Funeral and memorial services have been conducted for 10-year-old Matilda, who was among 15 individuals killed in an incident at Bondi Beach, Sydney. The attack occurred on Sunday, December 14, at a Chanukah by the Sea celebration. Matilda's mother addressed a memorial service on Tuesday, and her funeral took place on Thursday, alongside services for other victims, including an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. Family members have made public statements regarding the incident and proposed memorials.
Incident Overview
On Sunday, December 14, an incident involving two gunmen occurred at Sydney's Bondi Beach during a Chanukah by the Sea celebration. The event resulted in 15 fatalities and numerous injuries. This incident has been noted as Australia's most lethal since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. Jewish community leaders have since suggested the incident highlights challenges in addressing antisemitism within Australia.
Memorial Service for Matilda
A memorial service for 10-year-old Matilda was held on Tuesday evening. Matilda was identified as the youngest fatality of the incident. Her mother, Valentyna, addressed attendees, stating that her family had immigrated to Australia from Ukraine over a decade prior. She communicated the family's previous perception of Australia as a safe location.
Funeral Service for Matilda
A funeral service for Matilda took place on Thursday in Sydney. She was among 15 individuals killed during the incident. Mourners, including Governor General Sam Mostyn and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, attended. Premier Minns read a poem during the proceedings. Attendees wore bee-themed broaches and stickers as a form of tribute to Matilda. Her parents, Michael and Valentyna, were present. The family had named her after the song "Waltzing Matilda," referencing Australia as a place where their Ukrainian family had found refuge and safety.
Matilda's aunt, Lina Chernykh, spoke to the BBC at the funeral. She conveyed a message from the family urging the community not to allow Matilda's death to incite anger, encouraging instead the fostering of "happiness and love" in her memory. Ms. Chernykh also stated that the Sydney Jewish community advocates for further measures to address antisemitism. She characterized Matilda as a happy child. Ms. Chernykh described the family as devastated, questioning if the parents would regain happiness and noting Matilda's younger sister's profound distress. Ms. Chernykh expressed a hope that Matilda would "send some good vibes to the world."
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman officiated the service. He acknowledged the impact of Matilda's death on the community and discussed the Jewish belief regarding the nature of death, stating that death is not considered eternal. Rabbi Ulman described Matilda's life in terms of beauty, goodness, and righteousness. He also mentioned that he had previously officiated the funeral for his son-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was also a fatality in the Bondi incident.
Family Account and Pre-Incident Details
Matilda, 10, and her 6-year-old sister, Summer, were present at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration with their parents, Valentyna Poltavchenko and Michael Britvan. The children were near a petting zoo when gunshots began.
Upon hearing the sounds, the parents were informed it was a shooting. Ms. Poltavchenko lost sight of her daughters in the subsequent events. Mr. Britvan located Matilda, who had sustained injuries, and provided assistance. An off-duty doctor and a paramedic responded to the scene to aid Matilda. Mr. Britvan later found Summer unharmed, being shielded by Tash Willemsen, an employee at the petting zoo, behind a utility vehicle. Ms. Willemsen's mother was also grazed by a bullet while protecting another child. Summer, who witnessed the shooting, has since experienced nightmares. Summer and Ms. Willemsen were later reunited at a vigil for the victims.
Matilda died from her injuries, becoming one of 15 fatalities. Her parents described her as an individual who enjoyed animals and judo.
Footage released by the family showed Rabbi Eli Schlanger performing the Tefillin prayer ritual with Matilda's father, Michael. Matilda was visible in this footage wearing a yellow dress, captured prior to the attack.
Proposals for Memorials
Matilda's parents have advocated for the footbridge used during the attack to remain as a memorial. They proposed painting it yellow, in reference to the dress Matilda wore, and installing a plaque for the 15 victims. Additionally, they supported renaming the park "Matilda's Park." The family has since returned to their residence, with Summer sleeping alongside her parents, as they process the events and preserve Matilda's memory.
Other Victims Honored
On the same day as Matilda's funeral, a service was held for Alex Kleytman, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor and the eldest victim of the Bondi incident. This service also took place at the same funeral home. A statement released by his family indicated that he died while protecting his wife, Larisa, and observing his Jewish faith, stating that his memories and legacy would continue to provide insight for future generations.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was the son-in-law of Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, was also a fatality in the Bondi incident, and his funeral was held prior to Matilda's.