The family of the Bondi shooting's youngest victim, Matilda, urged the community not to let her death fuel anger, as they said a final goodbye to the 10-year-old on Thursday. Matilda was among 15 people who were shot dead when two gunmen opened fire on an event marking the start of Hanukkah at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday. Speaking to the BBC at Matilda's funeral, her aunt Lina Chernykh said the Jewish community is right to want more action to stamp out antisemitism – she does too. But she said Matilda was a joyous child who spread love everywhere she went, and urged the community to do the same in her honour.
Take your anger and… just spread happiness and love and memory for my lovely niece, Ms Chernykh said. I hope maybe she's an angel now. Maybe she [will] send some good vibes to the world.
Jewish community leaders have suggested the tragedy was an inevitable result of Australia struggling to address rising antisemitism. The attack on Sunday was the country's deadliest incident since 1996, when a gunman killed 35 people during the Port Arthur massacre. At Matilda's funeral, mourners including high-profile leaders wore bee broaches and stickers as a tribute to the girl who adored them. Matilda was named after the song 'Waltzing Matilda,' symbolizing her family's gratitude for safety in Australia.
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, who led the service, emphasized the community's collective grief and the impact of the tragedy. Police have designated the attack a terrorist incident, with motivations linked to extremist ideology. The community continues to call for stronger measures against antisemitism as it mourns the loss of both Matilda and other victims of the attack.
Take your anger and… just spread happiness and love and memory for my lovely niece, Ms Chernykh said. I hope maybe she's an angel now. Maybe she [will] send some good vibes to the world.
Jewish community leaders have suggested the tragedy was an inevitable result of Australia struggling to address rising antisemitism. The attack on Sunday was the country's deadliest incident since 1996, when a gunman killed 35 people during the Port Arthur massacre. At Matilda's funeral, mourners including high-profile leaders wore bee broaches and stickers as a tribute to the girl who adored them. Matilda was named after the song 'Waltzing Matilda,' symbolizing her family's gratitude for safety in Australia.
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, who led the service, emphasized the community's collective grief and the impact of the tragedy. Police have designated the attack a terrorist incident, with motivations linked to extremist ideology. The community continues to call for stronger measures against antisemitism as it mourns the loss of both Matilda and other victims of the attack.
