What was meant to be a joyful first night of Chanukah became one of the darkest days in recent memory for the Jewish community and all of Australia. On December 14, during the “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration at Bondi Beach, two gunmen opened fire on families, children, and elders gathered to welcome the Festival of Lights. The attack claimed the lives of 15 innocent people and wounded dozens more in what authorities have classified as a terrorist act motivated by antisemitism.
In the midst of the horror, extraordinary acts of bravery emerged — acts that exemplify the values of selflessness, courage, and love for one’s fellow human being. These heroes saved lives at the cost of their own, embodying the principle of pikuach nefesh.
The first victims were Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia Gurman, 61. According to dashcam footage and eyewitness accounts, Boris confronted one of the attackers as soon as the gunman exited his vehicle. He lunged forward and grabbed the weapon, attempting to prevent the shooter from firing into the crowd. Sofia immediately joined him, pulling at the gunman and screaming for others to run.
“They didn’t hesitate,” a family member later said. “They saw danger, and they moved toward it.”
Both Boris and Sofia were fatally shot during the struggle. Authorities believe their actions delayed the attack and prevented further immediate casualties. The couple had been married for 34 years and were planning to celebrate their 35th anniversary the following month.
Among those killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, a beloved rabbi at Chabad of Bondi. Rabbi Schlanger was known throughout the community for his quiet dedication and constant availability to others. Witnesses say he was helping people escape when he was shot.
“He lived for others,” said one congregant. “That’s how he died too.”
Rabbi Schlanger is survived by his wife and five children. Hundreds attended his funeral under heavy security, with mourners lining the streets in silence as the procession passed.
Another victim was Alexander Kleytman, 87, a Holocaust survivor who was killed while shielding his wife. Those nearby said he placed himself between her and the gunfire as the attack began.
“He survived the Nazis only to be murdered for being Jewish,” a family friend said. “But even in that moment, he was protecting someone else.”
Other victims included Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, secretary of the Sydney Beth Din; Dan Elkayam, 27, a French national visiting Australia; Tibor Weitzen, a great-grandfather who was struck while helping others flee; Marika Pogány, 82, a longtime volunteer known for her kindness; Peter Meagher, a retired police detective; and Edith Brutman, a respected communal figure.
Also among the dead was Matilda, a ten-year-old girl whose family had fled Ukraine seeking safety. Her teacher described her as “a child who made friends everywhere she went.”
As the shooting continued, civilians again stepped forward. Reuven Morrison, 62, grabbed bricks from the ground and hurled them at one of the attackers, forcing him to duck and momentarily lose focus. Witnesses say Morrison was trying to draw fire away from families running with their children.
“He knew exactly what he was doing,” said one survivor. “He was giving people time.”
Morrison was shot and killed, but several people nearby were able to escape during those seconds.
Another widely reported act of bravery came from Ahmed al-Ahmed, 43, a Muslim shopkeeper who ran toward the gunfire after hearing screams. According to police, al-Ahmed tackled one of the gunmen and helped disarm him, even after being shot in the arm.
“I couldn’t stand there and watch people die,” al-Ahmed later said from his hospital bed. “It didn’t matter who they were.”
More than 100 rounds were fired in a matter of minutes. Emergency responders described scenes of panic, families hiding behind cars, and parents shielding children with their bodies.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking after the attack, said, “This was an act of pure antisemitic terror. The world must stop pretending these chants and threats are harmless.”
Jewish organizations in Australia noted that warnings had been raised repeatedly over the past year, as antisemitic demonstrations escalated and threats became more explicit.
At Bondi Beach in the days following the attack, mourners placed stones, flowers, and handwritten notes near the site. Candles were lit quietly. Tehllim was said aloud.
But amid the grief, the stories of heroism and self-sacrifice have brought a measure of meaning and unity. They remind us that even in an age of unprecedented hate and violence, individuals can still act with the highest moral courage.
May the memories of the deceased be a blessing, and may the survivors have a complete refuah shleimah.
