Photos by Maayan Lepon
Over 150 women from across Jerusalem gathered at Chabad of Baka’s event hall to mark Rachel Imenu’s yahrzeit on motzei Shabbos, November 5th. Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation and the Haies family sponsored and organized the event liluy nishmat the foundation’s founder, Chaya bat Shaul and Miriam Haies z’l.
Participants were treated to a generous dairy buffet, including sushi and salads. Yehoshua Haies spoke about the incredible work of his wife Evelyn z’l, who formed Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation in 1995 to save Rachel’s Tomb from Oslo.
With great self-sacrifice, she invested herself as one of the main purchasers of a property adjacent to Kever Rachel, within the walled complex of Rachel’s Tomb. Even though there was major risk involved in the sale, as an Arab was selling his third of the property that he shared with his brothers, Evelyn put forth her savings to benefit the Jewish people. Her precarious purchase, as well as her relentless petitioning in Israel and the US, helped Kever Rachel to be included in the official Jerusalem boundary, as there was now a Jewish-owned property there.
Evelyn used the space for lectures, women’s learning, and smachot, such as bat mitzvahs. Until today, women’s shiurim are given at the site. She also lobbied for more frequent buses to Kever Rachel to make it more accessible to the masses.
Evelyn won a raffle of $26,000 in 1998 and generously used her prize to purchase a Sefer Torah for Kever Rachel. Even though this was between the first and second intifadas, when few people were visiting Kever Rachel, about 4,000 people gathered at Rachel’s Tomb to celebrate this historic Hachnasat Sefer Torah.
Evelyn is also known for her beautiful poetry and the famous song that she wrote, “We are Rachel’s Children.”
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During the last year of her life, Evelyn made Aliyah together with her husband, and they became involved members at Chabad of Baka, Jerusalem, a warm English-speaking community which welcomes immigrants from around the world. On Shavuos of 2022, Evelyn returned her holy soul to its Maker, leaving an incredible legacy and a mission that continues.
At the Melave Malka, Chabad of Baka shlucha Nechama Dina Hendel shared a few words about Mame Rachel’s legacy, followed by the keynote speaker, Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen, world acclaimed orator and marriage therapist. He connected the secret of successful relationships with the formula for a fulfilling relationship with Hashem. The crowd was mesmerized and entertained, as Rabbi Kelemen shared deep insights and humorous anecdotes.
The evening ended on a euphoric high, with a live concert by Miriam Israeli, popular singer and songwriter. Women were excited to discover that Miriam Israeli is the one who wrote some of the most viral songs, including “Ivri Anochi” and “Ima Tagidi Li!”
As women and girls put their arms around each other and swayed to “Ani Maamin,” the incredible energy of Mame Rachel was palpable, as well as the spirit of a contemporary heroine who dedicated her life to Rachel Imenu, Evelyn Haies z’l.
Video of the Melave Malka:
What a beautiful event and tribute to her!
Great woman!