B”H

A collection of memories and reflections of Esther Aidel (Rubin) Cohen z” l

by family & friends and her own

childhood journal entries

RememberingEsty

1. Our Teacher’s Last DayNovember 7th 1989

Today our teacher Mrs. Yates has her last day here. We made her a goodbye party at lunchtime. We hadapple juice and Mt. Pleasant cake. She got many gifts and cards from other teachers and classes. Ourclass, 6th and 7th graders, gave her the “heimishe cookbook” since she likes to cook and make all kindsof pastries and salads.

We also had a party for Mrs. Yates during English. We gotready for the party in a quiet and secretive way. Duringrecess Ariela and I got permission to go to the bathroom.We really didn’t need to go to the bathroom, but we used itas an excuse to get away from Mrs. Yates to get ready forthe party. We got the food from the kitchen and brought itup quietly, to our classroom. We put down plates, napkinson everyone’s desk and opened up the goodies. Then wewent back outside for recess as if nothing happened. Whenit was time to go back to the classroom we ran to our seats and sang “Happy Birthday.” Today wasn’treally her birthday, but we sang it anyways, because it was Yoni Moscowitz’s birthday. We passedaround the nosh while we gave our good-bye cards to Mrs. Yates. She also had something to give us. Itwas a nice dictionary, a pocket-sized one. Now I will have my very own dictionary to carry around. Theparty was fun and then we said goodbye to Mrs. Yates.

Now here is a poem that I wrote in my card to Mrs. Yates:

Mrs. Yates you are really niceYou cook up things that really have flavor and lots of spiceYou really originate all that you createFrom drawings to sketches, and pastels to paintsAnd you never even make mistakes!Mrs. Yates our teacher, have many different features.

13. Yossi’s Bar-MitzvahTeves 19-21 5752 / Thurs-Shabbos Dec 26-28

Dear Diary,

I’m so excited! I’m leaving school early so that I can come to Albany for Shabbos for the Bar-Mitzvah ofmy brother Yossy (or Yossely as we call him).

I came to my aunt’s Fruma’s house at a quarter to three. Her son Eliezer, about age 9, was coming, too.Soon our ride came. The driver was Avram Backman (Tatty’s cousin). By the way, sorry for the colorchange, my pen just ran out. We passed pretty scenery. And I did enjoy the outdoors from my window(although I took a nap in the middle since I was really tired).

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We arrived in Albany, 3 hours later. It felt goodto be at home again. The first thing I did whenI came home was to see my cutest baby sisterChaya Mushka and lift her up to ceiling to seeher delightful smile (with her one and onlytooth) or maybe get a chance to hear her laugh.After we had unpacked, we had to get“rolling”. By this I mean that we had to roll upour sleeves and get to work, to touch up on thelast-minute things for the Bar-Mitzvah. Mymother had been quite busy this past week forwe weren’t having it catered, therefore mymother had prepared all the food with somehelp from the Albany ladies. Although it didseem as if it were catered, since it tasted deli-cious and turned out to be a grand success.

It was already Friday, the morning passed by quickly. And soon, many cousins were arriving .At about 2pm, I went to deliver flowers, along with a card, a Challah roll, and of course, a smile to the Jewishpatients at Albany Med. It felt good inside, to see that even some of the patients were appreciative (although somecouldn’t show it) and it was good even to see the encouraging smile of the nurses. I couldn’t help it but feel proudthat I could give them a taste of Shabbos/Yiddishkeit.

By the time I came back all the cousins were here… and it was almost Shabbos.

As I waved my hands 3 times around the Shabbos candles, I felt calm, peaceful, and full of warmth. No words candescribe the wonderful feeling a girl / woman has, as she brings in Shabbos with the waving of her hands, and hersoft and gentle Bracha. Just the experience says it all.

It was the time to realize the special and holiness of Shabbos. I looked beside me. Here was my favorite cousin:Nechama Dina Piekarski, only a year younger than me. And there was another cousin Sossy Zaklos, just two yearsolder than me.

How fortunate am I to have such a big family, ka”h, with so many cousins and close friends. These are the specialpeople with whom we share our happy memories and even the sad ones. How fortunate am I! …I thought to myself.

A little while after we davened Maariv the men/boys came from shuls, just in time to make Kiddush. This FridayNight we had all the cousins, family, friends, and more to celebrate our Simcha.

Shabbos morning we all came to shuls. I sat in front with Mommy and Bubby to hear Yossely lain the Parsha andHaftorah. He did an excellent job, to say the least. We certainly were all proud of him. After davening there was asit-down Kiddush. It was very nice! We had a BIG crowd, including Yossy’s friends and classmates.

Shabbos afternoon Nechama Dina and I decided to take a walk. Believe it or not, we went in search of houses withaddresses that had the number one in the address. It turned out to be fun! Then we walked to New Scotland Ave. Butwhen got cold, we decided to go back.

Shabbos was over… The Melava Malka celebration for Yossy was about to begin. It was to be in Troy, in themagnificent shul, in the one with the balconies. The speeches (including Yossy’s one) were in the upstairs shul.Then we went downstairs in the dining area to have the delicious meal and to hear the violinist YehudisSchreiber and also to hear the chazzan’s niggun.

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It certainly was beautiful done…Thank you for listening dearest diary, love always, Esty Rubin

14. SHABBATON 92Friday, Jan. 10, 1992 5 Shvat, 5752

Today we’re (the 9th grade) going on our Shabbaton of ‘92 !!! To New City, NY. We met atMontgomery and Kingston at quarter to 7, and till we picked all the luggage in, we left at 8 a.m.It was a blast! Four seminary girls were our chaperones: Shterny Schwei, Chana Sara Lowenthal, Suri,& Nechama Schaeffer (our B’nos Chabad leader!)

There was a chartered bus plus a van. I went on the chartered bus. I sat with Chany Metal.The ride took us about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. First, we went to Nanuet Mall!

I browsed around with Chany Metal. We walked into a mickey-mouse store. There were cups,T-shirts,sweatshirts, toys, baby bibs, coloring books, pens, pencils, stationary, & more, with mickey mouse oranother cartoon figure on it. Chany Metal took a picture by the big stuffed mickey mouse. She bought amickey-mouse glass, I bought pink pencils for my little sisters...

