Bondi Massacre: Matilda’s Parents on Losing Their Daughter, Antisemitism & Finding the Strength to Keep Living

Sarah Grynberg (0:00)

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SPEAKER_2 (0:47)

We are following another deadly mass shooting, this one in Australia, where police say two gunmen opened fire on Sydney's famous Bondi Beach.

SPEAKER_3 (0:55)

This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah.

SPEAKER_4 (1:00)

I saw a few bodies laying on the ground, it's just not what you want to see in Australia, people running, screaming.

Valentyna Britvan (1:06)

I declared this to be a terrorist incident.

Sarah Grynberg (1:09)

Hanukkah is a celebration of light over darkness, and we were celebrating that, and then darkness hit. On Sunday 14th of December 2025, at 6.42pm, two men walked onto a pedestrian bridge beside a car park overlooking Archer Park at Bondi Beach. Below them, Jewish families had gathered for Hanukkah by the Sea, a celebration of the Festival of Lights, honouring faith, freedom and hope. The two men opened fire, deliberately targeting Jewish people.

In just six minutes, they murdered 15 innocent people, men, women and a 10-year-old child. Forty others were injured. It was the deadliest terrorist attack ever carried out on Australian soil and one of the darkest days in our nation's history.

My conversation today is with Michael and Valentyna Britvan and their daughter Summer. Their 10-year-old daughter and sister Matilda was the youngest person murdered at the Festival. This is a story of unimaginable loss, enduring love and survival. In this deeply heartfelt conversation, we speak about their journey from Ukraine to Australia, the country they believed was the lucky country. We also discuss the day their daughter was brutally taken from them, the chaos that followed, the rise of antisemitism, and what they see as bias within parts of the media that has helped fuel division and hatred in the community.

Michael Britvan (2:48)

And that's when the shooting started.

Valentyna Britvan (2:51)

And when Michael said, it's actually a shooting, like down, I just run away from Michael, looking for my girls.

Sarah Grynberg (3:06)

I'm Sarah Grynberg, and this is A Life Of Greatness. Through my years of studying and researching the connection between human behavior, personal growth, and transformation, I have discovered the keys to unlocking greatness within others. In this podcast, I share stories and experiences from my own teachings, along with conversations with inspiring guests to help you learn the simple tips, habits, practices, and strategies to cultivate an extraordinary existence.

Michael and Valentina are two of the most courageous and wise people I have ever met. In Matilda's honor, they established the Matilda Foundation to promote the kindness and goodwill their beautiful little girl embodied. This conversation highlights what it means to keep living when your world has been shattered and how even in unimaginable grief, love can become a force for purpose, kindness and change. My hope is that this conversation changes the way you respond to hatred, the courage you find to speak when others remain silent, and the kindness you choose each day. That is how we ensure Matilda is remembered, not only for the horrific way her life ended, but for the beautiful way she lived and the light she continues to leave behind.

Valentyna and Michael, welcome to A Life Of Greatness podcast. It's an absolute honor to have you both here today.

Valentyna Britvan (4:49)

Thank you.

Michael Britvan (4:50)

Hi, Dune. How are you?

Sarah Grynberg (4:51)

I'm good. I wanted to start by getting to know you guys and you telling us a bit about your background. You're both from the Ukraine, but you actually didn't meet in the Ukraine. You met when you're in Australia.

First, tell us, Valentyna, a bit about your life in the Ukraine and why you decided to move to Australia.

Valentyna Britvan (5:12)

I decided to move to Australia just to provide better life to my son.

And I always thought that Western countries are much better than Ukraine, or Russia, or post-Soviet Union. So when I had that opportunity, I just took it and here we are, we are in Australia.

Sarah Grynberg (5:36)

And how many years ago did you move to Australia?

Valentyna Britvan (5:40)

In 2009

Sarah Grynberg (5:42)

2009, yeah. And is your family, your parents, are they in the Ukraine or are they here?