My Dear Teacher, Mrs. Zaklos

By G. N.

I’m not one who usually cries about losses. I would feel pain, an intense pain but I never usually cry. When I heard the news about my teacher, however, it didn’t take long before I was crying. And I cried hard, like a never-ending waterfall.

I didn’t know she was so sick. I never would have imagine that our Sichos final would be my last memory of her.

I cried hard but after more than an hour of intense pain and tears, I told myself that she wouldn’t want me to be sad now. She would expect us to take a hachlata to bring Moshiach. A hachlata to strengthen our hiskashrus and love for the Rebbe’s horaos.

That was Mrs Zaklos. She lived such an emesdike and mekushardike life. We learned in Yiddish because that was the Rebbe’s language. Those were the Rebbe’s words. It was really inspiring to see her love and warmth for Yiddishkeit. Even when she was so sick, her weekly source of life were the classes that she taught us, imparting to us her passion for the Rebbe’s messages. We delved into the Rashis but really we were learning and exploring the Rebbe’s intellect and vision. We starting seeing and viewing Torah through the Rebbe’s lenses. When a student guessed an answer or finally grasped a difficult idea she beamed out of nachas for giving us the ability to understand and view life through the Rebbe’s eyes.

Everything was with a passion. You saw it in the noble manner she presented herself in and in the way she some. She was a real example of a true Chossid. I looked forward to her classes because she was so real. She lived her life the way the Rebbe would have wanted her to.

She cared for her students. When a girl had a Simcha, she remembered to wish her Mazal Tov even if the next class was a week or two later. She noticed when girls were missing. She created a cozy feeling around the table in her dining room- a room which was set aside to be our classroom.

She imparted real life lessons to us, not only by the Sichos she taught but mostly by being an example. Her life was rich and happy and you saw it.

When I heard the news, my first reaction were tears. But that was not her way. She would bang her hand on the desk and ask us what will we do about it. She would want us to take action.

Mrs Zaklos was a living example to me and she will always have a fond place in my heart. And each time I learn a Rashi and a Rashi Sicha, I’m sure you’ll be looking down with Nachas at your students.

Thank you for your powerful messages and all you’ve given us this year.
We’ll always remember you and your love for the Rebbe’s teachings.

Love,
Your students of BCM Seminary Montreal 5774