Then we went to a nursing home: socialized with them and then sang to them. It was nice.Afterwards, we traveled to West -Point.(no, Mommy, I didn’t get a chance to see Edith Luchins there..)We went to the West Point Visitors Center. It was really quite interesting. We saw a video about thecadets, who train & study there. West Point is actually the place of the U.S. Military Academy! Ibought 2 colorful postcards there, which I hope to send to my family/friends..

Fri. nite: Shabbos, Jan. 11,’92The Chabad House which is newly-built, was simply beautiful! The carpeting was purple, there wereskylights galore; it was quite an impressive sight! We davened with the minyan for Mincha/Maariv, andthen we were entertained by lady “rabbi”: Miss Rus Dvora Shatkin! She made kiddush for us. We ateand sang. Rachely O’hana (a class-mate of ours) gave a lovely dvar Torah.

Then we had a break. Soon, Rabbi Kotlarsky (the main shliach: the other is Rabbi Katz) spoke to usabout the Frierdiker Rebbe, since Yud Shevat was coming up, and his mesirus nefesh, and also spokeabout shlichus. Afterward, we had a blast! We all made the domino effect, played duck-duck-goose,leap-frog, plus more.

Shabbos by day, we woke up late... As I was cleaning out my contact lenses, in the bathroom, it slippedaway.... and I lost it... We all took off shoes and began to feel the floors and walls. But it was nowhereto be found. So I wore my glasses....

We davened Shacharis, heard kiddush and ate lunch. In the afternoon, we took walks (took advantageof the colorful outdoor scenery) sang together and took naps. Then our “fear-less” counselors/chaperones gave us funny entertainment:..

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Shprintzale-Chana SaraBubby- Chaya Rochel Lipsker (a classmate, who is a greatactor and full of humor)Rabbi- Rus Dvora

We heard Havdala at the Kotlarskys.Soon, we went to grand Slam! We rented a basket ball courtwhere we played 2 games of Machanayim. We also had 10tokens to spend on games and video machines. You could alsoplay in the batting cages. Some girls used their tokens for BigChoice: machine with bunch of stuffed animals and toys, andsometimes there’s a chance that you get something...

Then we went to a pizza shop in Monsey. the pizza wasn’t thegreatest.

In morning (Sunday) before we went skiing, we went to a flea market(odds & ends sold very cheaply).We made it be a blast !!! (We had a scavenger hunt there!)

“Cross Country Skiing”Sunday, January 12, 1992

We went skiing at Campgaw Mts!! It’s in NJ. We got ski boots, skis & poles. After, we tried them on,we went out and learned how to ski with an instructor. Ours, was Kim. We were a group of 4: ChayaRochel Lipsker, Sara’le Labkowski, Sara’le Gorowitz, Luba’le Light and me. She was a nice instructor.We learned how to go uphill : going sideways, how to stop: make a pizza; wedge, & how to use the ski-lift uphill.

We loved it! We even got ski-lift tickets which were pinned onto our coats.On way back, we stopped at Teaneck, by Chana Sara’s sister, to have a little farbrengen and say ourhachlatos.... We came home at 9 p.m.G’nite!

Long IslandSunday, May 10, 1992

(Today’s Mother’s Day!)Today, the 9th grade (us!) went on a “sun-a-ton,” instead of a “shabbaton,” to Long Island. We weresupposed to leave at 1:45 sharp! But school ends at 1:00 and till we shlep out of the building it’s 1:15,till we get home it’s 1:30, and you have no time to change, etc, So, Chany Metal and I both went toRivky Chanin to change from our uniforms. We actually left Crown Heights at approx. 2:30!! Wow!That’s early! Amazing! You made it on time! (sarcastically)

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Is this sounding too boring? Well I’ll liven it a bit up.

We had a ‘great’ time on the bus (a school bus). I sat with Sara’le and Zelda Gorowitz (cousins).Finally, we arrived at Long Island. First, we were welcomed by our hostess, Chaya Teldon!We sat in her cozy, homey living room as she told us funny and inspiring stories of her adventure, hereon Long Island.(of the reform rabbi who gave 100 cabbage patch dolls a hebrew name, of Chaya’s cos-tumes on Purim, etc.)

Afterwards, we went to a lovely park. It was grassy rolling hills, a playground with all sorts of funthings, & a ball court. Some girls played machanayim. I went on one of the paths (trails-camping) witha group of girls. We had a blast! Then we had some childish fun & went on see-saws, slides andswings.Then we saw a beautiful sight: it was the sun as a ball of redfire. Really pretty it was. We snapped some shots of it (with acamera-not a gun!). We then had delicious Bar-B-Q! hot dogs,french-fry,etc.

P.S. After our trip, 5 girls got TICKS. I was so scared I mightget it. But I shouldn’t have been for if you take care of it rightaway,it’s o.k. But I was still worried. As one girl in my classsaid, :”You shouldn’t be dead scared, but be careful.”

All in all, it was a great trip of May ‘92. I’m in a rush (don’tyou see it by my handwriting ??) so, see you soon iy”h.So long..Esty

29. Crown Heights(written in 1991 for a school travel essay)

Crown Heights is a busy place! People from all over the world come here – Israelis, Frenchies, Englishand more. Even from its name, “Crown Heights” is on top, the crown of the heights!

“What is so great about Crown Heights?” you may want to ask. Maybe if I will write four more pagesof vivid detail you will begin to marvel at the “crown of the heights.”

First let us start with the Lubavitch community and the wondrous Lubavitcher Rebbe. Their headquar-ters are at 770 Eastern Parkway (the red brick building that serves as a shul for Lubavitchers, the Rebbeand to all Jews far and wide…)

The Rebbe is very close to his people, the Chassidim. He guides them in the right path.Every Sunday, the Rebbe gives out dollars, to men, women and children, each one individually receivesa dollar and a blessing, too! The Rebbe gives a dollar to reinforce giving of Tzedakah.

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The Rebbe is really very special. It’samazing how people from all over theworld come to see him in 770, the sovery crowded Shul.

The shopping avenue in Crown Heightsis Kingston Ave. It’s bustling with activi-ty; people are coming and going. There’sRaskin’s Fruit Store, the Pharmacist, theFloral Shop, the Shoe Store, Bookstore,clothing store, Women’s World, the HatPlace, the Library, and the Bagel Shop.

