Funeral of hero couple Boris and Sofia Gurman
Mourners help carry the coffins of Boris and Sofia Gurman following the funeral service at Chevra Kadisha memorial hall, Sydney.Credit: Getty Images
Family and friends say goodbye to Boris and Sofia Gurman.Credit: Janie Barrett
Hundreds of people gathered to remember the couple on Friday, spilling onto the pavement outside the memorial hall.
“Boris and Sofia were taken away from us not just because they were Jewish, but because they fought to be Jewish,” said the rabbi, who is also the father-in-law of Bondi victim Rabbi Eli Schlanger.
“The world saw the footage of, I think they were the first to go. They saw a terrorist pull out his gun and boldly attack him only to be tragically killed by the second gun.”
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The statement, written by the couple’s son Alex and read by Ulman, described the two as “partners in every sense” who built a life full of “warmth, effort and love.”
Sofia had a “natural authority” about her and was very decisive within the family. The extended family knew and looked forward to her traditional Soviet wafer cake every year.
Boris was a mischievous young man but matured into a responsible, caring man who loved his garden, including the banana tree, lemons and peppers he shared with his neighbour.
“Sofia and Boris showed us what family really means,” Ulman said.
The funerals of two other Bondi victims, Edith Brutman and Boris Tetleroyd, were due to be held at Lidcombe’s Rookwood Cemetery on Friday afternoon.
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