Posted to Op-Ed on

Shula Swerdlove OBM, and Levi Wolowick OBM.

Dear fellow parents,

I write this letter with tears and a heavy heart, having just heard about the loss of yet another Shliach's child. I can not help myself from asking but one question: Aibershter why?

The pain, the suffering, and the devastating void that these selfless Shluchim are experiencing is something that, as a fellow mother, I can only pretend to fathom.

OP-ED: Drawing Strength from Tragedy

Shula Swerdlove OBM, and Levi Wolowick OBM.

Dear fellow parents,

I write this letter with tears and a heavy heart, having just heard about the loss of yet another Shliach’s child. I can not help myself from asking but one question: Aibershter why?

The pain, the suffering, and the devastating void that these selfless Shluchim are experiencing is something that, as a fellow mother, I can only pretend to fathom.

This past year has not been an easy one for the global Chabad family, especially as we approach the first Yortzheit of the Holtzbergs HYD, and I find myself pressed to find answers to my own questions, and more importantly, something to say to my children.

Yet the answers have eluded me just like it has to all those that have asked before me.

But my children gave me the answer I was looking for.

Two weeks ago, my ten year old son came home from school with an envelope for a Tanya learn-a-thon, and though at first I did not think of it much, when I saw it was in memory of Levi Yitzchok Wolowik (son of the Shluchim to the Five Towns) I immediately told my son I will pledge 50 cents for every line he learns.

And last week when my daughter came home telling me about Shula’s toys, in memory of Shula Swerdlov, I sat with her as we filled a box of toys to donate.

I had my response and my message to take to the world.

Here are Shluchim who were put through this most trying test, and they are occupied with the mission of what to do next and to make sure their child’s life will be a catalyst for good in this and other communities around the globe. How could I as a mother not encourage my children’s involvement in these great projects?

My children now know and see that although we do not have the answers to every question, we as Chassidim know how to respond by coming together with an outpouring of support, love and compassion.

And now, just as my strength wavers a little, my son is reminding me about the 10 dollars that I owe him for the 20 new lines of Tanya he just learned.

A mother,
Crown Heights

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24 Comments

  • Remember

    What about the Shluchim in Israel- Rabbi Yossi Ginsburg from Yeshivat Ramat Aviv and Mrs. Daniella Golan from Or Chaya who both tragically lost children in the past few years.

  • a mother

    beautifully written, you are 100% right we as chassdim were taught from the very begining, by the terror attack in Kfar Chabad that we have to build, the Wolowik’s and the Swerdlov’s strength in all of this is admirable, I will get my children involved.

  • looking back.

    Can’t stop crying, what a year it truly has been, Abershter we need moshiach NOW!!!

  • A mother

    What a inspiring letter.
    How can I involve my children in this Learn-a thon in Memory of Levi A’H?

  • Involved! what about you?

    wow! its awesome their are like 22 schools on board

    1. Ohr temimim, Jhds – Buffalo
    2. Cheder menachem N.J.
    3. Torah academy – South Africa
    4. Bais Chaya Mushka L.A
    5. Bais Chana L.a.
    5. Cheder Las Vegas
    6. lubavitch cheder day school – Minnisota
    7. Lubavitch Yeshivah
    8. Cheder Monsey – boys
    9. Cheder Lubavitch – Morristown Boys school
    10. Cheder Lubavitch – Morristown Girls School
    11. Oholei Torah
    13. Rambam school – Ottawa
    14. Yeshiavh Acadamy – Pittsburg
    15. Chabad Hebrew Academy – San Diego
    16. Menachm Mendel Seattle cheder days school
    17. Torah academy – Louisville.
    18. United Lubavitch Yeshivos
    19. Bais Rivkah – Montréal
    20. Bnos menachem
    21. Chabad Cheder – Lake Grove n.y.
    22. Hebrew Academy Margate

  • parent.

    My son can home with the envelope as well, yet I figured that it was just “another” program. After reading this I can now appreciate this type of program.

  • CH

    Is there any way that we as members on the CH and other communnities can be part of this?

    is there a toy drop off spot in CH?

  • good morn rabbi were r u ?2 yrs late ?

    a mother wrote:
    beautifully written, you are 100% right we as chassdim were taught from the very begining, by the terror attack in Kfar Chabad that we have to build, the Wolowik’s and the Swerdlov’s strength in all of this is admirable, I will get my children involved.
    AND BY THE ATACK IN CHEVRON 1929 , MAZAL-TOV 2 THE LITTEL BOY WHO WAS HIDDING UNDER THE BED THAT SHABOS MORN , WHEN HIS FATHER WAS MURDERD H”YD, HE JUST PUT ON A KAPPOTA, RABBI GOLDSHID MAY LIVE A LONG LIFE

  • Toy Drive - Drop off locations!

    Estee Capland
    970 Saint Johns Place
    Brooklyn, NY 11213
    1-347-276-7923

    Mimi Kopfstein
    529 Brooklyn Avenue, Apt. 3B
    Brooklyn, NY 11225
    1-917-861-3840

    Chayale Eckhaus
    Jewish Childrens Museum
    792 Eastern Parkway
    Brooklyn, NY 11213
    Drop off at ticket desk Mon- Thur 10 am- 4 pm

    Rachel L. Schwartz
    727 Eastern Parkway, apt. 1
    Brooklyn, NY 11213
    347-663-8363

    Chanel Lipskier
    1650 Carroll St.
    Brooklyn, NY 11213
    718-778-6712

    Esther Fass
    760 Montgomery St apt 1A
    Corner Albany & Troy

  • SO SAD

    Please show admiration and respect for the other shluchim who lost children. I am sure they would love to make projects like swerlov and wolowik if they had the funds or merkas to do it for them! i am sure the other shluchim are just as amazing and strong –
    PLEASE DO NOT FORGET ABOUT THE OTHE SHLUCHIMS PASSED KIDS WHILE STUDYING TANYA FOR LEVI’S LEARNATHON!

  • ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

    I STILL THINK THE REBBE SUMMED IT UP BEST. HE SAID HASHEM HAS NACHAS WHEN HE SEES THE ADDTIONAL MITZVOHS WE UNDERTAKE AS A RESPONSE TO TRAGEDIES. BUT THE REBBE QUESTIONED; “VIFILL AH SHIUR KLIEBEN NACHAS? AND THAT IS MY RESPONSE AS WELL.

  • how to

    is the learn a thon and torah for both kids?
    where do you drop off toys? who are the toys for?

  • curious

    To: Involved! what about you?

    just out of curiosity – Bais Rvka NY is not involved in the program?

  • gertie

    Shluchim shluchim shluchim! its all about them! why not regular people too?! You think regular people didnt also lose children?! Well they did.

  • bais rivkah?!

    my daughter is in bais rivkah – they didn’t launch the program there??? i am signing her up online but why is bais rivkah not included??