There’s a nice Lubavitcher school forgirls, here, too! It’s called Bais Rivka.(In fact I go there!)Here the houses are closely attached, itmay cause one to get claustrophobic. There’s not too much greenery either. But the warm atmosphereof Crown Heights makes up for all the slight inconveniences.Crown Heights is a lively atmosphere: girls are laughing, women chatting, boys playing… People areopen and friendly once you get to know them. As in most communities, there are all types of people.Some are outgoing, some shy; some talkative, some quiet; some are formal, and some are casual.

You may meet creative people with interesting personalities. Crown Heights is an interesting place tovisit. You will meet new people and experience another world.Come see Crown Heights!

If I were Elected President

If I were elected president, it would be pret-ty exciting! Imagine not only the 1st womanpresident but also the 1st Jewish President!!

First, I’d throw a party for all my friends.Everyone would be excited for me! Theneveryone would give me advice on how tolead the country: Nechama Dina wouldadvise that I should emphasize educationstrongly. The knowledge will guide peopleon the right path, away from crime, etc. itwill give people jobs, happy family life, &surely better perspective on life itself.Education, Indeed, will cut down onDrugs,homeless, alcoholics ,& crime rate.

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Chanie would offer: to develop & increase everlasting peace& tranquility throughout the world, inorder that the world will become safe, and at peace with one another.

And now I would give my own idea: that although there needs to be a separation of church &state, reli-gion in school should be applied, so that students will know & realize G-d. And they come to fearingG-d.and knowing that there is a G-d in this world, knowing that there is a boss over us, knowing thatthere is purpose in life, these all bring about the right values to a person in succeeding his/her propergoals in life.

32. “The Most Interesting Place I Went To – The Little Room”

You asked us to write about the most inter-esting place we’ve ever been to. Somegirls will write about exotic places and far-away lands. I don’t have to go very far.Just down to my basement, right past thehallway and across the Pesach Kitchen, iswhat we call “The Little Room.”

My father’s little room is lit by a smalllight-bulb hanging from a string from theceiling in the basement. My father is aRabbi, but not just the shul kind, he’s aChabad Shliach that has almost every jobin the world, as long as it will help bringanother Jew closer to Yiddishkeit.

This little room is full of my father’s gimmicks. There are big Shabbos candles made of wood, anddreidels that light-up and spin around on record-players. There are big round smiling Matzos forPesach, and beautiful Menorahs for Chanukah. Oh, and there are stickers! Rolls and rolls of them…Some say to Eat Kosher and have a delicious hot pizza on them, others say Learn Torah – it’s the realthing! Some stickers say to buy a letter in the Torah.

It’s a small room and it always seems that there’s never any more room. But when it gets too clutteredin Tatty’s office upstairs, and Mommy says it’s time to throw things out, my father gives us things totake down to the little room.

A magazine, a calendar, or a bookmark... He’s always spreading these stuff out on tables and sortingthem.

Oh! The little room! You can spend hours in the little room. You can sit on boxes and open file cabinetsand read things. You can browse through albums with pictures from years back when Chabad still had aKosher hotdog cart! I peel off the stickers, read a cute article and pull out buried stuff…

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There are miniature Sukkahs and exhibits from Jewish fairs. Over on the right are big walls made ofwood. One is a painting of the Kremlin, the other of the Western Wall. I just sit there at night, I lookthrough the papers and articles. I read on and on… it’s so interesting.

You can dream away, and imagine all kinds of things. It’s like a world for itself. Our little room. Aminiature world about Jewish things. It’s not a book or a sefer, but it is full of ideas how to teach whatit says in the Torah to other people who can’t read black and white. They like to see things colorful, fullof life and fun. Like the things in the little room. Just to make Jews love their Yiddishkeit…

IsraelIsrael is a beautiful place to visit! The view of scenery is unique: dry and sandy deserts and wideoceans...Although Israel is tiny in size (It’s smaller than New Jersey!), the whole world is speakingabout Israel !!!

Recently, thousands of RussianImmigrants have been pouring into theLand of Israel.Israel citizens try to make these peoplefeel at home and be comfortable, sincethe immigrants must adjust to a new lan-guage, get jobs, and get homes (whichare very hard to get there, due to the factthat each month, more and more immi-grants are coming.)

Israel is the home to many types of Jews.Although, they may have different cus-toms, they still are in unity in keepingtheir Jewish state in existence.

The Kotel (Western Wall) is a famousand historic site, in the city of Jerusalem.Thousands of Jewish people come topray here..It is a very moving and emo-tional place..

Israel has been in a drought for the past few years. Israelis are limiting their water. (If you’ll ask some-one visiting Israel, they’ll tell you that even running water for a minute is a “no-no”).

At age 18, boys are drafted to serve in the army. They must serve for a 4 year term. Students who arelearning smicha are excluded from being drafted. The Chabad atmosphere lifts up the soldiers’ spirits.Seeing a mitzva tank, with someone putting on tefillin can warm you up inside. Some people are notused to seeing a gun, but Israeli’s who see an army tank, it’s as if it’s part of the scenery.

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33. The Person I Admire Most

The person I admire most is Queen Esther. She risked her life and saved her people, the Jewish people,from being destroyed by the wicked Haman in the land of Persia. I admire her for her strength, mod-esty, humility and her faith.Her strength – in keeping the Jewish people together and united to stay as a nation although the timeswere hard.Her modesty – Although she was good looking and pretty, she did not show off her beauty.Her humility – Although she was the queen at the palace, she did not show off to others.Her faith – She kept the Shabbos. She had seven maids for each day of the week, so each would notknow that Shabbos was different from her daily schedule. She still kept Kosher, only ate fruits, vegeta-bles and seeds. She trusted and had faith in Hashem that all is for the good.Since I was also named Esther, I do my best to bring out her ideals and follow in her ways.

34. The Scariest Situation I Have Ever Been InI don’t remember exactly when, but I must have been seven or eight years of age. We were going shop-ping in Macy’s! It was a big sale that day. I went with my mother, my Aunt Sadie who was visitingfrom Israel and my best friend Malkie. I remember my mother saying “Stay with me Esty don’t getlost.” But I so longingly looked at the jewelry in the jewelry section, there were bracelets, necklaces,watches, rings and earrings, galore! There was so much dazzle to look at. I especially loved the braceletwith charms… a mini-piano, a telephone, a sneaker, a pair of dice, and a set of keys. Everything toattract your attention!

