By COLlive reporter
Reeling from the horrific news of the untimely and sudden passing of Georgia Shlucha Rashi Minkowicz obm, the Jewish community in North Fulton gathered on Wednesday night to give each other strength.
The suburban community of Atlanta which she served since 1998 has received the news of the passing in utter shock, having been personally influenced by Mrs. Minkowicz, who took an active role in leading Chabad activities such as Hebrew School, summer camp, a Mikvah and holiday programs.
250 community members were joined by Chabad Shluchim from throughout the state, rabbis and a cross section of the Jewish community of greater Atlanta in a gathering to strengthen each other in this time of tragedy.
The event was held at the request of her husband, Shliach Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz, who was in New York for the funeral. He requested that the event not be a memorial but a gathering of chizuk – community support during this difficult time.
Opening the event was Rabbi Yossi New, Head Shliach of Georgia, who emotionally said that “asking ‘why?’ is an exercise in futility. What the Torah teaches us, is to ask ‘how,'” he said. “How do I reach out to the Minkowicz family and offer solace, strength and support?”
Another speaker was Jocelyn Schorvitz, who spoke through her tears about her close friendship with Rashi Minkowicz, with whom she and her family spent birthdays, simchas and holidays, and who gave her “strength, direction, focus and guidance.”
Schorvitz pointed out that while Rabbi Minkowicz is a great leader, “Rashi is the backbone of this community.”
She asked for the community’s help in continuing Rashi Minkowicz’s work. “Don’t let the hard work Rashi has worked for, crumble,” she said. “Let’s all pledge to put in our time, real time, to keep the community blooming to honor Rashi’s memory. Let her children see and be proud of what she accomplished.”
That sentiment of continuing Rashi Minkowicz’s work was echoed in an email her 14-year-old son sent to COLlive on Thursday evening, in which he had a personal request for the community.
“In honor of my mother, I want to ask all of you to help my father with the campaign for our new Shul,” wrote Mendel Minkowicz. “My mother would be very happy if she saw this. Please help, and it will be in my mother’s honor.”
As a young Shliach, Mendel said while he cleared his public message with his father, “I want this to be a surprise so he will be so happy.”
Chabad of North Fulton has already begun their capital campaign to build on a property that has been purchased. The Mikvah has been built, and they have been raising money to build an adjacent center.
The building will be built to house the ongoing Chabad activities, with a large multi-purpose room which will be used as a Synagogue, assembly room and social hall. There will also be a teen lounge, two kitchens (meat and dairy), classroom wing (for the camp, Sunday school, preschool), and outdoor play area.
To help with the building campaign and honor Rashi Minkowicz’s memory by helping to build a permanent structure to ensure the continuation of her work, visit Chabad NF’s Building Campaign site. Or, visit ChabadNF.org.
RELATED ARTICLES:
+ Rashi’s Letter to her Siblings
+ Shlucha Son’s Special Request
+ Heartbroken Farewell to Shlucha
+ Upon the Passing of Your Mother…
+ Rashi Minkowicz, 37, OBM
I’m sure your mother is so proud of you and is so so happy and is shepping alot of nachas from you and your siblings.
Lots of Love
Thank you for reaching out for my pledge.
When should it be paid?
Can it be over two years?
The amount is $250,000
J
I want you too know we to in our family share in your pain, my second grade class said psukim with a lot of kavana for your mother’s merit, to hasten moshiach s coming may hashem v hear all our prayers,I lit candle early this week Learnt several shiurim more than I usually do and took small steps throughout my usual daily routine, it’s in my mind all the time , may you continue in supporting you r father and doing your shlichus your giving your mother tremendous nachas
I don’t know you Mendel but you are an absolute wonderful angel. I’m sorry that this has happend. I’m looking at the picture of you all. May your mothers neshoma be on high, you are helping your family so so much.
A mother
may your family be consoled
So proud of you Mendel. My prayer for you and your family is that the memories you shared will bring you comfort in the days and weeks ahead.
Thank you Mendel for giving us all the opportunity to do this Mitzvah in your Mother’s memory.
I am happy to help, in my little way!!!
Just made a donation
how special.. glad to be a part in such a great project.
7704109000 speak to Anita
If it doesn’t work call the Chabad house at 7704109000 and speak to Anita she is the secretary she will help
I tried to make a donation several times but doesn’t go through…. says my billbilling address is incorrect but it’s not. Is there a way to fix that ?
If everyone reading these heartfelt words on COL website were to donate a few dollars (start with $18.00), they would be well on their way.
oy meh haya lanu!!!!
How much is the total amount needed?
Keep up the great work!
i went on mivtzoim today and was handing out shabbos candles. one lady didnt want to take it from me. I told her that i have a friend who passed away at 37 very suddenly and that lighting the candles would be a favor for her as this is something she wanted.
I never met Rashi in my life, but a fellow shlucha is a friend and as a shlucha i can only imagine that her life was focused on one more yid doing a mitzvah. May this be just one more zechus for her.
This will happen we need to spread the word to evreyone
i willl iyH make a donation and try to fulfill this special boys request.
Moshiach Now. Ad mosai. Ad mosai. Ad mosai.
We are all on this together and ready to do even more.
We will be Matzliach.
Is Pain an emotion, energy or a feeling? which eventually our memory like everything else just learns to adjust while also forget or dilute to the point that it does not effect us in a negative way. Our vision, hearing, touching and smelling help us move forward in a very effective way, our journey in life is very short and long at the same time, from one side what provides the body with life is the soul which comes down on a mission yearning to return to it’s source where it belongs on the other side once down in this… Read more »
from your bunk kuf gimmel 5773 keep up the hard work and your mother is in our prayers!!!
Reu gedulim shegidalta..
look at what amazing children they have raised..
in his most difficult moment of life, when any child can be bitter and focused soley on their own misery, he is thinking of bringing joy to his father and nachas ruach to his mother as well as the success of chabad..! And at only 14.y.o… I am speecheless, in awe
Hashem, look at this…!!!! PLEASE BRING MOSHIACH NOW!!
ad mosay???????????
If we all give what we can, we can make his wish come true…
so nice of him crying