Alex Kleytman’s family recalls his ‘unparalleled passion’ for wife, love of Australia

The family of Alex Kleytman, a Holocaust survivor killed in this week’s terror attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, remembers him in a statement as someone who deeply loved his family and his adopted home of Australia.

Kleytman, 87, was the oldest person killed in the massacre on Sunday. According to his wife, he was killed while shielding her from the bullets with his own body.

The family releases the statement via police following his funeral earlier today, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

“He loved his wife, Larisa, with unparalleled passion, the kind you only see in the movies,” the statement says.

“Alex discovered Judaism in his 50s and became observant after immigrating to Australia, where he married Larisa AGAIN on the 25th anniversary of their civil wedding, but this time according to Jewish law,” the statement continues. “Equally, he cherished Australia, the Australian way of life, the freedom, democracy, people, all of it. In his presence, no one could ever criticise anything about his beloved new home.”

It continues, The two gunmen killed him, but his memories, his legacy, and his books will bring light for generations to come … you touched so many lives. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.”

We mourn the loss of Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman. After enduring the horrors of the Nazi regime, to face the same antisemitic hatred once again at Bondi Beach is truly heartbreaking. Alex, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, leaves behind a family who cherished him… pic.twitter.com/c23OOQUZPp

— Israel in Australia (@IsraelinOZ) December 18, 2025

Israel’s embassy in Australia memorializes Kleytman as “a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, [who] leaves behind a family who cherished him deeply.”