These are the people who should have made it home from Bondi Beach.

On Sunday evening, more than 1,000 people gathered on the grass beside Bondi Beach for what was meant to be a celebration of love, light and community.

The Jewish Chanukah by the Sea event brought families together for a night that community leaders have described as "the jewel in the crown of the communal calendar".

There were petting zoos, food stalls, live entertainment and games, all set against the backdrop of one of Australia's most iconic beaches.

"Bring the family, let's fill Bondi with joy and light", the event flier read.

Instead, that same community's worst fears were realised.

Just before 7pm, a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son opened fire on the crowd, turning a night of innocence into one of unimaginable violence.

15 people lost their lives, aged between 10 years old and 87, NSW Premier Chris Minns said.

They should have made it home from Bondi.

This is what we know about their stories so far.

Listen to The Quicky remember the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack. Post continues below.

Adam Smyth, 50.

Adam was walking with his wife Katrina on Bondi Beach when they found themselves in the middle of the attack.

He leaves behind four children.

In a statement, his family said, "No words can describe the pain of our loss."

"Adam and Katrina were living their best lives together. Their shared love of family and friends, travel and sport — if not always the same team — made their time together truly special."

Adam loved his family and his pets, but he had three other great loves — his sports teams. He was a devoted fan of the English Premier League's Liverpool Football Club, the AFL's Sydney Swans and the NRL's Manly Sea Eagles.

"We will forever cherish the time we have had with him," his family said.

"Adam was a generous and kind person who will be dearly missed and is forever irreplaceable.

"You'll never walk alone."

Image: NSW Police.

Boris Tetleroyd.

Boris Tetleroyd and his son were attending the Chanukah event when they were both shot by the gunman. Boris, sadly, did not survive. He leaves behind a grieving family now facing an unimaginable loss.

A husband and father, Boris was the primary provider for his family. His wife is now navigating life as a widow, while their son — who was injured in the attack — is recovering in hospital.

"He was a warm, generous, and deeply sociable man, someone who loved conversation, connection, and helping others whenever he could. He brought people together, and he was happiest when surrounded by family and community," his family wrote in a tribute.

"Our family is grieving the sudden and violent loss of a beloved husband and father," Boris's niece, Leia Roitour, wrote on a GoFundMe set up to support the family as they grieve and adjust to life after the attack.

Boris Tetleroyd. Image: Supplied.

Edith Brutman.

Edith Brutman, the vice-president of NSW's anti-prejudice and anti-discrimination committee at international Jewish group B'nai B'rith, has been identified as one of the victims.

Her family released a statement about Edith's impact on those around her and her service to her community.

"Our beloved Edith was a woman of integrity who chose humanity every day. She met prejudice with principle, and division with service," they said.

"Our family mourns her deeply, but we ask that her life, not the senseless violence that took it, be what endures. We hope her memory calls us as a nation back to decency, courage, and peace."

Image: Supplied.

Boris Gurman, 69, and his wife Sofia, 61.

Boris and Sofia Gurman were the two other heroes who confronted the gunmen on December 14.

Dashcam footage being circulated shows Boris, wearing a purple shirt, tackling one of the shooters as the man emerges from a car with an ISIS flag draped over its front windscreen.

Boris appears to push the gunman onto the road and wrestle a firearm from his hand. Sofia also rushes into the confrontation. They were both killed.

Their family has released a statement of their loss.

"They were people of deep kindness, quiet strength and unwavering care for others. Devoted to their family and to each other, their absence has left a void that cannot be filled," they wrote.

"In the moments before their passing Boris, with Sofia courageously beside him, attempted to intervene to protect others. This act of bravery and selflessness reflects exactly who they were: people who instinctively chose to help, even at great personal risk.

"While nothing can lessen the pain of this loss, we feel immense pride in their courage and humanity."

The couple had been married for 34 years and were approaching their 35th wedding anniversary this January.

Their family was meant to celebrate Sofia's 62nd birthday on Wednesday, December 17.

Image: Supplied.

Reuven Morrison, 62.

At first, tributes described Reuven Morrison as another member of the Chabad community, with Chabad remembering him as a businessman from the Soviet Union who "discovered his Jewish identity in Sydney".

But the true bravery of his actions has since come to light.

The 62-year-old's daughter Sheina Gutnick identified Morrison as the man throwing a brick at the gunman after the shooter was tackled by bystander Ahmed al Ahmed.

She told ABC her father's selfless act of getting the shooter's attention and attempting to place himself in front of others when the shooting began allowed a woman and her baby to flee to safety.

Just moments later, he was fatally shot.

"From my sources and understanding, he had jumped up the second the shooting started. He managed to throw bricks … he was screaming at the terrorist, and protecting his community, he was shot dead," Gutnick told CBS News.

