Bondi terror: Funerals across Sydney as five victims farewelled including ‘martyr’ couple Boris & Sofia Gurman

Five innocent people killed in the Bondi Beach terror attack were honoured at funeral services across Sydney on Friday.

Boris and Sofia Gurman who tried to stop the mass shooting before it began, were been remembered as martyrs as their coffins sat side by side at the Sydney Chevra Kadisha funeral home.

Dubbed the “Angels of Bondi”, the couple were the first people killed in the attack. Dashcam footage from Sunday night showed the pair confronting one of the gunmen near the car on Campbell Parade.

“A place in heaven is reserved for those that are called Kedoshim — holy martyrs — above even those that are called Tzadikkim — righteous people.”

The long-time Bondi locals were remembered as people of deep kindness, quiet strength and unwavering care for others.

The couple had been planning on celebrating Sofia’s 62nd birthday on Wednesday and their 35th wedding anniversary in January.

Retired mechanic Boris, 69, took enormous pride in his extensive garden.

Lemons and chillies were harvested and shared with the family and he also grew large bunches of up to 50 bananas.

Australia Post worker Sofia, 61, was a family leader who showed her love through food. Her traditional Soviet wafer cake became something of a legend.

But her sense of order and occasion was so strong, the family couldn’t have often — they had to wait a full year before the next cake.

The pair met in the former USSR before moving to Sydney to start a new life in Bondi.

“They were often genuinely perplexed when people spoke about travelling overseas, wondering why you’d ever leave when paradise was right at your front door,” the rabbi said.

The family released a statement saying they were “heartbroken by the sudden and senseless loss” that “feels incredibly hard to comprehend.”

Boris and Sofia were described as “deeply devoted to their family and were well known in their community for their kindness, warmth and willingness to help others”.

“They lived honest, hardworking lives and treated everyone with care and respect.”

They were laid to rest at Rookwood cemetery, in the western Sydney suburb of Lidcombe.

Rabbi Ulman has led a number of funerals for shooting victims, including aprimary school student Matilda and Rabbi Eli Schlanger.

“Every single member of our community feels the pain of each other,” he said.

“Yesterday we buried a 10-year-old girl and today it’s been years since I’ve seen two coffins next to each other.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns and Israel’s ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon attended the couple’s service.

The couple were among four members of the public known to have fought the gunmen. The Gurmans and 62-year-old Reuven Morrison, who was farewelled yesterday in Melbourne, paid for their courage with their lives.

Edith Brutman

“It is truly difficult for me to imagine she is not here for many reasons.”

“She wasn’t just part of our lives, she was a very vocal part of our lives,” he said.

“Her love, her loyalty and devotion was really unique in every way.”

“She was a person that wanted to be involved. She wanted to be useful and to be contributing. She wanted to be charitable in every way.”

Ms Brutman was vice-president of the New South Wales branch of B’nai B’rith, one of the oldest Jewish organisations in the world.

B’nai B’rith International’s facebook page paid tribute to Ms Brutman, who “led the organisation’s anti-prejudice and anti-discrimination committee — work that now carries an even more painful and profound significance”.

Boris Tetleroyd

More than 100 mourners attended the graveside service for Boris Tetleroyd at Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney’s west.

Mr Tetleroyd and his wife Svetlana had two sons, Yaakov and Roman. Yaakov also attended Chanuka by the Sea and was hospitalised with seriously injuries in the wake of Sunday’s deadly attack.

A family statement said “Boris was deeply loved by his family including his brother, aunt, nieces, nephews, cousins and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Boris was “a gifted musician and a valued member of his community. “

“We honour his life and the love he so generously gave to those around him.”

Mr Tetleroyd was an immigrant from the former Soviet Union and long-time Bondi resident, who worked for Sydney Trains as an engineering application analyst.

His niece Leia Roitour said the family was “ grieving the sudden and violent loss of a beloved husband and father”.

Dan Elkayam

Sydney Chevra Kadisha listed today that the body of 27-year-old Dan Elkayam would be repatriated to Israel for burial at Ashdod Cemetery.

The French IT worker had been working for NBCUniversal, having arrived in Sydney a year ago.

The Eastern Suburbs resident was a keen football player with Rockdale Ilinden Football Club and was survived by his partner Krystal and his parents, three brothers and extended family in Le Bourget, France.

Mr Elkayam’s family released a statement saying he “brought light wherever he went”.

He “was known for his gentle, kind, fun and loving nature, making friends wherever he went. Alongside football, he had a deep connection with nature.

“He was a certified scuba diver and an explorer at heart, always eager to discover new places, cultures, and experiences.

He “truly wanted to do good in the world, to share his love of life and his sense of adventure with everyone around him.”