The family of Matilda, the youngest victim of the Bondi shootings, said their final goodbyes to the 10-year-old on Thursday, urging the community not to let her death spark outrage.
Matilda was one of 15 people shot dead when two gunmen opened fire at events marking the start of Hanukkah at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday.
In an interview with the BBC at Matilda’s funeral, her aunt Lina Chernykh said the Jewish community was right to want more action to stamp out anti-Semitism. So does she.
But she said Matilda was a joyful child who spread love wherever she went, and urged the community to do the same in her honor.
“Please hold back your anger… and send happiness, love and memories to my lovely niece,” Chernykh said.
“I hope she becomes an angel now. Maybe she will send some good vibes to the world.”
Jewish community leaders recently argued that the tragedy was an inevitable consequence of Australia struggling to tackle a growing problem of anti-Semitism.
The attack is the country’s deadliest since a gunman killed 35 people during the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.
Mourners, including Governor-General Sam Mostyn and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, packed a service in Sydney wearing bee brooches and stickers in memory of the girl who loved them.
Michael and Valentyna named their daughter after the song Waltzing Matilda as a tribute to the country in which the Ukrainian family found safety.
“She’s waltzing with the angels,” Minns said, reciting a poem in her honor.
Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, who led the service, had to pause for a moment to collect himself as he commemorated Matilda’s short life.
“The tragic, utterly brutal and unfathomable murder of little Matilda is as significant to all of us as if our daughter had been taken from us,” he said.
The service heard how she lived in beauty, goodness and righteousness.
Rabbi Ullman said, “Jews… believe that death is impermanent… and that is not because we are naive.”
“I tell you with absolute certainty that my separation from Matilda is not permanent.”
Still, he acknowledged that his words would offer little comfort. This is a fact he knows all too well. A day earlier, Rabbi Ulman spoke at the funeral of his son-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was killed in the Bondi attack.
“You give me strength when I need it, and I try to do the same.” He spoke to Matilda’s parents, who were sobbing in the front row.
Mr Chernik previously said the family was devastated.
She said of Matilda’s parents, “I look at their faces and I don’t know if they will ever be happy again.”
Matilda’s sister was “inseparable” and left her shattered and confused, she said. “She doesn’t have tears enough to cry.”
The youngest victim of the shooting was laid to rest that same day, while the oldest victim was also laid to rest. A memorial service for 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman was held Thursday morning at the same funeral home.
His family said in a statement that he died doing what he loved most: protecting his wife, Larissa, and celebrating his Jewish faith.
“Two gunmen killed him, but his memory, his legacy and his books will bring light to generations to come.”
Police have designated the attack a terrorist incident, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said it appears to have been motivated by Islamic State ideology.
Police claimed the two shooters were father and son. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead at the scene, and his son Navid, 24, was charged with 59 offences, including 15 murders and one count of terrorism.
Australia announced Thursday it would strengthen laws cracking down on hate, including introducing powers to cancel or refuse visas on the grounds of anti-Semitism.
