Posted to Notices on

Boruch Dayan Ha’emes: Aliza Schwab, 8, OBM

It is with great sadness and deep pain that we inform you of the tragic and untimely passing of young Ruchama Aliza Sara Chana Schwab of Miami, Florida at the age of 8. Four years ago we reported about Aliza’s tragic drowning in their family swimming pool, and her parents fight to keep her on life support. Yesterday she succumbed to an infection.

From the local WSVN News:

A family is sharing their strength and sorrow after their 8-year-old daughter passed away Thursday.

We first met Aliza Schwab in September 2007. The month prior, the 4-year-old girl had nearly drowned in her family’s pool.

Aliza was rushed to the hospital and doctors gave her little chance of surviving.

Aliza was kept alive with the help of machines, and her devout Jewish family made an emotional plea to the media that as long as her heart is beating, they should be allowed to take her home. “I have no words to describe it. It’s just happiness, you know,” said Esther Schwab on October 2008.

For the next four and a half years, Aliza lived in a makeshift hospital room in her North Miami Beach home, hooked up to machines.

Her parents, with the help of nurses, worked with Aliza everyday. Thursday morning, Aliza passed away at her home peacefully at the age of 8.

Her mother says the last four and a half years were some of the happiest moments of her life. “I wouldn’t change anything for the world. The extra four and a half years I got with her, there aren’t enough words to describe it,” said Schwab. “There were many miracles over the four and a half years, and she had her ups and downs, but every second of every day was a treasure.”

An infection in the brain that spread would take Aliza’s life. Over the years, Aliza’s name became well known in Jewish circles.

Facebook pages and websites were dedicated to her, with thousands praying for the little girl.

Her mother says this is a day when they pay tribute to a fighter. “I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. She will be missed, but she’s in a better place now, and she’s looking down on us, and she’s resting peacefully, and she went in the right time,” Schwab said.

Aliza was buried at 3 p.m. The family will keep Aliza’s spirit alive by inspiring others who are going through difficult times. “[Life] is very precious, and we shouldn’t take it for granted and just enjoy and appreciate everything you have of every minute of every day,” said Schwab.

Related Articles:
Family fights to Keep their 4 Year Olds Life
From the Inbox: Thank You Letter from Parents

Related Articles

10 Comments

  • Stefanie

    BDE. However, the story’s lede incorrectly states that Aliza drowned four years ago. Drowning = dying. She nearly drowned four years ago.

  • Withheld

    I was shocked and broken-hearted to hear the sad news. Boruch Dayan Haemes. Since that tragic day of the accident I became part of a group to say a certain kapital of Tehillim on behalf of Aliza. I have been saying it daily for over four years and now will continue to do so and ask that her precious neshama should have an Aliyah. May the Aibishter give her parents and family the strength to overcome this difficult time and may they be united with her bkorev mamash with the coming of Moshiach.

  • Our tthoughts are with you

    Boruch Dayan Haemes. May this beautiful little girl who was in our prayers and hearts be a “guteh better” and ask Hashem to bring Moshiach immediately. May the Schwabs be comforted among the mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim, and find strength to deal with their tragic loss.

  • TS

    BDE. Rest in peace, sweet pure neshama.
    She fought as best as should could, the Abishter chose the time.
    These parents did everything possible for her, it is amazing how much they did. If you don’t know, you should. The parents gave more to this than anything I’ve ever heard of. incredible.
    they should have simchas, and Moshiach should come NOW.

  • B DE

    This is a total shock! I was shocked when I saw this article scrolling down! I remember the story, and I didn’t not expect this! This is really sad

  • EL Reb

    any way of finding their address? I too recently lost my baby to a Better Place an will B”H be traveling to the greater Miami region. Wanted to pay a shiva call…