The daughter of Bondi terror attack victim Alex Kleytman is spearheading a study to help police, paramedics and other emergency workers better manage the psychological toll of future mass casualty incidents.
Professor Sabina Kleitman, a psychology academic at the University of Sydney, has spent about a decade researching cognitive fitness and mental resilience. After her father was shot dead while shielding his wife, Larisa, at the Chanukah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, she is now seeking to include first responders in that work.
Professor Kleitman told media outlets she and her mother continue to grapple with profound grief, but the tragedy has strengthened her resolve to improve Australia’s preparedness for terror attacks. Her personal loss has sharpened her focus on how people respond when lives are suddenly shattered.
“People assume resilience is something you are born with. It is, and it is not,” she told The Daily Telegraph. “We know people can develop and strengthen it.”
Her latest research, supported by the University of Sydney and Partnered Health, builds on years of work with Australia’s defence sector on mental fitness. The project examines how people respond under extreme pressure, aims to identify psychological vulnerabilities early and seeks to build resilience through training.
The study uses a behavioural computer game in which participants are unaware they are being assessed. It aims to uncover hidden weaknesses in coping, decision-making and stress responses to better prepare frontline personnel.
Professor Kleitman highlighted the emotional burden on first responders at the Bondi scene and pointed to gaps exposed by the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. “We were not prepared enough,” she said. “My research is to find those vulnerabilities and address them so we can toughen up if we get another terror attack. Australia is not immune anymore.”
The commission, established in January 2026, released its interim report on 30 April. Commissioner Virginia Bell AC SC examined the antisemitic attack, which claimed 15 lives, and issued 14 recommendations. The final report is due by the first anniversary on 14 December 2026.
NSW Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley praised the courage of officers and first responders, saying the government is committed to their support. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said authorities would consider the commission’s findings to strengthen services and community recovery.
For Professor Kleitman, the work honours her father’s legacy. After retiring, he wrote about Jewish life under Soviet repression to warn younger generations about antisemitism.
His proudest moment was becoming an Australian citizen in a country where he could live openly and safely as a Jew. His daughter now aims to turn trauma into practical tools for those who respond to violence.