By COLlive reporter
Mrs. Rivky Berman, who grew up on Shlichus of the Rebbe and spent her life helping others despite medical challenges, passed away on Monday, Iyar 22 5776.
The daughter of Rabbi Yisroel and Vivi Deren, directors of Chabad of Stamford in Connecticut, Rivky was raised in a loving and caring environment with an emphasis on Ahavas Yisroel.
In 2012, she got married to Shmuly Berman in their hometown of Stamford in a joyous wedding attended by Shluchim and guests from around the world.
The couple moved on Shlichus to Raleigh to direct Chabad at North Carolina State University, offering an array of programs and classes for Jewish students. Rivky was known to put out a tasty spread.
She was a third generation Chabad Shlucha. Her maternal grandparents Rabbi Zalman and Risya Posner were sent by the Frierdiker Rebbe to Nashville, Tennessee in 1949.
Rivky was born with Blooms syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects a very small portion of the population and which is especially prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews.
Since early childhood, she had to battle the various manifestations of the syndrome, which include an autoimmune disorder and a propensity for cellular mutation in sufferers. Such disturbances have put Rivky in-and-out of hospitals for a big part of her life.
She has since worked to help others with serious health conditions through the organizations Friendship Circle, Chai Lifeline marathon and Kids of Courage.
A tumblr blog has documented Rivky’s life journey, sparked by “a deep curiosity to know more about a woman who seemed to have consciously transformed a life of suffering into a celebration of existence.”
She is survived by her husband, Rabbi Shmuly Berman, parents Rabbi Yisrael and Vivi Deren and in-laws Lynn and Harvey Berman – Stamford, CT, and siblings Rabbi Yossi Deren – Greenwich, CT, Rabbi Oshy Deren – Capetown, South Africa, Mrs. Chanie Backman – Boston, MA and Rabbi Chezkel Deren – Melbourne, Australia, as well as uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews and the family of Shluchim.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Shloimy, 6, and Rabbi Mendy Deren, 36; as well as her sister, Blumie, who passed away at the age of 16.
The levaya will arrive from North Carolina this evening Monday, May 30 and will pass the Stamford Chabad Center, 770 High Ridge Road, at approximately 8:30 PM for a brief outdoor service.
The Funeral will leave Shomrei Hadas Chapels, 3803 14th Avenue, Boro Park, Brooklyn, tomorrow (Tuesday) at 11:15 AM, passing the Rebbe’s Synagogue and Chabad HQ, 770 Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn, at 12:15 PM.
Internment will follow near the Rebbe’s resting place at Old Montefiore Cemetery, Springfield Blvd, Queens.
Shiva:
Shiva for Rivky ( Deren) Berman will be observed at the
Deren home 121 Little Hill Drive, Stamford, CT 06905
Today (Tuesday)7:00 pm through Monday morning
Davening Times
Tuesday: Mincha/ Maariv 8:00 pm
Wednesday – Thursday: Shacharit 8:00 am Mincha / Maariv 8:00 pm
Friday: Shacharit 8:00 am Mincha 2:00pm
Sunday: Shacharit 8:00 am Mincha Maariv 8:00 pm
Monday: Shacharit 8:00 am
Baruch dayan haemes.
VIDEO: Meeting Rivky
My deepest sympathy to the Deren and Berman families. I always enjoyed Rivky’s beautiful smile and positive energy every time we danced together at Yeshiva. May her courage, light, and beauty be a constant inspiration to all of us, and may her spirit shine on forever. Prayers and Love
My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family and to her wonderful husband, Shmuly. My heart goes out to all of you.
What a beautiful, pure, heshama. Very, very wise beyond her years. Thanks so much for sharing her legacy.
yinachem eschem b’soch she’ar avaylay tzion viyrushalayim.
Rabbi Moshe and Mindy Feller
BDE
I have had the privilege to meet, care for, and become friends with Rivka while working at Duke. I have never met anyone with as much hope, strength, will power, and zest for life than Rivka. She has taught me so much about living life to the fullest and being absolutely proud of who you are. It has been a true honor to meet her and her amazingly supportive family. My heart goes to you all. Rivka will forever be with us! -Jeana
Rabbi Deren is like 5th generation, she is about 6th generation shlucha
I Rivky no no no no pls tell me this isn’t true
Your such an inspiration to all
We love you and really miss you
Chazak Shmuley keep strong were all here for you
We love you buruch dayin emes
I love you keeka!
Just watching your videos you were the most amazing person. Baruch Dayan Haemes. Rest in peace yet clamor for Moshiach!
wow she is so special (im especially touched because thats my favorite quote too!)BD”H
sholom and chaya posner were shluchim in pittsburg
Rivkie was so special on so many ways,may hashem give lots of strenth to the incredible Deren family
המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
משפחת דובראווסקי
Oy vey such a good people!!
There can be no worse pain than for parents to bury a child and to read that Rabbi & Mrs Deren have experienced this tragedy before is beyond horrific. May Hashem help and guide them through a time like this.
I was privileged to become friends with Rivky at Duke Hospital where I was one of her dietitians. Her love of life was an inspiration to everyone who met her, and I am quite sure that she has done more good for the world in her 29 years than most people will accomplish in much longer lifetimes. Sending my most heartfelt wishes to her wonderful family, may your comfort come from Gd.
