It wasn’t always this way. That’s why I count my blessings – and share them, too.
My father died when I was six; my mother passed away while I was still young. We were four children, two boys and two girls, who were raised by a maternal aunt. Part of my early training was in a Talmud Torah, where I developed a love for my people and their values. The void in my life after my husband died was partly filled by many trips to Israel as a volunteer (even during the Gulf War in 1991).
Being in Israel activated a stronger desire to help my fellow Jews. I saw firsthand how much they needed, how the immigrants were integrated into society, thanks in part to our help.
My interest in Ben Gurion University and the Weizmann Institute gave me pride in the brainpower of my people. Their goal was “tikun olam” – as was mine.
