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At the funeral of 10-year-old Bondi shooting victim Matilda, her family urged love over anger. Read the full emotional tribute and community response.
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“Maybe She’s an Angel Now,” Says Aunt of 10-Year-Old Bondi Shooting Victim Matilda
The funeral of Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi Beach shooting, became a powerful moment of grief, love, and resilience as her family asked the community to respond with compassion rather than anger.
At just 10 years old, Matilda’s life was cut short during a horrific attack at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney’s Bondi Beach — an incident that shocked Australia and reignited national conversations around antisemitism and public safety.
Speaking through tears, Matilda’s aunt shared a message that resonated far beyond the synagogue walls:
“Take your anger and spread happiness and love in memory of my lovely niece.”
A Community Gathers to Say Goodbye
Hundreds of mourners packed the funeral service in Sydney, including national leaders and members of the Jewish community, all united in grief for a child described as radiant, joyful, and full of love.
Leaders in Attendance
Among those present were:
- Governor-General Sam Mostyn
- New South Wales Premier Chris Minns
Their attendance reflected the national weight of the tragedy and the collective mourning felt across Australia.
“Maybe She’s an Angel Now”: A Family’s Heartbreaking Message
Matilda’s aunt, Lina Chernykh, spoke to the media following the service, expressing devastation while urging peace.
Choosing Love Over Anger
While acknowledging the Jewish community’s growing fear and frustration over rising antisemitism, she made a clear appeal:
- Do not allow hatred to grow from tragedy
- Honour Matilda by spreading kindness
- Protect joy, not vengeance
“I hope maybe she’s an angel now. Maybe she will send good vibes to the world.”
Her words offered a rare moment of light amid overwhelming sorrow.
The Bondi Beach Shooting: What Happened
A Deadly Attack
On Sunday, two gunmen opened fire at an event marking the start of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach.
- 15 people were killed
- The attack is considered Australia’s deadliest mass shooting since 1996
- Victims included families, children, and community leaders
A Nation in Shock
The attack drew immediate comparisons to the Port Arthur massacre, reviving painful memories and calls for renewed action against hate-fuelled violence.
Rising Concerns Over Antisemitism in Australia
In the days following the attack, Jewish community leaders voiced concerns that the tragedy was not isolated.
A Warning Ignored?
Many leaders suggested:
- Antisemitism has been rising steadily
- Warnings from Jewish groups were not adequately addressed
- The Bondi tragedy was a breaking point
Matilda’s aunt agreed that action is necessary — but stressed that anger alone cannot heal wounds.
A Child Remembered for Joy and Kindness
The Symbol of the Bee
Mourners wore bee brooches and stickers in tribute to Matilda, who adored bees.
The symbol represented:
- Innocence
- Life
- Community
- Sweetness — a reflection of her personality
“Waltzing with the Angels”: A Name With Meaning
Matilda’s parents, Michael and Valentyna, named her after the iconic Australian song “Waltzing Matilda.”
A Story of Safety and Belonging
The song was chosen as a tribute to:
- Australia
- A country that gave their Ukrainian family safety
- Hope and new beginnings
Premier Chris Minns read a poem during the service, concluding with the words:
“She’s waltzing with the angels.”
A Rabbi’s Painful Tribute
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman’s Words
The service was led by Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, who struggled to contain his emotions.
“The tragic and unfathomable murder of young Matilda feels as if our own daughter was taken from us.”
He spoke about Jewish beliefs regarding death, emphasizing that separation is not eternal.
“I say this with absolute conviction — this separation is not forever.”
A Rabbi Mourning His Own Loss
Just one day earlier, Rabbi Ulman had officiated another funeral — that of his son-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was also killed in the Bondi attack.
Despite his own grief, he addressed Matilda’s parents directly:
“You give me strength when you yourselves need strength.”
The moment left the congregation in tears.
A Family Shattered Beyond Words
Parents Left Devastated
Matilda’s aunt described the unimaginable pain of her parents:
- Struggling to cope
- Faces marked by disbelief
- A future forever changed
“I don’t know if they will ever be happy again.”
A Sister’s Silent Grief
Matilda’s younger sister, described as inseparable from her, is overwhelmed by loss.
“She doesn’t have enough tears to cry.”
Beyond the Tragedy: A Call to Humanity
Despite the horror of the Bondi shooting, Matilda’s family has chosen a message of hope, love, and unity.
What Matilda’s Legacy Represents
- Choosing compassion over hatred
- Standing against antisemitism without losing humanity
- Remembering victims as people, not statistics
Why This Story Matters
The death of Bondi shooting victim Matilda is not just a news headline — it is a reminder of:
- The real cost of hate
- The fragility of life
- The strength found in kindness
Her family’s plea stands as a powerful message to Australia and the world:
Let love be louder than violence
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