UPDATE🚧:Boris and Sofia Gurman, 69 and 61, have been identified as the couple who heroically tried to stop the terrorist as he exited his car before the Chanukah massacre in Bondi Beach.
On a warm summer evening that was meant to be a celebration of hope and community, horror unfolded at Bondi Beach, Australia’s iconic shoreline, leaving a nation in grief and the world stunned. What began as a Hanukkah celebration turned into one of the deadliest terror attacks in modern Australian history when gunmen opened fire on thousands gathered near Archer Park on the first night of Chanukah. Fifteen innocent civilians were killed and dozens more wounded — but among the victims were two whose acts of courage have become a symbol of selflessness in the face of unspeakable evil. euronews
Boris and Sofia Gurman, ages 69 and 61, were identified on Tuesday as the couple who confronted one of the attackers in the opening moments of the assault. Dashcam and witness footage show Boris, a retired mechanic known for his quiet strength, tackling the gunman as he exited his vehicle. Sofia, his wife of 34 years and an Australia Post employee, rushed to his side in an effort to help. In that struggle — captured in stark, heartbreaking detail — both were fatally shot before the broader massacre began. VINnews+1
Their deaths were among the first in what officials have called an antisemitic terror attack largely aimed at Sydney’s Jewish community. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it as “an act of pure evil,” and global leaders have condemned the violence while expressing solidarity with Jewish Australians and all victims. euronews
Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Courage
Boris and Sofia lived modest, deeply rooted lives in the Bondi community. Their family told local press that they were devoted to each other, loved by friends and neighbors, and known for kindness in everyday interactions. Boris’s children spoke of a man who would lend a hand without hesitation — and Sofia’s colleagues remembered her thoughtful presence and unwavering loyalty. VINnews
In a joint statement released through the Sydney Morning Herald, their family said, “We are heartbroken by the sudden and senseless loss of our beloved Boris and Sofia Gurman.” They revealed that the couple had been looking forward to celebrating Sofia’s 62nd birthday and their 35th wedding anniversary — milestones tragically left unfulfilled. Parade
As dashcam footage circulated online, it became clear that what the Gurmans did in those first seconds was nothing short of extraordinary. Boris, wearing a purple shirt, emerged as the first civilian to confront one of the gunmen — identified by police as 50-year-old Sajid Akram. The Gurmans balanced instinctive bravery with total disregard for their own personal safety in a bid to stop the violence before it engulfed the beloved beach community. Yahoo News Malaysia
Chaos Erupts
The attack unfolded just before 6:50 p.m. on Sunday, drawing horror from what should have been a peaceful evening. Two gunmen, later linked by authorities to extremist ideology and possibly inspired by the Islamic State, opened fire near a “Chanukah by the Sea” event. Investigators found makeshift flags and other evidence pointing to terror motives in the vehicle from which the first shooter emerged. euronews
Within minutes, the sound of gunfire shattered the festive atmosphere. Witnesses described screaming, panic, and people desperately fleeing toward safety. Others, like Ahmed al-Ahmed, fought back — tackling a shooter and disarming him despite being wounded in the process. euronews
Yet for the Gurmans, that fight came before the broader chaos. Dashcam footage shows Boris tackling Akram and momentarily wrestling the weapon from his grasp. Sofia was seen supporting him — an image of partnership and bravery that has already left a profound impact on many around the globe. Less than a minute later, both would be killed, succumbing to wounds inflicted by the very gunman they tried to stop. Yahoo News Malaysia
Memories and Mourning
As memorials grow at the site of the massacre, mourners have left flowers, candles, and messages honoring the victims. Leaders of the Jewish community spoke of deep sorrow, mourning not only the elderly couple but also friends, children, and neighbors lost in the assault. Among the dead were a 10-year-old girl, Holocaust survivors, community rabbis, and other cherished members of Sydney’s multicultural fabric. ABC News+1
Family members of the Gurmans have expressed both immense grief and overwhelming pride. “While nothing can lessen the pain of losing Boris and Sofia,” their statement read, “we feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness.” They said the couple “treated everyone they met with kindness, warmth and respect” and that “their absence has left an immeasurable void.” Parade
Their story — of two ordinary people who confronted terror with courage — has resonated far beyond Bondi. In social media posts, tributes poured in from Sydney to New York, with many calling the Gurmans true heroes in the traditional sense: civilians who acted without hesitation to protect others at the cost of their own lives.
A Global Reckoning
The massacre has sparked not only grief but also political response. Australian authorities have vowed to tighten gun laws and strengthen anti-terror measures in the wake of this tragedy, which has reignited debate about public safety and extremism in a country long seen as relatively insulated from such mass violence. NBC New York
Across the world, Jewish communities are holding vigils, lighting menorahs in memory of those who died, and calling for unity against hatred. “Lightness will always persevere,” Rabbi Yossi Shuchat said at a Bondi vigil, echoing the ancient message of Hanukkah amid a moment of unimaginable darkness. The New Daily
Boris and Sofia Gurman will be remembered not only as victims of a heinous attack but as individuals whose instinct to protect and care helped define the human response to terror. Their love for each other and their willingness to stand in harm’s way for strangers is a testament to bravery that transcends borders and beliefs.
In Sydney, in Israel, and across Jewish and non-Jewish communities alike, their memory has become a blessing — one that many hope will inspire resilience, compassion, and peace in troubled times.
