Bondi: Let the light shine through

We remember the elders of the Eastern Suburbs community taken from us in the Bondi terror attack.

In the soft glow of the summer, waves lapping at the shore and families and friend groups gathering at the world-famous beach destination of Bondi Beach, thousands had gathered at Chanukah by the Sea, a joyous celebration held on 14 December 2025. 

It was meant to be an evening of peace and shared culture. Instead, it became one of Australia’s darkest hours. A pair of gunmen opened fire into the crowd, killing 15 innocent people and wounding dozens more in what later was declared a terror attack. The ages of those killed spanned from ten to 87 years old, reflecting the indiscriminate nature of the violence and the breadth of lives it shattered.

Among the victims were community pillars whose lives had been shaped by decades of service, love, and quiet generosity. Edith Brutman, age 68, had spent her life working to promote tolerance and combat prejudice as the vice president of the B’nai B’rith NSW anti-prejudice committee. Her tireless advocacy had helped countless individuals feel safer and more accepted in their community. Her presence was a testament to the power of compassion and the strength that can come from a steadfast commitment to justice.

Also killed were Boris, 69, and Sofia Gurman, 61, a couple known for their generous spirits and deep devotion to family and community life. They were present at the festival to celebrate tradition and togetherness, embodying the values they lived by every day. Their deaths were an immense loss to those who knew them; friends, neighbours, and relatives whose lives were indelibly marked by their kindness.

The oldest victim, Alex Kleytman, at 87 years old, was a Holocaust survivor who had emigrated from Ukraine and dedicated his life to family, community, and resilience. His journey from unimaginable hardship to building a life in Australia was a powerful reminder of strength and hope. A legacy now frozen in time by the tragedy at Bondi. Another elder, Tibor Weitzen, 78, was remembered by loved ones as a generous and compassionate man, known for his welcoming nature and enduring kindness. His last morning was spent swimming with family, unaware that it would also be his last.

Tania Tretiak, 68, a grandmother with a spirit for life and a love for familial bonds, was among the final victims to be identified. Her presence at the event symbolised not just celebration, but the continuity of tradition, a grandmother sharing in the beauty of community with the next generations. Adam Smyth, 50, a father of four, was killed while walking along the beach with his wife. He was remembered by his family as “generous and kind,” a devoted supporter of sport and a beacon of warmth in everyday life on 7 news.

These individuals, and all the victims of the Bondi shooting, represented a tapestry of lives woven through decades of connection, contribution, and love. Today, their memories stand in defiance of hatred and violence, urging a society to reaffirm its commitment to unity, respect, and peace. In honouring their legacies, we recognise that every life lost was irreplaceable and every story deserves to be told. Their names endure not as statistics, but as reminders of the value of compassion and the heavy cost of its absence.

As the community prepares for the upcoming Day of Remembrance, Australians are invited to pause, reflect, and stand together in collective mourning. This day will not only honour those whose lives were taken at Bondi, but also reaffirm a shared commitment to dignity, safety, and mutual respect. Candles will be lit, someone will speak names aloud, and moments of silence will bridge generations, ensuring that the victims are remembered not solely for the way they died, but for the lives they lived. In remembrance, there is responsibility: to carry forward their stories, to reject hatred in all its forms, and to ensure that their legacy is one of unity, compassion, and enduring humanity.

Photo: Courtesy of Sydney Jewish Museum