כ״ה אלול תשפ״ו

Dear Friend,

It’s that time of year again. We are wrapping up the month of Elul. It’s still sunny and bright outdoors, but each day the temperature slowly lowers, making way for a slight breeze. This creates space, space for introspection, space to be slower, to connect to our Neshama and take stock. In this space there is also so much yearning and wishing, as we beseech Hashem for a year filled with life, parnassa, health and peace.

When this green envelope arrived in your mailbox, you were probably reminded why this time of year is specifically meaningful for me. For when the new year approaches we as a people begin our journey. We climb through the majesty of Rosh Hashana, the inward processing of Aseres Yimei Teshuva, the awe of Yom Kippur and the overflowing joy and contentment of Sukkos. My journey on the Tishrei trail is both similar and different to most people’s. While it has all the big feelings: the majesty, depth, wishes and hopefully much introspection, Sukkos hits differently. The joy is there but it sits alongside the grief and longing for Mommy.

It’s been four long years since Mommy’s petirah, on chof Tishrei, Shabbos Chol Hamoed. The presence of her loss changes in form as time goes on, but it never leaves. But her life force has never left us either. Her life was filled with softness, humility and genuine care for others and it is still so present. It was one of leaning into her Neshama and into Hashem’s presence, like an extended Tishrei. At times, though, it’s hard to access this feeling. When she was here, there was an ease, and just being near her gave me a free pass into this special space of gentleness, security and deep connection. I miss davening alongside her on the Yamim Noraim and watching her connect so deeply with little strain or agenda. It was so natural. I believe those of you who were present in shul with us feel the same.

As I’m writing this letter, a story comes to mind. I think it illustrates her purity and makes me smile too. My mother was very close to a Rav from Yerushalayim, Rav Sheinberger zt”l, who belonged to the Eida Chareidus. He was a pure Yerushalmi Tzadik who would come to America periodically to collect Tzedaka. In fact, I have early memories of her taking me to receive brachos from him.

Her connection to the Rav began even before she got married. She would visit the small basement where he stayed to give tzedaka and receive brachos. When my parents got engaged, my mother excitedly brought my father to him to share the simcha. The Rav told my father that my mother, his kallah, was very special. He shared that on one of his visits, in the heat of the humid Brooklyn summer, she came to receive her usual bracha. She then thanked the Rav and left. Surprisingly, a little while later, she returned to the little basement, this time lugging a large package. She then proceeded to unpack the box, and after installation, the basement now sported an amenity, a new air conditioner! Apparently, my mother noticed that the apartment was extremely hot and she wanted to alleviate the discomfort for both the Rav and his many visitors.

The Rav shared this story, and I believe it’s because it was this humble, thoughtful gesture that exemplified her life of following the lead of her neshama. This kind, connected presence is what brought support and comfort to so many others. We miss it greatly, but it is still here, especially at the time of her Yartzeit. Let’s reach for it.

You may remember the gift we sent in past years, an aliya to her neshama. It warmed my heart that so many of my friends and extended family gave with generosity. Or it may be the first time I’m asking you to join. I have committed, along with the support of you all, to sponsor the month of Tishrei for Kollel Boker Mashkimei Kuma. The Kollel, located in Meah Shearim, runs under the auspices of HaGoan Hatzadik Rav Avraham Gutstein Shlita. It is composed of many choshuve avreichim who come together each morning at the crack of dawn to learn in Yerushalayim Ir Hakodesh. I have personally benefitted from the daas Torah and guidance of the Rav. It is a cause that is dear to me, and anyone who knew my mother would know how happy this would make her. Harav Gutstein also requested that those who contribute to this worthy cause of Hachzakas Hatorah submit their names, so that he can daven that they see brachos and yeshuos. Also, if the monthly budget is exceeded, as it was last year, many additional yungeleit will be welcomed into the Kollel, based on the amount of funds available. This will send a bigger gift to her neshama and be a great zechus to all those who take part.

In each of the past years, when I received pictures and videos of the Yerushalmi Yungeleit learning with sweetness on the morning of her yartzeit, while the rest of the city slept, I smiled because it personified her. The sweetness, serenity, humility, and connection to Hashem. That was Mommy. By joining in this special cause, you will connect to her beautiful Neshama. And whether you knew her personally or not, I hope you will be able to reach and touch the gift she left. Her connection and purity are still so present.

Wishing you and your families a Gut Gebentched Yar!

Warmly,

Pessie

Please send your קוויטלעך to:

Zichronsimcharochel@gmail.com

and they will be printed and brought to the Rav

לעלוי נשמת אמי מורתי שמחה רחל מלכה בת ר' אברהם יצחק