tetleroyd was “loved by everyone he met”, his family said.

“He was much loved and adored by his sons Yaakov and Roman and his wife Svetlana,” they continued. “He is also much loved by his brother, aunt, nieces, nephews, cousins ​​and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Tetteleroyd’s family added that he was a “kind man” and a “talented musician”.

Alex Kleytman, 87, was a Ukrainian Holocaust survivor killed in the Bondi Beach attack. (NSW Police)

KLEYTMAN FAMILY

Alex Kleytman, 87, was a Ukrainian Holocaust survivor. He was celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach with his wife of 57 years, Larisa Kleytman, also a Holocaust survivor, when the shooting began.

“He was a fascinating person with many talents and an unwavering spirit,” his family wrote, adding that he was also “very stubborn.”

Kleytman “survived the hardships of World War II in frozen Siberia, carrying with him a lifetime of stories of extraordinary endurance, survival and unlikely luck” and worked as a civil engineer and estimator, first in the former Soviet Union and then in Australia.

His family said he died “doing what he loved most, protecting Larisa, standing proudly as a Jew and celebrating the Festival of Lights.”

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“Two gunmen killed him, but his memories, legacy and books will shed light on future generations,” his family added.

Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg and Rachel Wolf contributed to this report.