15 Confirmed Victims of Bondi Beach Terror IFCJ Canada | December 16, 2025 Last Sunday, Jews in Australia gathered to celebrate the miracle of light at the “Chanukah by the Sea” event at Bondi Beach near Sydney but were met by the darkness of anti-Semitic terror as two gunmen opened fire killing 15 people and injuring an estimated 38. The Times of Israel reports it as the second-worst mass shooting in Australia’s history and the deadliest attack targeting Jewish people outside of Israel since October 7. Now, the world is getting to know the victims and their stories. Among the 15 people who were murdered simply for being Jewish are two Chabad rabbis, a Holocaust survivor and his wife, and a 10-year-old girl. An October 7 survivor was also wounded in the attack. A local Muslim produce store owner was filmed disarming one of the gunmen. The youngest victim of the attack was identified as a 10-year-old girl. Local outlets named the girl Matilda Britvan. She was a student at the Harmony Russian School in Sydney and had been attending the Chanukah by the Sea event. “Her memory will remain in our hearts, and we honour her life and the time she spent as part of our school family,” the school posted on Facebook, saying it will remember her “with love, grief, and deep sorrow, and we honour her memory by standing together in compassion.” The gunmen, a father and son who were investigated for reported ties to ISIS, are believed to have pledged allegiance to the terror group and reportedly possessed an ISIS flag when their last known location was raided. As people who regularly work to support the welfare of Holocaust survivors, frequently collaborate with Chabad, and prepare Jewish children for a meaningful future, The Fellowship feels this horrific attack on a deeply personal level. To us, the victims are friends, family, and partners. For this year’s Festival of Lights, it’s more important than ever to be a light in the darkness of anti-Semitic hatred. As Rabbi Eli Schlanger said before he was murdered, “be more Jewish, act more Jewish, and appear more Jewish” even in the face of growing hate.
