Kinnus held in Yerushalayim in memory of Chani Kolodny OB”M
A special Kinus was held in Yerushalayim on 13th of Tishrei, Leilui Nishmat Chana Bat Yosef, in memory of Chani Kolodny. More than 120 girls who were Chanie’s friends and fellow students, from seminaries across Israel traveled to attend the gathering which was hosted by her seminary, Machon Morasha in the Gutnik hall, next door to the seminary. The gathering was convened by Mrs Chanie Sudry, who invited Chanie’s teachers and friends to express their thoughts and feelings and share their last memories of a dear student and a special friend.
Among her teachers who spoke were Rabbi Baruch Kaplan, Rabbi Tuvia Kaplan, Rabbi Meir Tsarfati, Rabbi Meir Levinger and Mrs Tova Starik. The principals of Machon Morasha, Rabbi Yisroel and Chani Sudry as well as Chani’s madrichot Shira Kaplan and Michal Stern participated in the group Tehllim and Mishnah which was said together Leilui Nishmah. Mrs Teichtal, Chani’s principal at Beis Rivkah in Crown Heights also shared a few words with the girls by phone from America. She described Chani’s admirable qualities and spoke of the many things that can be learnt through her example.
The previous day’s Hayom Yom (Yud Bet Tishrei) was read out, what many people really felt and believed captured one of Chani’s truly special and outstanding qualities. The day’s Hayom Yom spoke about the power of man’s efforts and energies when invested into his Avoda in this world. It explained that no matter how much of oneself an individual will invest into their Avodat Hashem, their efforts will never be fruitless, one will never return empty-handed. One of the things that truly stood out about Chanie was the intensity and effort which she invested into everything she did; be it her Tefilah, Talmud Torah or Ahavat Yisrael. Everything she did was with the wholeness of her heart and a sincerity and Kavanah which was truly outstanding.
It is explained that during the seven days of Shiva the soul gradually departs from this world and ascends to higher levels. Because of Sukkot the Shiva for Chani only lasted one and a half days. One of Chani’s teachers explained that that one can learn the holiness and purity of a Neshama which does not require the usual seven days in order to reach the great heights of the spiritual worlds.
All the girls present took upon themselves an extra Perek of Tehllim so that the entire Tehillim will be said daily Leilui Nishmah. A hachlata to make a greater effort and have stronger Kavanah in Tefilah was also taken upon by the girls. Chana’s name stands for the three special Mitzvot of women: Challah, Nidah and Hadlakat Neirot. The girls decided the take upon themselves the Hachlata to observe these Mitzvot with an extra effort and with Hidur Mitzvah, as Chani did. To take extra care when one washes and bentches for Bread, to make an extra effort in areas of Tsniut and to light the candles for Shabbat with extra Kavanah and being careful to light them on time.
With the wish that we will merit the Geulah Shleima Bimherei Biyameinu and be reunited with dear Chani once more.
chaya
chanie seemed like a sweet girl so sad that she had to leave us ficicaly but spirtually shes here iin our hearts
we will neva for get you chanie.
RP
It would be a good idea to give a copy fo this article to the parents of Chani
Montreal Seminare
I wish I was able to join. I hope there will be a gathering in NY so more people that knew her can come. Chanie is in my prayers all the time. I will never forget her smile, her laughter, her sense of humor, how fast it spread thru the class, or wherever we were. She made an impact on my life, taught me a lot of things…And, I’ll miss her so much.
I can write a lot about her…but three words can just express the feelings.
I love you.
Chanie…I’ll always remember you.