Bondi Massacre: 10-Year-Old Matilda Laid to Rest

10-year-old Matilda was the youngest victim of a tragic mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on December 14, 2025. She was attending a public Hanukkah celebration ("Chanukah by the Sea") organized by Chabad of Bondi when two gunmen opened fire on the crowd, killing 15 people in the terrorist attack Australia has encountered since 1996.

Her funeral was held on December 18, 2025 (today), at the Chevra Kadisha Memorial Hall in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Mourners carried her small casket, topped with yellow toy bees, a tribute to her love of animals and bumblebees. Many attendees wore bee stickers or brooches, carried sunflowers, or wore clothes in her favorite color, purple. The service was attended by dignitaries including the NSW Premier and federal politicians, with long lines of mourners stretching down the street.

Matilda's family, originally from Ukraine and having immigrated to Australia seeking safety, named her after the iconic Australian song "Waltzing Matilda" because she was their first child born in the country. Her father, Michael, spoke at a vigil earlier this week, saying he chose the name as "the most Australian name that could ever exist" and urged people to "remember her name." Her mother, Valentyna, expressed unimaginable grief, stating she never thought she would lose her daughter in Australia. Matilda was described as a joyful "ray of sunshine" who loved dancing, the outdoors, animals, and choreographing dances at school.

Matilda's younger sister, Summer was with her at the event and says that her "eyes are dry from tears."

On the same day, the oldest victim, 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, was also laid to rest.

Baruch Dayan HaEmet.