Hebrew Academy Honors Lost Friend, Companion

San Diego, CA — Nearly a year after tragically losing his wife of 47 years, Dan Ashel has found a unique way to honor the woman whom he told he loved “20 times a day.”

Ashel dedicated a specially designed holy ark and a miniature Torah on Sunday at the Chabad Hebrew Academy in Scripps Ranch. He said the Torah was written by a scribe from Israel in honor of his wife, Sophia. Ý

“After she died, I thought I need to do something gorgeous for the gorgeous person she was,” he said.

The couple were on vacation in Cancun, Mexico, last year when Ashel’s life changed forever. The couple and friends were in a van that skidded out of control after being hit from behind by a large truck. Ashel was the only member of the group who survived.

Shortly after her death, Ashel paid for a scribe from Israel to write the text of the miniature Torah in her honor. At the dedication, he said the final 500 letters were added symbolically in the names of people who wanted to honor his wife’s life.

Ashel said the dedication also fell on a significant point in the Jewish tradition, which is the 11th month after a loved one’s death. As part of tradition, the 11th month marks the end of the mourning period and marks the celebration of that person’s life.

“It should mean that I should stop mourning her, and look for another life myself,” he said.

It isn’t easy to move on, he said, especially since “my love for her just grows bigger and bigger each day.”

Ashel said he believes the memorial ark and the miniature Torah are a fitting tribute to his wife. Above the simple yet beautifully crafted ark are the words, “In Memory of Sophia Ashel Beloved.”

“I want everyone to see my wife for her beauty and her kindness,” he said.

Rabbi Yonah Fradkin of the Chabad Hebrew Academy said the school didn’t have an ark, which is the container for the Torah, so the memorial is extremely important to the school.

“Until now, there wasn’t a permanent home,” he said, adding that changed when “Mr. Ashel felt he wanted to turn his tragedy into a blessing for the community.”

He also said the miniature Torah is small enough for the Academy’s young men to carry, which “helps them realize that the Torah is meant for them just as much as for the strong.”

According to Ashel’s daughter,Aviva Saad, the occasion was important for the family.

“The house of the Torah has the name of my mother,” she said. “There is no better memorial than this.”

Ashel’s grandson, Yosi Saad, agreed.

“We felt we needed a way to turn our tragedy into a blessing,” he said, adding, “it’s great to see so many people showing their respect.”