When I first moved to Israel and to Jerusalem a good friend of mine said ,"Jerusalem is a city but you will keep meeting and seeing the same people till you are convinced that city only has 200 inhabitance.”
Yesterday afternoon, the global village of Jerusalem, Israel and the world lost one of its own, as the of soul Ayala Pamela bat Leah left earth to take its place in the world to come, it seemed that not only the whole city of Jerusalem but globally. people were sharing the loss of this vivacious, fun loving , shining, courageous lady.
I had never formally been introduced to Ayala Pamela bat leah but I had seen her around, and had been struck by her smile, warmth radiated from her across a shul or a room. Ayala Pamela bat Leah was a true friend to many friends of mine.
Yesterday her mother wrote that she "held her but couldn’t save her”. As a mother I can’t imagine anything worse..... My heart went out to her I wished I could heal the heart of her mother, her sister ,her husband, her children and all her friends, but there are no words.
A few short weeks ago Ayala Pamela was diagnosed with cancer, during the space of her short but sever illness she touched the hearts of people all over the world ; social media was used for the good, tehillim was said, challas baked, money donated, shuirs given, mitzvahs taken on in her name; all over the globe. This outpouring happened not just in Jerusalem, but in community’s as far apart as Johannesburg, London, New York, Kansas, Toronto and LA . We all came together with one heart to support Ayala and her family.
We must not think this was in vain, for every prayer, every mitzvah, every thought, not only supported but comforted and possibly added to the life of this special young woman. Moreover, importantly we were all linked together as one, as Am Yisroel should be ; I am no doubt that in zehut of the mitzvots she gave us all ,that Ayala Pamelas neshama will rise to great heights in Gan Eden.
None of us know what is round the corner in life, we say Baruch Dayan Emet, Hashem is the true judge, when we hear of a death.However when you are battling cancer or you are a cancer survivor, hearing of the death of someone with this illness makes one question ones own mortality, almost makes one feel guilty for fighting and winning the fight ; Let us unite in Ayala Pamela’s zehut and pray for all the cholim of Am yisroel.
May he who comforts all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem hold the mother, sister, husband children .all the family and friends of this amazing courageous young woman in his heart, and give them strength and comfort in the days ahead.
Although a light has gone out in Jerusalem I have no doubt that her Neshama is shinning brightly from above .
Thank you Ayala Pamela for increasing my kavana when davening and uniting Am Yisroel in prayer and good deeds.
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