There is rarely much separation between terror victims in Israel and loved ones here in Colorado.
 

Scan the gory headlines from over there, and you'll likely find an affected family or close friend living in our midst.

So it is with Dalya Lemkus z"l, 26, who was twice a victim of Arab-on-Jew terror in Israel. In February 2006, after she was one of two people stabbed at the Gush Etzion junction by a terrorist, she vowed to respond by continuing her routines unabated by fear. "Terror won't control my life," she vowed.
 

And it never did.
 

Tragically, however, terror did end her life on November 10th of last year.

Dalya Lemkus z"l

On that fateful day, Dalya, one of six children of South African olim Nachum and Brenda Lemkus, found herself once again only a short distance from the hitch-hiking post where she was first attacked. Dalya was again seeking a ride home to the Tekoa settlement. Only this time, when a Jihadist first ran her over with his vehicle and then completed his evil mission by stabbing her, Dalya did not survive.

Another of Israel's bright, vibrant and priceless young lives was extinguished.

A Shloshim service for Dalya, marking 30 days since her burial, was held at BMH-BJ on December 9th, organized by Brian and Sarina Lemkus Kopinsky, her uncle and aunt, as well as other members of our community.
 

The service for Dalya, led by Cantor Joel Lichterman, included recitation of the 26th Psalm, appropriate for both its content and because Dalya will eternally remain a 26 year old.

Read more about Dalya and her Shloshim in Denver here.

Click here to hear Cantor Lichterman and the BMH-BJ choir sing the Al Tira prayer - "Have No Fear."
 

To hear the remarks of Sarina Lemkus Kopinsky, click here.

To hear the remarks of Brian Kopinsky, click here.

To hear the remarks of Rabbi Marc Gitler, click here.
 

It is a tradition for those who gather for the Shloshim to give to charity on behalf of the deceased. Dalya's family has requested that funds be donated to complete and furnish the Simchat Dalya Hall at Congregation Sukkat David in Tekoa, where Dalya prayed every Shabbat.

To make a tax-deductible donation, visit the Gush Etzion Foundation at: http://www.gush-etzion.org.il/donate_now1.asp. Please be sure to note that your contribution is for "Simchat Dalya." You can also donate by credit card by phoning 800-705-1626.