Today, Sunday, January 19, marks the 3rd yahrtzeit of Thalia Hakin, the ten-year-old Australian who was tragically killed when a motorist stormed Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall on a Friday afternoon, Tevet 22, 5777 (January 20, 2017).
Thalia was a student at Beth Rivkah Ladies College (BRLC) and is lovingly remembered by many for her smile, warm nature and enthusiasm for Jewish life. It was only following her passing, that Nechama Laber (Jewish Girls Unite Global Director) discovered what has become Thalia’s timeless and uplifting message of hope and light, that has since been shared across the world.
“When you light up a candle you light up your neshama [soul]. And you light up the world. And when you light up the world you make it a better place. Like for you and me and everybody. Now the world is dark but soon to be bright for us. And im yirtze Hashem [G‑d willing] Moshiach will come.” – Thalia Hakin, Age 9
These words were Thalia’s submission to JGU’s (Jewish Girls Unite) 2015 “One More Light” essay-competition launched as a global project to encourage girls to express what Shabbos candle-lighting means to them. Entries were compiled into a new book of the same title, the third of its kind. While Thalia’s submission was initially accidentally overlooked, when content for the book was being finalized almost two years later, her message was re-discovered, only days after her passing.
We can imagine that perhaps Thalia’s message was found exactly when it was meant to be. “I understood it was Thalia’s soul speaking to us and sending us words of strength in dark times,” reflected Nechama. “I feel blessed that I found it just when the world needed to hear her precious words.”
Her words have since become the lyrics to a powerful composition, produced as “Thalia’s Song”, with a melody composed by Rivkah Leah Popack and music arranged and sung by Sam Glaser.
The song is being shared for the first time today as an official global initiative to spread Thalia’s message. In a series of events by Hashgocha Pratis [Divine Providence], the initiative wasn’t ready to be launched until this year, a timing that could not be more perfect as it marks Thalia’s younger sister Maggie’s Bat Mitzvah. What a precious gift!
Video: Thalia’s Song
Alongside her handwritten submission, the One More Light book (Available on Amazon) includes a stunning tribute to Thalia and her soul, which continues to shine as “a guiding light for every innocent child who prays for a better world, for light and peace.” (Copyright ©️ 2017 by Jewish Girls Unite)
In commemoration of her yahrtzeit today, Sunday, Tevet 22, JGU encourages everyone to share her song (sung by Sam Glaser) through this video, so Thalia’s legacy of light may continue to illuminate on a global scale. May we usher in the ultimate light of Redemption speedily in our days, and may the soul of Sarah bas Yoav v’Mazal experience a tremendous elevation.
Share Thalia’s song, and email [email protected] to enter a raffle for a One More Light book and pendant.
Jewish Girls Unite is a global community for Jewish girls offering online programs for Bat Mitzvah and teens and Jewish Girls Leadership Retreats at the new Jewish Leadership Campus in East Greenbush NY.
For more info or to join the girls retreat Jan 23-26 or summer retreat in July, go to Jewishgirlsunite.com
In her zchus May Moshiach come immediately !!
May it be NOW
May her Neshamah have an Aliya and we should see Moshiach very soon.
This song was composed by Rivka Leah Popack.
Hashem! Bless her family with strength.
So very special! May her precious neshama be elevated!