Farewell to Young Matilda: A Heartfelt Goodbye in Bondi

On Thursday, the family of Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi shooting, made an emotional plea to their community. As they bid farewell to the 10-year-old girl, they encouraged everyone to choose love over anger in the wake of her tragic loss.

Matilda was among 15 individuals who lost their lives when gunfire erupted during a peaceful celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, marking the beginning of Hanukkah. This shocking incident has left the nation in deep mourning.

The Incident Overview

The gunfire occurred on Sunday evening amid a community gathering meant to celebrate a religious occasion. The sudden violence took the lives of many, including children and senior citizens.

This was Australia’s deadliest attack since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which claimed 35 lives.

Messages of Love During the Funeral

Matilda’s funeral took place on Thursday in Sydney, attended by a large number of mourners, including community officials and grieving families.

Matilda’s aunt, Lina Chernykh, expressed the family's sorrow, emphasizing the importance of remembering Matilda's joy and kindness.

She urged attendees to honor Matilda's spirit by sharing love, stating, "Take your anger and just spread happiness and love in memory of my lovely niece. I hope she is an angel now and sends good feelings to the world."

A Celebration of Joy

Mourners wore bee-shaped memorabilia, reflecting Matilda’s fondness for bees. The room resonated with tears, prayers, and moments of quiet reflection.

Named after the iconic song “Waltzing Matilda,” her name holds significance for her parents, Michael and Valentyna, who found refuge in Australia.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns read a touching poem during the service, noting, "She is now waltzing with the angels."

Community Grief

A religious leader leading the service struggled to articulate the pain, sharing, "The cruel killing of young Matilda feels like losing our own child." He stressed that while words can’t mend the sorrow, separation isn’t forever.

Just a day earlier, he also buried a family member who was a victim of the same shooting.

Matilda’s aunt conveyed the family's devastation, saying, "I don’t know if her parents will ever feel happy again," and noted that Matilda’s younger sister is deeply affected, stating, "She has no tears left to cry."

Honoring Another Victim

On the same day, another victim of the Bondi shooting, 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, was also laid to rest. He died heroically while safeguarding his wife during the shooting.

His family remarked that he perished standing up for his beliefs, and although his life was cut short, his legacy will endure.

Law Enforcement Response

Authorities have classified the Bondi shooting as a terrorist act driven by extremist beliefs.

Both perpetrators were identified as a father and son; the father was killed, while the son faces multiple charges, including 15 counts of murder.

In response to the tragedy, the government proposed stricter laws to combat hate, including the power to revoke visas associated with hate crimes.