Soon I had my share of gazing at the jewelry counters and I decided to see where my mother was,but… she wasn’t there! I looked here and there, but she was nowhere to be seen. I quickly realizedwhat happened and now I was lost. I began to cry and my friend Malkie tried to console me. We decid-ed to tell the lady at the counter that we were lost. Then we told her our names. She announced ournames on the mic. Meanwhile we sat in a waiting room. Since it was a big sale that day we saw someof our mother’s friends, too. Soon enough, my mother came. I ran to her and hugged her. I was sohappy.

35. My Dearest Friend

Although that I’ve had many good friends, the one who lives through my day to day lives is my mother.We do everything together. My mother and I, we go shopping, go to the library, talk together and takewalks. We help each other out. I help her with the kids in the kitchen, with the housework and laundry.She helps me with my homework and gives me good advice when I am in trouble. I know I can trusther, so I tell her what is on my mind or what is bothering me.

My mother’s always there to give me a kind word, simple advice, and a smile. Now that I am awayfrom home, I may feel homesick; have trouble with my homework or with friends. I keep in touch with

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my mother. She calls me and I tell her what’shappening in school. After I speak with her, Ifeel more calm in my situation.

Maybe when I become a mother someday, Imay also be a best friend to my daughters. I’msure we will be close, sharing our secrets witheach other. I will always be there to listen andto try to give advice.

I feel proud to have a best friend like my mother!

36. Observations of A Classroom (Beth Rivka)

Coming into a classroom, I see dull green rows with five rows of brown desks, five in each row. Eachdesk is unique from another; one has a broken foot, the other brags a mysteriously missing seat. On thetop of each desk is the students’ initials, comments, quotes and messages… the list goes on.

From the images we see and experience we can almost imagine the personalities of our dear students.Now we take the teachers view. He or she sits at an old-fashioned desk (for there are holes in the deskfor inkwells) and she has an old-fashioned chair to match. We don’t usually find her in chair. (I thinkthe chair and the desk are just for show). Whether it’s because of her size or not, we’ll never know. Butshe paces back and forth, in front of her desk, in back of her desk and weaves in and out of the deskrows. Boy, does the pacing make the student’s nervous….

Oy, how could I have forgotten the blackboard! You may call it the greenboard, I may call it the black-board- therefore, let’s compromise and call it the chalkboard! You surely don’t miss the chalkboardwhen entering the classroom! The students dread it deep down in their hearts, but instead, cover uptheir feelings by scribbling away messages etc. on the chalkboard. The teacher uses this dreadful crea-ture to write assignments, homework, punishments, the works!

And the students think they can get away with it for hiding the chalk and eraser. Instead of the teacherrummaging thru the desk, she becomes lazy and sends you to the office to get it.

Wouldn’t you think that this dreadful chalkboard gets dusty and dirty from such nonsense scribblingfrom both teachers and students?! Well, weren’t we surprised, when, as a holiday, Yud Tes Kislev, theydecided to clean it for us. This certainly called for a celebration! Not only did we yell “shechiyanu” butwe decided to test out our newly cleaned chalkboard. We began our scribbling and scribbled our fill. ( Ibet you can imagine it!)

Enough of that dreadful board!

Now let’s take a look through the windows. “Oh, I see my sister Dvory in the playground down there.She goes to Pre 1a, Devory, Hi!”

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The students love to escape the classroom and enter the Pre 1a innocence, only a few flights down…. “they always seem to have recess. I always see them playing outside….” Windows are always beingopened and shut. This one says “It’s too hot!” while this one complains, “Oh, it’s too cold!”

But there’s more complaints! This time it’s about the window shades. They’re controlled by a string-it’s a pulley: “Bais Rivka style” This one says “I need some sunlight here, it’s so dark.” And the othersays, “Oh, the sun’s rays are beating down on me,” and begins to tell her scientific reasoning about the danger of ultraviolet rays.

The Classroom Adventure is almost over. The bell is about to ring. We expressed our feelings aboutthe walls, desks, teachers, desk and chair, the chalkboard, windows and windowshades.The sounds we hear in the classroom: the students humming in the back row, the teacher drumming onher desk waiting for silence, and the students’ noisy complaints, etc. The sounds we hear outside theclassroom are the playful, pre 1a children, whom we wish we could trade places with.

And we saw colors: the dull green walls, brown desks, green or black chalkboards, etc.The Classroom Adventure isn’t over. The rest is up to your imaginations, since I can only write thephysical observations, you (the audience or the reader) must imagine the feelings and personalities ofthe teachers and students.

40. Dearest HadarMonday, July 13, ‘92 12 TamuzBelow is a letter I wrote to a good friendof mine, Hadar Feinberg, whose fatherpassed away recently, a month ago...

Dear Hadar,I was so sorry to hear of your father’spassing. I feel very sad. It must be a ter-ribly hard thing to accept.This past year, for my 1st year of highschool (9th grade), I went to BaisRivkah, which is in Brooklyn.I boarded by my Bubby & Zeidy (mymother’s parents). They’re very nice to me. I had a good year, considering it was a new school for me.The girls in 9th grae are friendly and nice. I’m lucky that they’re a good group of girls and not bossynor with clics. The year was a bit hard, though. Especially in taking the math and Earth ScienceRegents! Did you take them? I learned to actually enjoy Math (the Algebra- it’s interesting how x,y, canequal numbers). I did get a 96% on my Math Regent!

Anyway, I hated Earth Science! It‘s so challenging and you need loads of patience. Towards the end ofthe year, I had learned to put up with it and try to understand it. It really wasn’t too bad, compared to

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the regent- this mainly concentrated on rocks (boring)which we skimmed over at the end of the year. I was sohapy I passed!

In History, we covered the Middle East, Africa and Japan!In English, we read and analyzed short stories in literature.We also had typing! These were our Hebrew subjects:Chumash, Likutei Tanyah, Sichot, Malachim, Trei Asar,Historia, Parsha, Halachah, Ivrit. We also had special pro-gram during school, once a week! nice arts& crafts, string-ing pearls, sports, food decorating/ baking. That was reallya good break!

Looking back, I indeed had a wonderful year at BaisRivka. It was a wonderful experience for me.I’m home in Albany for July. My parents went to EretzYisrael for 2 weeks: June 21- July 5. they had a wonderful time!

