Bondi Beach terror leaves British Rabbi, elderly Holocaust survivors and children dead

Famed Australian rabbi Eli Schlanger, who just welcomed newborn son, among 15 killed in Bondi Beach (Image: -)

The first victims of the devastating Bondi beach shooting, which Australian police and officials are describing as a terrorist attack, have been named as the death toll rises to 16.

More than 40 people were wounded when gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration, with 38 remaining in hospital, five of whom are in critical condition.

London-born rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, first victim to be identified

According to the Guardian Media Group, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a 41-year-old father-of-five originally from London, was the first victim to be named. Schlanger, who was the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi, a Jewish cultural centre, was described by his first cousin, Rabbi Zalman Lewis, as "vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm outgoing person who loved to help people."

Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told the ABC that Schlanger was "a person who personified goodness and godliness and holiness, a person who lived literally for no reason other than to do good deeds." Rabbi Yossi Friedman said Schlanger was a "wonderful community man", who was "just full of light" and "so positive and so obsessed with life and just bringing joy to everyone."

Holocaust survivors Alexander and Larisa Kleytman among the dead

Alexander Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor, was also killed in the attack, according to his wife Larisa Kleytman, who spoke to reporters outside St Vincent's Hospital. The couple, who immigrated to Australia from Ukraine, had recounted their harrowing experiences during the Holocaust to JewishCare in 2023.

"As children, both Larisa and Alexander faced the unspeakable terror of the Holocaust. Alex's memories are particularly harrowing; the dreadful conditions in Siberia where he, along with his mother and younger brother, struggled for survival," the Australian Jewish health provider's 2022/23 annual report reads. "The scars of the past, however, did not deter them from seeking a brighter future. They later made the move to Australia, immigrating from Ukraine."

French national Dan Elkayam and former Soviet emigrant Reuven Morrison also killed

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that French national Dan Elkayam was among the victims, expressing solidarity with his family, loved ones, the Jewish community, and the Australian people. "This low act is a new, tragic manifestation of a revolting outpouring of antisemitic hatred that we must put a stop to," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "France will spare no effort to eradicate antisemitism wherever it is emerges, and to combat antisemitism in all its forms. The lights of Hanukah must not be extinguished and they will not be."

Elkayam was a member of Arncliffe Aurora Football Club, in southern Sydney, and was on their premier league squad for the upcoming 2026 season. "Dan was a valued and deeply respected member of our football community. Our hearts are with his family, friends, teammates, and all those who loved him during this unimaginably difficult time," the club wrote on Instagram. "Dan will always remain part of our club."

Reuven Morrison, also known as Rueben, who emigrated from the former Soviet Union to Australia in the 1970s, was also killed in the attack. Chabad.org reported that Morrison divided his time between Sydney and Melbourne, and was a "successful businessman whose main goal was to give away his earnings to charities dear to his heart." In a 2024 interview with the ABC, Morrison said he had experienced persecution as a Jewish person in the Soviet Union but didn't expect it to be happening in Australia. "We came here with the view that Australia is the safest country in the world and the Jews would not be faced with such anti-Semitism in the future, where we can bring up our kids in a safe environment," he said.

10-year-old girl and Israeli citizen among the deceased

Matilda Poltavchenko, just 10 years old, was named as the youngest of the victims known to date. Heartbroken relatives described her as a “bright, joyful and spirited” child.

Her aunt Lina confirmed the devastating news on social media, writing: “Yesterday my beloved niece Matilda was killed during a terrorist attack in Bondi Beach. I don’t know how we survive such grief.”

A GoFundMe page set up to support Matilda’s mother, Valentina Poltavchenko, had raised more than $10,000 by Monday morning.

The fundraiser was organised by Matilda’s language teacher, Irina Goodhew, who said: “I knew her as a bright, joyful and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her. While celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts.”

Premier League 1 player - Dan Elkayam - was a victim of the horrendous, tragic and senseless events (Image: -)

Local hero and Jewish community leaders among the injured

A 43-year-old fruit shop owner from the Sutherland Shire, who rushed to the scene to tackle one of the gunmen, has been hailed as a local hero. He sustained two bullet wounds but is recovering well in hospital. Arsen Ostrovsky, head of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Sydney office, and Evan Zlatkis, Executive Council of Australian Jewry director of media, were also injured in the attack.

Ostrovsky, an international human rights lawyer and long-time contributor to the Jerusalem Post, was named by the publication as among those wounded. The Jerusalem Post reported that Ostrovsky was receiving treatment and has been in contact with people via WhatsApp. "[I'm] in [the] hospital recovering now," Ostrovsky wrote to the Jerusalem Post. "Bullet grazed head. Lot of bleeding. Doctors said miracle survived, was that close. Have been stitched up now. Worst thing was being apart from my wife + kids at that instance. I got hit when I went towards them. Thankfully they got out Ok. It was absolute bloodbath, children and elderly everywhere. Felt like scene from Nova. But also incredible seeing how everyone rushed to help. Surreal."

Zlatkis told the Daily Telegraph he heard "dozens and dozens" of gunshots. As he fled, he said he felt he was bleeding. "I thought it was rubber bullets, but it's gone into my own skin and into my leg," he said. "I've been shot myself. They bandaged me up. I'm ok."

Victims' ages range from 10 to 87, premier confirms

New South Wales premier Chris Minns confirmed on Monday morning that the ages of those who died range between 10 and 87 years old, with formal identification still pending. The attack has sent shockwaves through the Jewish community and the nation as a whole, with leaders expressing their condolences and vowing to combat antisemitism in all its forms.

As the investigation into the Bondi beach shooting continues, the victims' stories serve as a heartbreaking reminder of the lives lost and the enduring impact of this senseless act of terror on their families, friends, and communities.