"If there was one way for him to go on this earth, it would be fighting a terrorist. There was no other way he would be taken from us. He went down fighting, protecting the people he loved most.

"That's him. That's my dad. As I called him, my Tati, in Yiddish.

"Everyone [who] knew him knew the incredible man that was just too big for this world. The light that he added, his absolute immense and endless generosity, his sense of humour. He was just the most incredible person."

Melbourne-based Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann also paid tribute to Morrison, remembering him as "the most beautiful, generous man who had a gorgeous smile that would light up the room", per the ABC.

Kaltmann said Morrison came to Australia as a refugee and built a life for himself here, becoming an instrumental member of Chabad Bondi.

Morrison split his time between Melbourne and Sydney. He leaves behind a wife, daughter and grandchildren.

Image: Supplied.

Tibor Weitzen, 78.

Tibor Weitzen's granddaughter confirmed the 78-year-old was a victim of the attack.

Speaking to ABC, Leor Amzalak remembered him as "full of life, joy and laughs".

"My grandfather was truly the best you could ask for," she said.

"He was so proud of us … and loved us more than life itself."

Image: Supplied

Marika Pogany, 82.

Marika Pogány, lovingly known as Omi, has been identified as one of the victims.

Her family have remembered her as "a beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and steadfast friend, whose warmth and energy touched countless lives".

"Vibrant and full of life, she brought joy and energy into every room and found her greatest happiness surrounded by her adoring family," they said in a statement.

"Her darling son Romy was her greatest achievement and her world."

Her family said Pogany moved from Czechoslovakia to Australia in 1968 with Romy and her protector, her brother Ivan.

After becoming an Australian citizen in 1972, Pogany embraced her life as an Australian.

"She was very proud of her country," her family said.

"She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people. Her kindness, laughter, and generosity left a lasting mark on everyone she met, and her incredible network of friends was a true reflection of the love and loyalty she inspired."

A dedicated volunteer, Pogany was the "beating heart" of Jewish senior support and food delivery service Centre of Activity Sydney for 29 years.

"Marika showed us how people should be cared for," COA said in a statement.

"She took the time to know every person on her route. She chatted. She listened. She noticed the small things. She changed lightbulbs, literally bringing light into people's homes.

"Her joy and spirit carried people through their week and through their loneliness."

Slovakia's former president Zuzana Čaputová, a close friend of Pogany, said Pogany's mother and uncle were the only ones in her family to return from Auschwitz.

"Sydney was her haven, far from the evils of fascism and communism," Čaputová wrote on Facebook.

A dedicated friend, Pogany never missed a major milestone in Čaputová's life.

"Marika was an exceptional woman, she lived her life to the fullest," she said. "In the last message that Marika sent me, among other things, she wrote: 'Life is a struggle and you have to take it as it is.'

"The difficulty of her life taught her to face all challenges head-on, not to give up. I will miss Marika a lot in my life."

Image: Facebook/COA Sydney.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41.

Rabbi Eli Schlanger was a key member of the Bondi Jewish community, serving as the assistant rabbi at Chabad of Bondi.

"For 18 years, since his marriage to wife Chaya, he has served as a rabbi and chaplain in the Bondi community," Chabad said in a social media tribute.

The 41-year-old father of five had only recently welcomed a baby boy, a family member told BBC.

His cousin Rabbi Zalman Lewis said Rabbi Schlanger was born in north-west London and moved with his family as a child to New York before marrying an Australian.

Zohran Mamdani, the mayor-elect of New York City, shared on social media how Schlanger had deep ties to the neighbourhood of Crown Heights.

Image: Instagram/kelliesloanemp.

Schlanger was an organiser of the Chanukah event, sharing it on his social media page, Bondi Rabbi.

Lewis told BBC his cousin was "vivacious, energetic, full of life and a very warm outgoing person who loved to help people".

"I know how he would have been reacting and it was something he said recently," he said.

"Every human being on earth has a positive way to contribute to making the world a better place, and we just have to keep spreading light. The world is a positive place and we need to show that and I know Eli would be saying that."

Alex Kleytman, 87.

Alex Kleytman was celebrating Chanukah with his wife of five decades and grandchildren when the shooting began.

His wife Larisa Kleytman recalled hearing a "boom boom" before everyone fell.

"At this moment, he was behind me and at one moment, he decided to go close to me," she told The Australian.

"He pushed his body up because he wanted to stay near me."

The couple were both Holocaust survivors who had created a life for themselves in Australia.

Born in 1938, he survived the hardships of World War II in frozen Siberia, "carrying with him a lifetime of extraordinary stories of resilience, survival, and unexpected luck", his family said.

"He cherished Australia, the Australian way of life, the freedom, democracy, people, all of it."

Kleytman was an engineer by trade and loved his profession. After retiring, he became a lobbyist and then found his real profession: writing books about the lives of Jewish people in the Soviet Union.