My mother visited her sister Sari and her brother Itchie (Yosef Yitzchak) who live in Israel.I watched my brothers/sisters. Abba’le (my older brother) and Yossy were here the 1st week. ThenAbba’le and Mendel went to Detroit camp as counselors.Yossy went to the Morristown camp.The 2nd week, wasn’t too bad. My Bubby from NY came up for the last Shabbos. It really was worth itfor my parents. Israel is such a beautiful and holy place. I wish all of us Jews could live there, in peace.In August, I’ll be going to Camp Emunah, iy”h. About 10 girls are going from Albany! Albany is grow-ing! (My sisters Devora Leah and Rivkie are included!) I also have a cute baby sister, Chaya Mushka,who’s 1 1/2 years. She’s delicious!

Are you doing anything special this summer? Have you seen Chaya Sugarman lately ? Are you intouch with her ? How’s she doing? Send her my best regards.

This past Sunday, I went to Levi Simon’s Bar Mitzva. Can you believe it, everyone’s getting older? It was at Beth Tefila, the beautiful shul in Troy. ( My brother Yossy has his Bar Mitzva there, too!) IsMenashe’s Bar Mitzva coming up ?

Please best regards to Ruvain from my brother, Shmuly.I’ll sign off now...

Love always,Your friend forever,

Esty Rubin

P.S. I want very much to keep in touch with you. Please write!P.P.S. I will always remember the good memories and happy times we had together, like ice-skating andyour sleepover parties... Hope I see you soon!

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41. Life in a Time Machine(3/10/91)

Guess what? Last night I had the most exciting and adventurous dream! I dreamt my life was in atime machine! I could press the purple button if I wanted to fly back into the past, or I could press theneon/orange button to jump into the future! It wasn’t hard to make my choice, between going backinto the past or stepping into the future. The past I’d have to leave for another time, since I’ve learnedenough about the past from my ninth grade History teacher!

But I was impatiently curious as to what the future would hold… So, without delay, I pressed thatcolorful neon/orange button. And, sure enough, where it lay before me: An oriental wine-colored car-pet exported from the heavenly skies. It was floating along in the breeze, with trumpets blasting at itssides. It was floating over toward the U.S. and it was picking up speed as it came towards the BigApple… New York City. Then it neared Crown Heights and sure enough towards the glorious redbrick building 770!

49. Shabbos in Saratoga24 Tamuz, 5752 Shabbos Nite, July 25, ‘92

We spent this Shabbos at the Igel’s bungalow in Saratoga. It was quite an experience! We arrived onFriday at 5 p.m. at the Stark’s house. We stayed there an hour. Devora Leah & Rivky would stay therefor Shabbos.

Then we went to the Igel’s bungalow. We had a nice clean apartment: a bathroom, a bedroom, akitchen and dining room.

My parents slept in the bedroom with ChayaMushka, Simmy and Efraim slept there too,although they were suppose to sleep in the kitchenwhere a cool fan was blowing. I slept on a cot inthe dining room. We had the air conditioner on ashabbos clock and it came on Shabbos afternoon.(Shmuly had stayed in Albany and slept over by afriend.) Yossy and Mendel and Abba were inMorristown and Gan Izzy of Detroit.)

Shabbos started at 8:05 p.m. At about 7:30 werealized we didn’t have much fruit, so I went insearch of a store. I finally found one. The fruitswere pretty expensive. Plums were .60 and grapes $1.99!

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Anyways, we davened Mincha and Maariv. The mealstarted really late for us Albanians: 9:30!It was a delicious meal! The Igel’s oldest son is marriedto Simmy, a nice girl. The next girl, Yitty (18) isengaged also! She’s very nice and very helpful. theyhave 2 girls and a boy in camp. Then they have twinboys with long payos and the same tooth is missing!Their names, Shmuel Aryeh and Avigdor.We went to sleep at 12:00 a.m.! I woke up Shabbosmorning at 9 a.m.

We davened outside with the other ladies (with tichelsperched atop their sheitels!) Meanwhile, Mommy washaving a hard time with Simmy and ChayaMushka.(Those 2 other girls kept staring at me thewhole time..) Then we had a kiddush, starring LazerIgel’s (the father) cholent ! The Starks & otherSaratogians came to taste the scrumptious cholent.

Then we had Shabbos lunch. They gave us 3 types offishes and egg salad with veggies. There was cholent, kugel, salads & more. We also had watermelon.We finished the meal at 3:30!!!I was kinda bored Shabbos afternoon, so I took a 5 minute walk to the Saratoga Park. I walked around,admiring, Hashem’s beautiful nature and creations, watching squirrels scurrying to and fro. Then I saton a bench, just to relax and let my mind wander.

I sat there for half an hour. I soon came back to our bungalow. Our “neighbors” were a mother anddaughter and little... Mommy remembered the mother from years back(in school). The girl wore braids,but I saw she wore a diamond ring. She was engaged. They lived in Monsey. She worked in a playgroup there. They used to go to the Rebbe Shlita, may he be well, on Sunday for dollars. At 5:30, mymother gave a shiur on the ladies out by the lawn. She spoke well. It was a sicha comparing Pinchas toYirmiyahu (the haftara) She had given this talk previously by the Tuesday Nite class. Everyone enjoyedit. Then we had shalosh seudos by the Igels.It was very tasty... very generous and wonderful hosts andhostesses.(We also saw Yitty’s pictures of the engagement party and vort & her future chasan). Then we shmoozed sitting on the lawn chairs. I met Etty Hoffman, with her sisters. She goes to Satmar school and is here in Saratoga for 3 weeks. She’s gonna be 12 soon. she’s very nice. They speak an interesting yiddish, too. We left Shabbos nite and came home at 12 a.m.If you don’t mind, Miss... I wrote this on Sunday, not motzi ShabbosP.S. See you soon, in Camp Emuna...

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50. Rabbi Hecht (Memories)6 Av 5752 August 5, ‘92

Today we slept late till 12. p.m. because Color War was yesterday and the day before. The teams: 8thgrade Yirah- green, 9th Ahava- blue. Yirah won!

Today I worte a “memory of Rabbi Hecht z”l article,” for his yartzeit next Friday and we’re sendingsome articles to the Jewish Press.

Here is the poem that I enclosed:

Rabbi Hecht was the Daddy of us allHe would run when someone would callHe would outstretch his handTo all those in the landHe would jump, he would singOnes who heard him: their ears would ringFor he would help them stop their hurtingTo follow in his footsteps we shall try& in this we’ll soar so high.

