The funeral for 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi terror attack, was held in Sydney on Thursday, drawing hundreds of mourners who paid tribute to her life and symbolized her memory with bees, her middle name. Mourners gathered at the Chevra Kadisha funeral home in Woollahra, with so many attendees that people spilled into the nearby park. Inside, the service was filled with emotional eulogies describing Matilda as a friendly, beautiful child who loved maths and dreamed of becoming a teacher. Her father’s request to remember her as “Bee” was heeded, with bee-themed stickers, plush toys, and balloons prominently displayed.
Notable figures including Governor-General Sam Mostyn, federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, and NSW Premier Chris Minns attended the service. Minns delivered a poem titled ‘Ode to Matilda,’ honoring her Australian spirit, while other political leaders paid their respects. The small white coffin was carried out amidst profound grief, with family members clutching each other in tears as the hearse struggled to move through the crowd.
Rabbi Dovid Slavin, speaking outside, emphasized the tragedy of a child’s life cut short, noting that Matilda’s only crime was trying to enjoy a family event at one of Australia’s most iconic places. He reflected on how her parents, immigrants from Ukraine, had sought a better life in Australia, only to face this loss. The rabbi described the attack as a moment that has made every adult in the country pause and question the kind of Australia they want to live in.
The funeral was part of a series of services held on Thursday for victims of the Bondi attack, which killed 15 people during a Hanukah celebration on Sunday. Earlier in the day, a funeral was held for 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, who was remembered for protecting his wife from bullets. Another service followed for 78-year-old Tibor Weitzen, and in Melbourne, Reuven Morrison was farewelled after being hailed as a hero for throwing a brick at the gunman.
Community leaders used the occasion to call for unity and remembrance. Rabbi Slavin urged mourners to allow Matilda’s spirit to live on through positive actions, stating that her death imposes an obligation on the living to counteract the hatred that took her life. The attack has sparked national discussions on hate crimes and community safety, with promises of new legislation from Australian authorities.
As the funerals continue, the Australian government has announced a national day of mourning, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressing solidarity with the victims’ families. The Bondi community remains shaken but resilient, with memorials growing at the beach pavilion and an outpouring of support across the country. The events underscore the profound impact of the terror attack on Australian society and the enduring grief for its youngest victim.
