Chaya Mushka Gottlieb, a”h
Chaya Gottlieb was born on the 2nd night of Chanukah 5745. From a very young
age she was recognized as an exceptional child, cute and intelligent, with
exemplary middos. Chaya’s specialty shone in school as well, where her
teachers and her peers appreciated her as a diligent and successful student,
both in her studies and Avodas Hashem.
One month shy of her
16th birthday, she was diagnosed with cancer. Needless to say, everyone was
shocked. But Chaya would not let this disease stop her in any way. After her
initial surgery and treatment, she went back to school and continued to excel
in her studies – and other than the telltale sign of wearing a shaitel, one would never know she was fighting a life threatening
illness. Indeed, she graduated with honors and even went on to spend a year in
seminary.
With a most optimistic
attitude Chaya went on to work, and despite having to deal with non-stop
treatment, she always sought to be productive. She taught Talmud Torah, High
School, and the Shluchim On-Line School; and when her
illness prevented her from keeping up with the demands of teaching, she did
graphic design for schools from her home computer. When her friends proceeded
to get married, she wholeheartedly rejoiced in their simcha and did everything in
her power to attend all of their L’Chaims and weddings.
Torah, Mitzvos and Chassidishe values
were very dear to Chaya. She made sure to say Chitas every day and was
especially careful about Tznius. Even at the most difficult stages of her illness, she remained
conscientious of every Mitzvah and would try to fulfill them b’hiddur.
Until her very last
days, Chaya maintained an extremely positive attitude and always held faith for
a yeshuah. However, Hashem had other
plans. On 11 Sivan, 5769, at the young age of 24 (8½ years after her initial
diagnosis) she returned her pure neshama to its Creator.
May we be zoche to be reunited
with Chaya (and all our loved ones) with the coming of Moshiach
Now!!
Mrs. Lillian Novik, a”h
“I made it.” My mother would whisper those words with
satisfaction every time she made it home. No small feat for a tiny woman living
alone, approaching 93. (Ninety-three, and every one of
those years she lived in America.)
With that comment, she would put a few coins in the pushka. I remember from the
time I was little that she always had a pushka she would “patronize.” When I
got married some 34 years ago, she was so grateful that from then on, she only
wanted to give to a pushka that helped brides and grooms. She was so happy when
I brought home a pushka for Keren Simchas
Chosson V’Kallah!! So every
day she would put coins in the pushka before she left her home, and when she
returned, she did the same, thanking Hashem that
another day had gone by and “she made it.”
We never had much. My
father had to retire early and suddenly because of a heart condition. By that
time, all four of us children had already established ourselves, so my parents
rented a tiny walk-in apartment in Flatbush. Jewish causes were their passion,
and they instilled that in us, as well. Although we offered to have Mom live
with us after our father was niftar, she declined.
Fiercely independent,
Mom was known for being a good housewife; for her sharp mind; for her
incredible sense of humor; for her passion for anything Jewish, especially
modesty and kashrut; and for fighting for the
underdog. She did all her own housework, never needed a cane, traveled on
buses, and when the subway was too much (at age 83), went by Access-A-Ride to
her various activities. She never wasted a moment.
She leaves children,
grandchildren and great-grand- children who follow the great example she set.
May her memory be a blessing.
Shmuel Leib Strauss, a”h
Shmuel Leib Strauss came into this world on March 3,
1943. He was the youngest of two, having a sister five years his senior, He
grew up in the Bronx, living in the
Amalgamated Housing.
We married when he was
21 and had three sons, as well as foster twins that were partially raised in
our home. After marrying, we lived in Bixby Knolls, a section of Long Beach, California.
At that time we were first introduced to Chabad,
since theirs was the only kosher shul in that
neighborhood.
Over many years, Shmuel Leib’s attachment to Yiddishkeit and the Rebbe grew.
In 1984 we relocated to Seattle,
Washington, where he had the
honor of hosting a shul in his own home. In the
beginning, the shul was called N.E.L.M. (North End Lubavitch Minyan), but over time
it evolved into Shaare Tehillah
Lubavitch. Once the shul
moved out of our home to larger quarters, Shmuel Leib continued affiliating there as an active member and
helper.
Keren Simchas
Chosson V’Kallah became
near and dear to him when we moved back to New York
and purchased a home in Crown
Heights. Over the years,
many – including KSCVK – called upon this good-natured man for the many favors
he always did with a whole heart.
Shmuel Leib’s
sense of humor was tremendous. Nothing gave him greater joy then a good
schmooze! He had an irresistible, infectious smile. But his outstanding quality
was the way he was always willing to lend a helping hand. It didn’t matter if
you were short a few dollars: if he had it, he would gladly reach into his
pocket and give you a “loan”. If you just needed a hand to move a piece of furniture,
or fix your car, Shmuel Leib
was there.
He had many talents,
all of which he put to use helping others. Very importantly, his friendly
nature attracted many troubled kids to him. Our home was often filled with boys
looking for a Tatty or Zaidy figure they could talk
to. His great love for children was always in evidence. Another hallmark of Shmuel Leib’s personality was his
honesty. He always paid his bills, never G-d forbid letting someone he owed
wait even one extra minute.
During the last few years
of Shmuel Leib’s short
life, our son and many friends helped establish another shul
in our home, a Shabbos/Yom Tov
minyan which continues today. It was lovingly named
N.E.L.M., which was fitting because we also lived in the north end of Crown Heights.
Since his passing, however, the name has been changed. It is now called Beis Shmuel Leib.
Shmuel Leib
lived his life treating everyone the way he wished to be treated by them. He
was truly one of a kind and is sorely missed by us all.