Here’s the article that I wrote:

Rabbi Hecht, z”l, gave his heart to CampEmunah. He touched with great sincerity, thelives of many girls who were once lost and farfrom yiddishkeit.No one will forget their warm atmosphere andfond memories and wonderful experiencesspent at Camp Emunah with Rabbi Hecht.

On Fri. nite, he would sing,Atzabeihem Kesef V’Zahav Ma’aseh Yidei Adam.He would jump when he sang. He wanted to make others happy.We knew that he cared for each and every Jewish soul no matter how high or low it stood.

His entire life was giving. Giving his hand to carry another’s burden, giving his heart to one who need-ed someone to care, giving his smile to encourage, and giving over himself to whomever needed him.We will continue his goal of giving of what we have to those who have little background in yiddishkeit;we will care for our fellow jew.

“You can take girls out of Emunah, but you can’t take Emunah out of the girls” is Emunah’s motto,meaning that a girl might leave Camp Emunah, but the spirit of Emunah will never leave her heart.

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Simmy’s Upshern25 Elul 5751 Wednesday, Sept 4, 1991

Tonite, at 6:45 p.m., a very special thing is taking place! It’s the 3rd birthday of Nachman SimchaRubin - My little brother Simmy!!! It’s his 1st haircutting, his “upsherin!”

First let me tell you the food menu: we had watermelon baskets with balled cantaloupe, watermelon, &blueberries inside. And there were toothpicks, of strawberry, blueberry, & grapes along the sides of thewatermelon basket. The fruits are especially delicious at this time of the year!

My mother also baked Cake! It was really good! And the Phaffs brought over a fruit platter.. RivkaGoldstein made a punch drink… and the Krakowers gave us a flower basket!The Friedmans, Goldsteins, Kudans, Backmans, Gross, Horowitz, Losice, Teitelmans, Saloffs, Phaffs,Persky, Fogel, Kellman, Rosenblums, Simons, Morissons, Bernsteins, Gordons, Stempels, Bomzer, allcame!……. Bye for now …

P.S. Shelly Abelson also took a Rubin family picture with our “upsherin- boy”: Simmy!!!

“Golden Acres” Rosh Chodesh Elul 5752 Sunday, Aug. 30, 1992

Dear Diary,Today we went to “Golden Acres” w/ Tatty, Yossy, Shmuly, D.L., Rivky, Efraim, Simmy, ChayaMushka & Me!

I took 1hr+15min.When we got there, we saw the sheep, rabbits, goats, & chickens. We milked cows &gave to drink bottles of milk to the calves & goats. There was a 3- week-old calf! We saw the horsestoo! D.L., Rivky, Efraim, & Simmy had apony ride! We also went boating. I wentw/ D.L. & Rivky on a pedaling boat!

After Golden Acres we visited the Hydro-electric water plant of Gilboa. We lookedin the visitor’s museum & browsed there& saw a video too. (Then we went to thestore to get juice, cuz mushky was cryingfor a bottle.) We also walked thru a“closed bridge.” Finally, we came to ahome-grown—fruits & vegetables shop.We bought an entire bx. of tomatoes,melons, corn, & cucumber. How Tasty!And soon we made our way to our“Home Sweet Home!”

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Shmuly’s Bar MitzvahMotzi Shabbos Kodesh 11 Elul, 5753 Aug.28, 1993

This Shabbos was my brother’s Shmuel Dovid’s Bar Mitzva ! The Yuzevitz’s, Levi Piekarski, D.L.,Efraim& Eliezer P., Michoel & Faigy Carciente* all came!*newlyweds! We made them Sheva Brachos! Bubby P. & Bubby & Zeidy Rubin also came!

Rika Goldstein helped mommy with all the food! The salads & schnitzel (that Abbale & yossely helpedher with). Shaina Kudan made some kugels & a cake. Kayla Stempel made a yummy apple cake! TheChanowitzs helped us on Friday.

Friday nite was a nice meal. We also invited Liz Okrent & son Jacob, Johanna & Salo Steper, MichelleFriedman & Ariel Schwam. Shabbos by day was very festive. Shmuly lained Parshas Ki Teitzei withthe Hafatora very beautifully. He said a speech about building a “ma’kah” – a fence to grow inYiddishkeit but to keep it down to earth & not just lofty ideals…The meal was yummy! Many peopleattended. Lesser, Bomzer, Silverstein, Nina, Hope, Stempel, Simon, Abrams…

Later on at 4:30 there was a ladies shiur at Johanna Steper’s home given over beautifully by ClaraSimon about Hashem coming into the field, Davka : the lowest place: Dirah Btachtonim. Johanna madea lovely spread of food: bean dip, taco chips, vegetables, fruit salad…Then at our home, us girl & lady cousins had a shalosh seudos: DL, Faygi, Bubbies, Ma, & Sarale Y.

Goodnite! We Want Moshiach Now !

How I would control the classif I were the TeacherIf I were the teacher. I would keep calm & not get frustrated incontrolling the class. Instead of doing things in a negative way(punishments, etc), which would only bring the students to rebel,I’d do things in appositive manner, like going on trips, giving outcoupons to get prizes with, etc. I’d prepare before class, jokespertaining to the material we’d be learning, so that kids won’t fallasleep & so kids will see fun in learning.

When I would explain something, I wouldn’t leave a vague pic-ture in the students mind. Instead I’d make it a hands – on experi-ence. I’d work hard a certain thing 3-dimensional from, so that itwill be tangible; some thing to touch, & be able to relate to.

I wouldn’t just be a paid teacher, but I’d go above and beyond thecall of duty; beyond the limit. Outside the school, I wouldn’t justbe “the teacher”. I would be their friend. I’d arrange extra- cur-ricular activities, not necessarily academics, but also sports etc.Now my students will regard me as what I am besides for mytitle: “teacher.” 17

That’s Life !As I’m growing up, I think, ”Life isn’t fair!”Here are some memories that I look back on, beginning with my kindergarten age. Having to sit in the corner if you were bad, That’s Life!Having to make your bed each morning, That’s Life!Having to shlep to the grocery to buy milk, That’s Life!Having to sit inside on a rainy day, when you could be splashing in the puddles , That’s Life!Having to see my baby brother’s curly blond hair being chopped off when he is only 3, That’s Life!Having to sit patiently in class, when the window shows a beautiful summer’s day, & the feeling thatyou won’t be able to get out there to run & play, That’s Life!Having to wake up itching with chicken pox, That’s Life!Having to take the garbage out, That’s Life!Having to put the math home-work on the blackboard, That’s Life!Having to wash and wipe the dishes, That’s Life!Having to seethe delicious, juicy, scrumptious, chocolate- covered doughnut- or that crunchy, munchycheese- Danish, & you wish with all your heart that you could just take a teeny bite, when you are on adiet, That’s Life!Having to write all this out when your hand is hurting you, That’s Life!

