Matilda’s funeral: Moving service for Bondi's youngest victim
A primary school student killed by one of 100 bullets fired into a Jewish community festival has been remembered as a holy and happy girl.
Mourners were left grieving outside as friends and her deeply emotional family packed into a Sydney funeral house to pay tribute to 10-year-old Matilda, killed in the Bondi Beach massacre on Sunday.
Many wore stickers of bumblebees or carried yellow balloons, matching a large, stuffed bee toy adorning the girl’s coffin.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The youngest victim of the Bondi attack would be remembered as a “holy girl” who died “for being Jewish”, the rabbi leading the funeral said.
“She doesn’t just remain in our hearts ... she has to remain alive in our deeds,” Rabbi Yehoram Ulman said.
A poem written specifically for the the youngster, titled ‘Ode to Matilda’, was read out by NSW Premier Chris Minns.
“Her spirit - like a swagman’s - will never fade away,” he said.
Attendees included Governor-General Sam Mostyn, federal Labor minister Tanya Plibersek and opposition leader Sussan Ley, who wiped away tears as she walked to the door.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not attend but told reporters in Canberra he had met with grieving families face-to-face each day.
Matilda was remembered by her school as a “little ray of sunshine” who always brought joy to those around her, and by her aunt as “full of life and happy”.
Jewish funerals do not traditionally take place in a synagogue, with both Matilda and Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman having their funeral services on Thursday in a centuries-old Sydney Jewish funeral house.
Chevra Kadisha has helped the Jewish community mourn its dead since 1817, including conducting Jewish funerals known as ‘levaya’.
The service for 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Mr Kleytman was held earlier on Thursday morning at the funeral house.
His wife has remembered her Ukrainian-born husband for his resilience and courage after he moved to shield her from gunfire in his last moments.
The funerals of two other victims, Tibor Weitzen and Reuven Morrison, will also take place on Thursday in Sydney and Melbourne, respectively.
They are among 15 people killed when 55 people were shot on Sunday night.They are among 15 people killed when 55 people were shot on Sunday night.
Naveed Akram, 24, and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram who died at the scene, are accused of using long-arm guns to fire at a crowd of people on Sunday night.
Naveed was charged on Wednesday with 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder and one count of committing a terrorist act.
If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
He did not appear or apply for bail during a brief court hearing and the case was adjourned until April.
