Families of Bondi Beach Terror Attack Victims Share Heartbreaking Tributes

The families of seven victims killed during Sunday’s deadly terror attack at Bondi Beach released poignant statements Thursday, revealing the profound grief and cherished memories of their loved ones lost in one of Australia’s worst mass casualty events in recent history.

The attack, which occurred during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, claimed at least 15 lives. Australian authorities have identified the perpetrators as a father-son duo allegedly inspired by ISIS. The father was killed at the scene, while the son was wounded by police and subsequently charged with 15 counts of murder among dozens of other offenses.

Among those killed was 82-year-old Marika Pogany, a dedicated member of COA Sydney, a volunteer service for Jewish seniors. Her family described her as “Omi,” a vibrant woman “whose warmth and energy touched countless lives.” Pogany immigrated to Australia from Czechoslovakia in 1968 with her son and brother, becoming a proud Australian citizen in 1972.

“She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people,” her family wrote, noting her commitment to community service, including delivering meals to those in need. “Though she is gone, her light will continue to shine brightly through the family and friends who were so blessed to have her in their lives.”

Adam Smyth, 50, a father of four and devoted husband to Katrina, was walking along Bondi Beach with his wife when they found themselves caught in the attack. His family described the couple as “living their best lives together,” bonded by their shared love of family, friends, travel and sports—particularly Smyth’s beloved Liverpool Football Club.

“No words can describe the pain of our loss,” his family stated. “Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable,” they added, concluding with Liverpool’s anthem: “You’ll never walk alone.”

Boris and Sofia Gurman, 69 and 61 respectively, were identified as a Russian-Jewish couple who heroically confronted one of the gunmen before the attack began, momentarily disarming him before he retrieved another weapon and fatally shot them. The couple was just weeks away from celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary in January and Sofia’s birthday.

“Boris and Sofia were deeply devoted to their family and were well known in their community for their kindness, warmth and willingness to help others,” their family wrote, describing Boris as a retired mechanic and Sofia as an Australia Post employee of five years who lived “honest, hardworking lives.”

Dan Elkayam, a 27-year-old French national, was playing football and celebrating Hanukkah when the attack began. His family stated bluntly that he “was murdered because he was Jewish,” explaining that he was shot in the back while attempting to flee. Elkayam represented his country in the 2022 Maccabiah Games and played for teams in both France and Australia.

“Dan loved life – fully and intensely,” his family wrote, describing him as a certified scuba diver with a deep connection to nature and a smile that “could light up any room.” They called on everyone to carry forward his legacy of “spreading kindness, compassion, and joy—in his name.”

Boris Tetleroyd was remembered by his family as a “gentle man” and “gifted musician” who “was loved by everyone he met,” particularly by his wife Svetlana and sons Yaakov and Roman.

Perhaps most heartbreaking was the story of 87-year-old Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor from Ukraine who was celebrating Hanukkah with Larisa, his wife of 57 years and also a Holocaust survivor. His family described him as “a fascinating person of many talents and an unwavering spirit” who had “survived the hardships of World War II in frozen Siberia.”

Kleytman, who worked as a civil engineer and estimator both in the former Soviet Union and later in Australia, died “doing what he loved most: protecting Larisa, standing proudly as a Jew, and celebrating the Festival of Lights.”

“The two gunmen killed him, but his memories, his legacy, and his books will bring light for generations to come,” his family concluded.

The attack has shocked Australia and drawn international condemnation, highlighting growing concerns about terrorism and antisemitic violence worldwide. As the investigation continues, the families’ heartfelt tributes serve as a reminder of the individual lives tragically cut short in an act of senseless violence.