My ParentsMy parents are Shluchim of Albany, NY. Although they have a verybusy schedule, they make sure to put time aside, in which to spend sometime with my family.

My mother is also a teacher & principal of the Maimonides Day schoolin Albany. My father is a Rabbi & he also teaches at Maimonides.

Let me tell you some wonderful things about my mother: First mymother is like my best friend. Whenever I need help or need someone totalk to, my mother is always there, ready to listen. I know that I cantrust her, because, as my mother, she knows what’s best for me. Anotherthing a bout my mother is that she’s a giving person. She’s generoustowards other people besides worrying about herself. She’s also verydevoted to her job of teaching. When she has difficult students, she takes them as a challenge, worksvery hard so that they should improve.

My father’s also very wonderful whenever we need to go to the library, grocery, or to a nearby park. Hewill make special time out of his busy schedule to care for us his family.

My mother grew up in Brooklyn. She went to Bais Rivka. At the age of 4 1/2, she wanted to go toschool. She would wait on the steps for her friend who went to 1st grade. My Bubby decided to let her

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go, & let her see what 1st grade as like, So she went. When she came onto 1st grade, she sat down andwatched. At the end of the day, she didn’t even want to go home. My Bubby chose to let her go to 1stgrade, even at age 4 1/2, since she was so excited about going to school.

My father grew up in Montreal, Canada. He went to Tomchei Tmimmim Yeshiva.Both my father & my mother are very special & dear to my family.

Be HappyFrom Esty’s Journal on becoming a staff member at summer camp

… getting into that place (camp as a staff member) was a parsha (saga) on its own. I didn’t know if Iwould go there. I wrote a P”an (letter to the Rebbe, after his passing) that I want to find out what to dofor the summer, and that I want to be happy with where I go. I knew I was asking a little too much withthe second thing, but it was important to me.

Being happy is one of the most important things, because you can have everything, but not be happy,and then what is it all worth? I knew I should just be happy that I find a place, and v’zehu. But theRebbe can do a lot. A day later the girls (staff) said I could come! So you see that you don’t have to beafraid of asking too much.

At first I was with older kids, and then they wanted to change me to the 4th and 5th year olds. That feltlike an insult, and I told them I didn’t want to. In the end, I changed, and I was very happy. YeridahTzorech Aliyah (descent for the sake of an ascent)…

My Engagement!Thursday June 18, 1998

Can you believe it I am actually engaged! His name isMendel Cohen from Manchester! My L’Chaim was reallybeautiful. He sent me gorgeous flowers for the L’Chaim. HisMother Came! We picked her up from the airport . She’svery nice. A lot of people came to the L’Chaim. It was onWednesday. I met his cousins and his relatives. Everyone isso nice and friendly. It’s all so exciting. But I am also nerv-ous. Everything is happening so fast. Everyone is so shockedthat I am engaged! Little quiet Esty… Everyone is so happyfor me. So am I. The Choson doesn’t like all the “tumult”.He liked it better by the Ohel where it was quiet, just the twoof us (and some other people). See you later, Diary !

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Shlichus Starts YoungFrom a Talk by Esty Rubin at the Kinus HaShluchos, as a daughter of Shluchim

Everyone in this room is a Shlucha. Youall know good and well, what Shlichusreally means. Not just from the newspaper.Not just from a book, or even a Sicha. Youknow about Shlichus firsthand, from youreveryday lives.

You know Shlichus, because you liveShlichus. That says a whole lot more thanany speaker can. I was asked to speakabout the Zechus of being a Shlucha. HereI am among many hundreds of Shluchos.So what more can I say, just add words?

Shlichus is a dedication. A lifelong com-mitment. lt’s easy to speak about it, but itis a lot more than words can say. Talk ischeap, but actions speak louder thanwords.

The most powerful and meaningful statement about the Rebbe’s Shlichus are each and every one ofyou. The Shluchos. The Shluchos themselves. What more can I add? What more can I say?Some of my friends here in New York, think that Shlichus is exciting and glamorous, and full of fun.After all, you live in a new place, meet different people, do exciting programs, see yourself in thenewspaper, and everyone thinks you’re special.

I’m just a young girl. But I’m old enough to know that Shlichus is not just a bed of roses. It isn’t allthat easy, and there are always new, hard, challenges at every step of the way. There are many sacrificesto make. Many sacrifices, both spiritual and material. You have to give up many personal comforts. Itcan be very hard to be a Lubavitcher where everyone else is different. The Chinuch isn’t always whatyou want for your own children, and it’s hard to send kids away from home.

I was the only one my age at school, and there were very few girls to be friends with. Now I’m in BaisRivka, with so many girls, it’s hard to imagine life back home. I remember it was very lonely. Still itwas so special. Being the oldest girl is a big responsibility, everyone looks up to you, and learns fromyou. I’d help my mother in her Shlichus with all the people who came to our home. Each Friday Iwould take a younger girl along, and we would visit Jewish patients in the local hospitals. With aflower, a Challah, and a friendly cheer, we`d wish them a Good Shabbos. So many people rememberedus; we learned that a little smile can go a long way.

Other people don’t think as we do, and we have to be fine examples to show them the way. Not every-one wants to listen to what we have to tell them. It can be frustrating selling diamonds when peoplethink you‘ve got coal.

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When my family first moved to Albany, people actually bet money that we wouldn’t stay. Go back toBrooklyn, they said. But stay we did, and those people lost their bets. Actually that was my father’svery first fund-raiser. We showed them that with the Rebbe’s Kochos, we can thrive anywhere. Andhelp others grow too.

