Genia Poleis

Oct 26, 2005 -- Genia Poleis, 66, of Hadera was the sixth victim of the suicide bomber who detonated himself at Hadera's open-air market shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, October 26. She was mortally wounded in the attack and died 11 days later, on November 5. Five others were murdered and 55 wounded in the attack. 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 were Michael Kaufman, Pirhiya Machlouf, Sabiha Nissim, Jamil Qa'adan, and Ya'acov Rahmani.

Genia Poleis came on aliya from Moscow in 1993 with her husband, Vitaly, and son, Leonid. The couple, both engineers, did not find work and spent their time helping to raise their three grandchildren, Liza, 15, Avi, 12, and Maria, nine months.

On the day of the attack, they had gone to a medical clinic and then to the market to shop for fruit and vegetables. "They were together when the explosion occurred and fell to the ground," their daughter-in-law, Natalia, related. Vitaly Poleis remains hospitalized with moderate wounds.

"Only today they told Vitaly in the hospital that his wife had died, and he couldn't stop crying," Natalia said. "They were together all the time; they loved to hike and to travel abroad. She was a wonderful woman, good and helpful."

Genia Poleis was buried at the New Hadera Cemetery. She is survived by her husband, Vitaly, who was brought to the funeral from the hospital, her son, Leonid, and three grandchildren.