BROOKLYN, NY — In the aftermath of Rabbi and Mrs. Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg’s murders last November, the grieving Jewish community was intent on learning everything they could about the lives of these two heroes. Those of their colleagues who knew them personally shared their memories with their fellow Chabad representatives in every corner of the globe.
Sister Talk – Shluchos Helping Shluchos
BROOKLYN, NY — In the aftermath of Rabbi and Mrs. Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg’s murders last November, the grieving Jewish community was intent on learning everything they could about the lives of these two heroes. Those of their colleagues who knew them personally shared their memories with their fellow Chabad representatives in every corner of the globe.
“For me, it was the virtual coffee and pastry that Rivka shared each day with her friend Chani that I found so touching,” muses Mrs. Aviva Deren. Chani Lifshitz, Chabad’s representative to Katmandu, reminisced about her friendship with Holtzberg in Lubavitch.com, and again at the banquet of the International Conference of Shluchos.
“Chani was clearly in so much pain, and yet she so generously shared of herself. I believe that the act of connecting with other women, her friends, helped her feel better,” states Deren.
Deren, who has been serving the Stamford community for 35 years, says that while “Rivka and Chani’s friendship is something to dream of, every shlucha [f. representative] must have a direct connection with other shluchos.” It is for this reason that Deren is assisting the Chabad-Lubavitch educational division with the inception of their latest program, promoting mentoring opportunities for Chabad women representatives.
Merkos Mentors for Women comes on the heels of the successful program for men, of the same name, launched in September of last year. The program for Chabad rabbis has made 75 mentoring relationships, says program director Rabbi Shalom Zirkind. Merkos Mentors for women will commence with 50 pairs, many of which were formed at the recent Shluchos Conference.
