Michael Kaufman

Oct 26, 2005 -- Michael Kaufman, 68, of Hadera was one of six people who were murdered and 55 wounded, six of them seriously, when a suicide bomber detonated himself at Hadera's open-air market shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, October 26.

Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred in front of a felafel stand at the entance to the seaside town's market. Hadera has been a frequent target of attacks during the past five years of violence.

The other victims killed in the bombing were Pirhiya Machlouf, Sabiha Nissim, Jamil Qa'adan, and Ya'acov Rahmani. A sixth victim, Genia Poleis, died of her wounds 11 days later.

Kaufman's son, Alex, related how his father might have been saved from the blast had his doctor's appointment been on time. Michael Kaufman had arrived at the clinic to find the appointment before his had been cancelled, and was glad to finish early and have time to go shopping for fruit and vegetables in the Hadera market.

Kaufman made aliya 12 years ago from Uzbekistan, where he was a senior manager in a car factory. He had difficulty finding a similar job and was unemployed at the time of his death.

"We'll remember him as an exemplary father and grandfather, who always loved us and did everything for us," Alex said.

Michael Kaufman was buried in the New Hadera Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, his son, Alex, a daughter, and grandchildren.