I remember when we were both counselors in kinus, and you had so much energy!!! You are an amazing person, Ive seen many of the videos about your life and you are a truly inspiring person!! Rabbi Shmuly, my heart goes out for you, loosing a beloved spouse is so hard! May Hashem comfort you!!
Baruch Dayan Ha’Emet,
I can’t stop looking at your beautiful radiating and glowing face, Rivkie,
I heard so much about you from your cousin Leah, and words escape me at this moment, where tears overcome me.
Yet there is so much to say, so much to learn, and remember and hold dear, from you and about you, and everything you stood for.
Sending so much love and strength to the Deren and Berman families, your husband, parents and siblings.
May we have the ultimate geula bimheira be’yameinu,
With love,
Dalya Erster,
Johannesburg
I’m crying for the special deren family.
This is such a loss. People like Rivky are far and few between, of any. She instills faith, hope, emu ah and true joy into all of us. We should be reunited VERY SOON WITH THE COMING OF MOSHIACH! ENOUGH WITH THIS GOLUS!
it is so hard to hear of your pain and suffering…. we are with you shouting “ad mosai”. may we all be comforted wtih you as we hear the besura of the ge’ula shelaima… now mamosh!!
A beautiful Neshama resting under the Kisei HaKavod
Hashem should give kochos beyond nature to her parents and siblings having to go through such a beyond human nissoyon of having to say goodbye for the fourth time!!
Hashem should comfort you and may you hug all of your kids beguf gashmi Mamesh now with the revelation of Moshiach now!!
I didn’t know her personally, but from that video it seems like she was a real Eshes Chayil, a wonderful person with a heart of gold. I am sure she is in gan eden now. May Hashem comfort her entire family.
I had the honor of meeting about six months ago at A Cannukkah celebration in Raleigh, and have had many conversations with her fantastic husband.
May the esteemed family find comfort among those who mourn Zion and Yerushalyim
May the Holy One, blesses be He send us Moshiach now!
May Hashem comfort you & klal yisroel & the family of shluchim! We send love & support
Hamakom yenachem etchem!
Hamakom yinacheim eschem b’such shar avelie tziyon v’yersushalayim.
as a classmate of her brother mendy, bde..the family should know only simchous
BDE.
Her great grandparents, Rabbi and Mrs. Sholom Posner, powerful shluchim… never forgotten. Rivky inherited their strength and spirit. May she be the final “gutteh behter” to convince the Aibishter to bring Moshiach immediately.
may hashem console rabbi and mrs deren, enough suffering!!!!!!!! moshaich right now!
Her devastated family must be the most special people. My heart goes out to her husband, parents, siblings and what I’m sure are her many, many friends and admirers.
hamokem yenaschem eschem b’soch shaar avelei zion v’Yerushayim.
Rivky is an amazing person and as she said in thee video it is not the end when it is bad but when good will come. Mashiach Now! This is too much! 🙁
What an honor to have known you… You were always filled with spirit and life… Rest well and your memory will live on in all the people you touched! You will always be a special soul and loved forever!
Love,
Avrum and Chaya Levy
Wow!!…BDE, may her neshama have an Aliya!…she sounds like she was such a special and amazing person!!…so sad…may her family have Nechama and strength to get through this.
Rivky, we miss you!
An amazing girl, an amazing soul, IYH Moschaich now and may we all be reunited. Bless the true judge.
I never actually met you, but have heard so much about you from one of your adoring aunts. I have seen you once or twice at the Kinnus HaShluchos, and you were always surrounded by your cousins and friends. Always making everyone laugh, the life of the party. I was too shy to go up and introduce myself. Yet now, when I heard the news, I find myself crying as if you were a close friend. Through my tears I am aware that you would disapprove. You knew how to be happy in any situation, and would not have wanted… Read more »
Love you so much! What you accomplished, it’s not the end, because it’s not Ok….FINISH THE JOB UP THERE S ND US moshiach now!!! BDE
Now we have to work even harder to bring Moshiach!
Boruch Dayan Hoemes Such horrible news, why HASHEM why? This family suffered enough, enough for the rest of Klal Yisroel; Send Moshiach we are all so squeezed with pain and Problems. Please HASHEM bring us the Yeshua now!
We love you shmuly!!
As mosai! Rivky was the most amazing person and a real shlucha of the rebbe
Her great grandparents were the first Shluchim to Pittsburgh. BDE!! I it hearts embrace her family with love.
What a POWERHOUSE!!!! They really don’t come any better!!!
What incredible life lessons! Wow!Wow!Wow!!
BD’E this news is especially shocking and sad. Shmuly your a hero and all your ole motown buddies are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers.
BDE we send our heartfelt condolences to the whole family. Ha makom yenachem eschem betoch shaar avlei Zion veYerushayim.
I remember you from high school, even though I am a good few years younger. Always laughing. Always with a smile. Always with a funny, good word to share. A real role model for us all.
Hashem we need Moshiach now!!
These pictures and video are just perfect to show us the beauty and joy and strength of this special woman!! Yes, we are all crying everywhere and right here in Piittsburgh– where we had the zchus to really understand what an extraordinary person she was. BDE – Moshiach please come!
What a warrior and fighter. We gonna miss you!! Sending love and strength to the entire family.
Don’t know how to say thank you for all the life lessons you taught me!!! You are an incredible person inside and out! You are forever in my heart!!! Love you!!!
BDE
Such sad news. the family of Chasidim and Shluchim are in mourning.
But like Rivky always said “In the end it will be good, and if It’s not good, It’s not the end”.