Mourners help carry the coffins of Boris and Sofia Gurman after a funeral service at Sydney Chevra Kadisha memorial hall.Credit: Getty Images
Family and friends farewell Boris and Sofia Gurman.Credit: Janie Barrett
On Friday, hundreds of mourners gathered to remember the couple, spilling out onto the pavement outside the memorial hall.
“Boris and Sofia were taken from us, not just because they were Jewish, but fighting for being Jewish,” said the rabbi, also the father-in-law of Bondi victim Rabbi Eli Schlanger.
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“The world has seen the footage of, I think they were the first ones to go. They’ve seen a terrorist taking out his gun and courageously attacked him, tragically, to be killed with a second gun”.
In a statement written by the couple’s son, Alex, and read by Ulman, the pair were remembered as “partners in every sense” who built a life filled with “warmth, effort and love”.
Sofia had a “natural authority” about her and was quietly decisive within the family. Every year, the extended family knew and looked forward to her traditional Soviet wafer cake.
Boris was a mischievous youth but matured into a responsible, caring man who loved his garden, including his banana tree, lemons and chillies, which he shared with the neighbour.
“Sofia and Boris showed us what family truly means,” Ulman said.
The wife of Boris Tetleroyd and friends and family gather at Rookwood Cemetery for his funeral. He was a victim in a terrorist attack that killed 15 and wounded many more in Bondi Beach, Sydney.Credit: Janie Barrett
Funerals for two other Bondi victims, Edith Brutman and Boris Tetleroyd, were held at Lidcombe’s Rookwood Cemetery on Friday afternoon, also led by Ulman.
Boris Tetleroyd died after he was shot in Sunday’s massacre.
Tetleroyd’s wife Svetlana broke down in tears as his coffin was lowered into the ground, the shovelled dirt landing with a thud.
Tetleroyd and his son, Yakov, were both at Bondi Beach when the shooters opened fire. His son was seriously injured and is recovering from multiple surgeries.
In a statement this week, his family said they were living through an “unimaginable loss”, with Tetleroyd remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and caring stepfather.
“He was a warm, generous, and deeply sociable man, someone who loved conversation, connection, and helping others whenever he could,” the statement said.
Brutman was the 10th person buried following the massacre. Her funeral took place as temperatures topped nearly 40 degrees.
Edith Brutman, second from left, has been remembered as a devoted and passionate member of the Jewish community.Credit: JNF Australia
The funeral for Edith Brutman was held at Rookwood Cemetery.Credit: Louie Douvis
Ulman said he had known Brutman for nearly two decades, and said it was “truly difficult for me to imagine she isn’t here”. She was remembered for her love, loyalty and devotion.
“Edith wasn’t just a part of our lives; she was a very, very vocal part of our lives. But her love, her loyalty, her devotion, was really unique in every way,” he said.
Bondi Beach incident helplines:
- Bondi Beach Victim Services on 1800 411 822
- Bondi Beach Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228
- NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au
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