An email from Kedumim

AP - Kevin Frayer.

Dear Friends of Kedumim, on Thursday evening the community of Kedumim was rocked by a suicide bomber�s explosion which killed four people, a husband and wife who are members of our community, a 16 year old boy (the son of other members of the community) and a 20 year old girl who was serving her national service in Kedumim. We are deeply saddened by this horrible tragedy and mourn the loss of their lives. The terrorist, no doubt, intended to enter the community and maximize the number of deaths.

Coming as this did on the heels of the Israeli elections and the approval of the Hamas Cabinet (during which one legislator, Hamed Bitawi, shouted: "The Koran is our constitution, Mohammed is our prophet, jihad [holy war] is our path, and dying for the sake of Allah is our biggest wish�).We are more convinced than ever before that declarations of further retreat send a message of weakness and breed encouragement to attack more and more. Despite the deep pain we are strong and determined and will continue to defend our land. Our response to the terrorist attacks and the attempts to uproot us is to continue to settle the land, to build more homes and absorb more families. We cherish our home and our homeland and, despite the setbacks, and grief we stand steadfast on the frontlines. Our community, now in it�s 30th year, continues to grow and to blossom with more and more children. Currently we are making a great effort to complete the synagogue in Northern Kedumim in order to serve the families of our second generation and the many newcomers who have chosen to build their lives with us.

We pray to God that He shall help us overcome the hardships and challenges of these days. We thank you all for your concern and support. With warm wishes to you and yours for a Hag Pesach Sameach.

Daniella Weiss, Raphaella Segal, Shoshana Shilo