By Helen Regan, Sandi Sidhu, CNN
(CNN) — A 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor and a young French national were among at least 15 people killed when two gunmen opened fire on families celebrating the first night of Hanukkah at Sydney’s famed Bondi Beach on Sunday, an attack that police have declared a terrorist incident.
Those killed in Australia’s worst mass shooting in almost 30 years are yet to officially be identified, but their families and friends are paying tribute to those they have lost.
New South Wales premier Chris Minns said the victims are aged between 10 and 87 years old.
Here’s what we know about them.
Matilda
Matilda, 10, was described by her aunt as a “very sweet, happy child, with a beautiful smile.”
She was enjoying the festivities at Bondi Beach with her parents, younger sister and friends, when the two gunmen opened fire. Matilda was wounded in the shooting and rushed to hospital, where doctors fought unsuccessfully to save her.
“Kids are supposed to be happy. They should be playing on the beach, not thinking about bullets flying around,” said her aunt Lina, who did not wish to share the family’s surname.
Matilda’s language teacher described her as a “bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her.” The teacher, Irina Goodhew, launched a GoFund Me page on behalf of Matilda’s family.
The family had moved from Ukraine to Australia in the 1990s, and enjoyed walks on the beach, picnics in the park and walks to the zoo, Lina said.
The Harmony Russian School of Sydney said Matilda was a former student in a statement posted on Facebook. “We honor her life and the time she spent as part of our school family,” the post said.
Rabbi Eli Schlanger
Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, organized the “Chanukah by the Sea” event at Bondi Beach and served as assistant rabbi at the Chabad of Bondi, the Jewish organization said in a statement.
“Schlanger was a devoted rabbi and chaplain,” Chabad said, adding that he worked tirelessly “to support Jewish life in the Bondi community.”
Born in London, Schlanger studied in France before being ordained as a rabbi in Brooklyn, New York City, the organization said.
Schlanger also served as a community chaplain in hospitals and prisons, “working tirelessly to bring warmth, faith, and Jewish pride to everyone he encountered,” a crowdfunding page endorsed by Chabad and dedicated to Schlanger said.
Schlanger’s cousin Rabbi Zalman Lewis described him as “truly an incredible guy,” in a Facebook post. “He leaves behind his wife & young children, as well as my uncle & aunt & siblings.”
The rabbi was a father of five, whose youngest son was only born in October, Chabad confirmed.
“Schlanger will be laid to rest in Sydney,” it added.
Alex Kleytman
Alex Kleytman, 87, was a Holocaust survivor who died while shielding his wife Larisa from one of the gunmen’s bullets, according to the Jewish organization Chabad.
He is being remembered as a man “whose life was defined by resilience and family.” A native of Ukraine, Kleytman leaves behind his wife, two children and 11 grandchildren, Chabad added.
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