By COLlive reporter
Photos by Mushka Lighstone
The mood in the room was somber. As a mother described her daughter’s last moments on earth, no dry eye was left in the room. Yet, the vivacious energy of this young soul was unmistakably palpable in the ambiance.
Last Wednesday, women and girls from across the Jewish community in Los Angeles, gathered to mark Shloshim – 30 days since the tragic loss of 11-year-old Chaya Mushka Spalter OBM, who passed away on Pesach Sheni.
The hall of Shaarei Tefilah Shul was filled with hundreds who gathered to mark the life of a spirited Chabad girl who through years of suffering brought joy and smiles to people from all walks of life.
As her father, Rabbi Mendy Spalter, Director of Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad in Los Angeles, went up to the podium to recite a siyum in her honor, sirens in the background resembled the internal cry in participants’ hearts.
VIDEO: Rabbi Mendey Spalter
World-renowned lecturer Rabbi YY Jacobson, who came in from New York especially for the event, presented a moving 50-minute tribute to Chaya Spalter.
“She taught us how to dance through life, but what was her secret?” he asked. “Chaya Mushkah was the life of the party. She radiated joy and excitement. How did she do it?”
He focused on the meaning of her two names Chaya Mushka, which mean life and fragrance. “She lived each moment to the fullest, and she imparted a sweet and delightful fragrance to everything and everybody she came in contact with.”
VIDEO: Rabbi YY Jacobson
A powerful lesson in unbreakable faith came from Chaya’s mother, Mrs. Hadassa Spalter, founder and director of Ohel Sara Seminary of Los Angeles, whose remarks were both emotional and courageous.
“I spoke at my mother’s Shloshim 5 years ago and that was meant to be it,” she said candidly about her mother, Rebbetzin Sara Rochel Schochet, OBM.
“The next step was supposed to be Moshiach,” Spalter stated. “Who would have imagined such a horror; a sickness we all want eradicated from the face of this earth.”
She wondered out loud, “How does a mother say these words to her daughter – it’s the most unnatural thing in the world…”
Spalter said her daughter was “an unbelievable lamplighter who affected all kinds of people by bringing such spirit and joy to every situation she came across… She infused us with strength, energy and inspired us ever step along the way.”
VIDEO: Hadassah Spalter
The family has announced during the tribute they will be dedicating a new Torah on the day of the Bas Mitzvah of Chaya, as part of the many Mitzvos that were done and continue being done in her loving memory and precious honor.
VIDEO: Slideshow presentation
Sunday 8 Elul.
August 23.
speeches I ever heard. The father uncomfortable in the setting shares beautiful stories which bring out some points of Chaya`s colorful personality and ends of with words of strong faith in the most natural way, Rabbi Jacobson in a powerful, emotional and sensitive talk weaving in words of Chazal and bringing out the personality and specialty of Chaya in such a beautiful way with such a nice message, and then the mother, may she be blessed, such a strong, wise and sensitive woman, such faith such an inspiration, may Hashem give them all the blessings they deserve with Bone Chaye… Read more »
I have no words the spalters are truly incredible.
So sad I am crying as I watch this
Hashem’s immeasurable gift to the Spalter family is, -Mrs. Spalter ‘תחי I listened and watched Mrs. Spalters remarks and they speak far more than the count of her words. The message from her broken heart obviously enter your heart and stir one to tears. The message is particularly consoling to those who have known a personal tragic loss. But the spiritual and emotional strength she emanates also portrays a quality beyond words. It is clear that as Chaya a”h was a Heavenly gift to her parents, to her family and friends, Chaya herself was the recipient of an exceptional gift… Read more »
Unbelievable girl!!!!! What a special neshama she had!!!!
What wrenching, beautiful, heartbreaking yet hopeful words from Chaya’s incredible mother.
May the light of Chaya’s spirit, and the ripple effect of Chaya’s countless Mitzvos give her family strength – now and always.
Thank you, Rabbi J. and the Spalters for your inspiring words of chizuk. To the amazing Spalters, may Hashem give you much comfort and strength and we should have Moshiach now!
the Spalters are absolutely amazing people!! may moshiach come immediately and we can all be reunited with Chaya again!! ad mosai
So well spoken, I was in tears. I never knew Chaya but I can see from her smile what a special girl she was.
Dear Spelter family wow this is such a beautiful videos clips i wanna to tell you that you made a big kiddush Hashem for sharing such beautiful stories i feel like crying this is so sad wow i am glad you put it on COL Rabbi J great speak Rabbi and mrs spalter great speak we want moshiach now simchas and nachas to the whole family
Not sure of actual date of this yet if it will be on this day ( 3 elul) or a few days later due to various events same time.
Her Bas Mitzvah will be 3 Elul, there is a website mitzvosforchaya.com with a goal of 12,000 mitzvos to be done by that date.
So moving, chaya effected me even though I never knew her. I want to be part of the sefer Torah, is there a way we can donate? Also when is Chaya’s bas mitzvah?
May the spalter only experience revealed good from here on! May we merit moshiach speedily so that pain will abolished from this world, and we will see our loved ones again
To see her excitement when she discovered she was going over the school and seeing the heart that the children created for her unbelievable what a smile what a beautiful child May we merits to have Moshiac to once again be reunited with that special Neshama.
I never comment on any articles and I rarely ever cry but I sobbed watching Mrs Spalters speech , I have never in my life seen such strength and emunah and as sad as I was to have heard the story of young Chaya’s passing I was moved to tears in awe of the strength your family possess. May you know no more sorrow and merit only revealed good from this moment on and forever and me we all merit the coming of moshiach speedily in our days so that we can all be reunited with our loved ones And… Read more »
Rabbi YY thank you! I did not know Chaya, but you brought out her life so vividly that I feel as though I knew her intimately. Shethei Zichro Boruch. Moshiach should be revealed immediately in her holy zchus.
nothing tests ones emunah quite like this…may Ha-em grant this wonderful family true nechoma
Hadassa – Your speech was incredibly inspiring & moving. May u & your family only know joy from now on and may you merit to greet Chaya o”bm here in Israel, together with Moshiach’s arrival…. and may it happen… immediately! אמן!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzmpPVMznTstdlhvWkZ6dmNXaE0/edit?usp=drive_web
What powerful and moving words. From the unbelievable speeches to the slideshow seems like an unforgettable evening. May the family have nechama speedily with the coming of Moshiach! You are a wealth of inspiration!
i don’t know what to say. i never knew Chaya personally, but I saw her and when I saw that she had left us, I was/am heartbroken. I am inspired by her family (and friends and community) who decided to turn it around and do what Chaya would have wanted. !!!
Mrs Spalter’s speech was AMAZING!!