Shterna Federman, 4m, OBM

By COLlive reporter

Shterna Sara Federman, the 4-month-old daughter of the Chabad Shluchim in the Virgin Islands, tragically passed away from a drowning accident on Tuesday night, the eve of 6 Kislev 5783.

The parents, Rabbi Asher and Henya Federman (nee Shmotkin), were with some of their children near the ocean in S. Thomas when the baby slipped into the water.

The parents immediately jumped into the water, trying desperately to save their baby. The mother got stuck underwater and people nearby helped pull her out and worked for a long time to resuscitate her.

She is currently on life-support and has been transferred via special medical transport to Miami for urgent medical intervention on Wednesday.

The body of the baby was recovered sometime later, and has since been released to Chesed Shel Emes for burial.

The public is asked to increase in Torah, Tefillah and Tzedakah, in merit of Henya bas Brachah Devorah Leah for a full and speedy recovery. The family asked to dedicate activities of Hakhel and chizuk ha’hiskashrus to learn the Rebbe’s teachings in her merit. To dedicate a Mitzvah click here

UPDATE: Levaya of Shterna Sara Federman today, Thursday, at 4:00 pm at Montefiore Cemetery.

Our hearts are broken. We need to continue to pray that Henya bas Bracha Devora Leah will pull through and live long healthy years together with her children, who so need her.

We, their friends and admirers, must stand with the family during their darkest hour.

The expenses are enormous, and the least we can do is help alleviate the financial burden.
Numerous airlifts, chartered and commercial flights, and care for the bereaved children have already amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Much more expense is anticipated in the coming days, and each child will require personal care and attention in this unthinkable situation.

As the family focuses on Henya’s medical care and on Asher and the children’s needs, the least we can do is alleviate their financial concerns.

Please give generously. Click here to donate now.

All funds will be devoted specifically for the care of the family.

The fund is overseen by a group of Shluchim, classmates of Rabbi Federman, from around the world and administered by Lubavitch of Wisconsin.

Rabbi Menachem Gansburg
Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky
Rabbi Zalman Mendelsohn
Rabbi Moshe Pinson
Rabbi Motti Seligson
Rabbi Meir Shmotkin
Rabbi Yudi Steiner
Rabbi Schneur Wilhelm
Rabbi Chezky Wolff

Please give generously. Click here to donate now.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes: Shterna Sara bas Asher.