"He played table tennis and chess with passion and enthusiasm throughout his life and was a school champion," his family said in a statement.

"He loved his wife, Larisa, with unparalleled passion, the kind you only see in the movies."

The Kleytmens even married a second time on their 25th anniversary, but this time according to Jewish law, after Kleytman found Judaism in his 50s.

His family said Kleytmen died doing what he loved most: "protecting Larisa, standing proudly as a Jew, and celebrating the Festival of Lights."

"The two gunmen killed him, but his memories, his legacy, and his books will bring light for generations to come," they said.

He's survived by his wife, two children and 11 grandchildren.

"Loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and a passionate professional across many fields, you touched so many lives. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten."

Image: Supplied.

Matilda, 10.

10-year-old Matilda has been confirmed as the youngest victim.

She was celebrating Chanukah with her parents, younger sister and friends on Sunday and had only just enjoyed the petting zoo when the gunmen opened fire.

"Matilda was very friendly, she loves school, and has a lot of friends," her aunt Lina told ABC.

"She's just a happy kid, always gives me cuddles."

Lina said her family was worried about Matilda's younger sister, who had witnessed the attack.

"She's in absolute shock and stress, she's missing her sister badly, she was lucky she didn't get any injuries, but her mental state now [is a worry]," Lina said.

"Imagine you see your beautiful sister that you love just being killed in front of you.

"They were like twins — they've never been separated."

A fundraiser set up by Matilda's language teacher remembered her as a "bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her".

Mamamia has permission to identify and picture Matilda.

Image: GoFundMe.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan.

Rabbi Yaakov Levitan was also among the victims.

He served as secretary of the Sydney Beth Din and worked at the BINA Centre, according to Chabad.

Levitan was distributing tefillin — a pair of small black leather boxes containing Torah scrolls, worn by Jewish men during morning prayers — just moments before the shooting broke out.

Image: Supplied.

Dan Elkayam, 27.

On Sunday night, Dan was playing football at the beach and celebrating the lighting of the Hannukah Candles.

When the shooting began, he ran for his life. He never made it.

His family says he leaves behind a partner in Australia, as well as his parents, brothers, nieces, and nephews in Paris, France, where he was born and raised.

The 27-year-old was an IT engineer who was beginning to build his future in Australia, a country he loved.

"Dan loved life — fully and intensely," his family said in a statement.

"He travelled the world and was known for his gentle, kind, fun and loving nature, making friends wherever he went."

He was a passionate footballer, playing for several clubs in both France and Australia.

One such club was Sydney's Rockdale Ilinden Football Club, which described him as "an extremely talented and popular figure amongst team mates".

"Our deepest and sincerest condolences to Dan's family, friends and all that knew him. He will be missed," the club wrote in a statement on Facebook.

Alongside football, Dan loved the outdoors.

"He was a certified scuba diver and an explorer at heart, always eager to discover new places, cultures, and experiences," his family said.

"Dan brought light wherever he went and inspired countless people through the way he lived. His smile could light up any room. He was pure joy — a beautiful and humble soul.

"To say that Dan will be missed is not enough. He was a person who truly wanted to do good in the world, to share his love of life and his sense of adventure with everyone around him.

"It is now our responsibility to carry forward the light that Dan spread."

Image: Facebook/Rockdale Ilinden FC.

Peter Meagher, 60.

Randwick Rugby Club have confirmed that former police officer, rugby union player and photographer Peter Meagher died at Bondi on Sunday. He was 60 years old.

Meagher is understood to have been working as a freelance photographer at the Chanukah event at Bondi Beach when the shooting took place.

"'Marzo' as he was universally known, was a much loved figure and absolute legend in our club, with decades of voluntary involvement, he was one of the heart and soul figures of Randwick Rugby," the club said in a statement.

"For much of the last decade, Marzo has been our trusted First Grade Manager and this news has already hit our players, coaches, managers, volunteers and supporters extremely hard. Prior to that he was also a highly respected long term referee who was well known and respected in Sydney Rugby circles.

"Our deepest condolences go to his wife Virginia, his brothers Greg, David, Andrew and Paul, their extended families and mountain of friends across Randwick Rugby, NSW Police, Sydney Rugby Referees and our local community."

Peter Meagher. Image: Supplied.

How to help following the Bondi Beach shooting.

In the aftermath of the Bondi Beach shooting, many people are searching for meaningful ways to help during the incredibly distressing time. If you're able:

You can support victims and their families by donating to verified GoFundMe fundraisers established in response to the attack here.

By giving blood at your nearest Australian Red Cross Lifeblood centre, to help those receiving medical care. Find your nearest donation centre here.

You can also pay your respects and share messages of support via the NSW Government's Online Condolence Book, which offers comfort and solidarity to those affected. You can sign the book here.

Feature image: Facebook.