Lubavitch is no longer in the woods of Vitebsk. We live in America. We’re on a Shlichus all over theworld. We must prepare the world for Moshiach. Moshiach isn’t coming just for a hand- ful ofChassidim in Crown Heights. It’s our job, our Shlichus, to make the entire world Eretz Yisroel.It can be very difficult. It takes a lot of guts and a lot of Emunah, to rise above it all. And not just once.lf you jump into a fire ‘Al Kiddush Hashem’ that’s just once. But to live with Mesiras Nefesh, day inday out, — that is Shlichus.

What is the Zechus of being a Shlucha?Zechus means a merit. There are a lot of merits. You leam to have courage, you leam to be strong, tomake decisions, to speak out for Yiddishkeit. You find talents you never knew you had, developing andexpressing yourself right, for the right things.

We have the Zechus of teaching Jewish children, caringfor others more than for ourselves. We have manyZechusim. But the biggest Zechus is still coming. Wenow stand at the threshold of the greatest moment ever.The moment we waited for thousands of years.

l am just one young girl. To think that I had a part inBiyas Moshiach. I have a little share. I am one of theRebbe’s Shluchim, to prepare the world for Geula.I am so proud to be one of the soldiers who helped winthis war.

Ashreynu Ma Tov Chelkaynu! Me, just a young girl andl‘m the Rebbe’s Shlucha. The Rebbe’s very own messen-ger. Ashraynu, Happy our we! How joyous is our lot!Rebbe, you chose me! You gave me a share!

Thank you Rebbe.

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Memories & words of comfortfrom friends & familyEsty’s weddingGrowing up, I always looked up to Esty for she was an older girl. She was always so put together, happy, andpositive about everything. Whenever she would come and visit at school, I always liked to talk with her. She wasso easy to get along with. She had no pretences or fakeness. She never looked down at me for being younger andfor that I really admired her.

Esty’s wedding was the first wedding I ever went too and I was so excited to go. When I saw her at the wedding,she was so beautiful and radiant. There was a long line of people waiting to wish her Mazel Tov. As I waited, Ihad so much to say but I knew this was her wedding day and I should just wish her Mazel Tov. When it was myturn to wish her Mazel Tov, she spoke to me as if she had all the time in the world.That truly meant a lot to me.Esty was such a beautiful person. For those who saw her on the outside saw a sweet, aidle, and kind girl. Forthose who knew her on the inside, knew how even more beautiful and special she really was.Sincerely,Sarah Aidel Calvo( Morrison)

Tzniyus...who we areI met Esty in Teen Camp. For me, who felt like a stranger in a strange new land, being friends with Esty was sorefreshing. We were both writers, but she took it more seriously and wrote for camp. I'm not sure if it was acamp newsletter, or something like that. But I really, really enjoyed her. She was fun, and funny, and cute, andcreative, and unassuming, and smart.

She never felt like she had to join the cool gangs, ever. But she was so nice to everyone. I wish I kept up withher. She was just so enjoyable, so real, so true. I am devastated by her passing, and just thinking about how herhusband and parents and children suffer pains me so much.

I feel like remembering Esty is bringing a whole new level of tzniyus into the world, a level of tzniyus that does-n't just have to do with how we dress, but who we are.

Hashem should comfort Esty's whole family together will all aveilei tziyon.

Nechama Dina Smith

Dear Rabbi Rubin and Rochel,

It was a shock to hear about Esty and her tragic death, as many have written. I remember Esty as a little girl, when Rabbi Rubin would pick her up and place her on his lap during a women’sshiur after my Jonathan was born. On and off the lap, as she pleased, with a patient Rabbi Rubin letting herabsorb what she could at her own level for her own age.

I always wondered what she would look like when she became an adult. She had those chipmunk cheeks of theRabbi and his nose, and those gorgeous large eyes of Rochel. Seeing her photo as an adult, now online, I behold

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a very beautiful woman. More than that, I have read her diary, and her entries reflect how truly aidel she was.

Esty's vignettes reveal a young woman embracing life, but not just life in general...her particular life. WhenRabbi Rubin was working to establish Chabad in Albany, he probably didn’t realize that the “the little room” hehad created as an office would evoke memories of enchantment that Esty described:

"Oh! The little room! You can spend hours in the little room…I just sit there at night, I look through the papersand articles. I read on and on… it’s so interesting…You can dream away, and imagine all kinds of things. It’slike a world for itself. Our little room. A miniature world about Jewish things."

And Rochel, so busy with children, the house, the school, still had time to become Esty’s “dearest friend.”Wouldn’t every mother love to be depicted as Esty disclosed:

"I know I can trust her, so I tell her what is on my mind or what is bothering me…After I speak with her, I feelmore calm in my situation…Maybe when I become a mother someday, I may also be a best friend to my daugh-ters. I’m sure we will be close, sharing our secrets with each other. I will always be there to listen and to try togive advice…I feel proud to have a best friend like my mother!"

Certainly Esty inherited her father’s writing talent, and with it, she articulated the honor, love, and respect for herparents, so much so that she chose the same lifestyle for herself and her family:

"Ashreynu ma tov chelkaynu! Me, just a young girl and l‘m the Rebbe’s Shlucha. The Rebbe’s very own mes-senger. Ashraynu, Happy our we! How joyous is our lot!"

Rabbi Rubin once taught that you can’t teach a child about baseball by only reading the rules; you have to playthe game. The same is true of Judaism.

Rabbi Rubin and Rochel, you should be proud of yourselves that you created and fashioned a young woman asEsty Rubin Cohen, an Eyshes Chayil. Her diary will become as influential a book for Chassidus as “AnneFrank’s Diary” is for world peace. Her online entries, I am sure, have already inspired many people.

As you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, please remember that you have family and friends wholove you, and faith to comfort you.

HaMakom Yinachme Eschem B’Toch shar Aveilei Tzion V’Yerushalayim.With love and condolences to the entire family, indeed to the world,Edie AbramsA True and Complete Queen of Hashem.

BH. Ad mosai!!!My name is Tzippy Vigler and I am Esty's classmate. We were also together in Melbourne for Kollel. I got toknow Esty's treasured personality. Her name is an exact show of who Esty is! She is both a queen and aidel, atrue and complete queen of Hashem.

We had a real example of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka in our class. Esty is a real treasure full of middos; Tznius,warmth, depth and tranquility!Kol kvuda bas melech penima!

I will be taking on an area in Tznius because of what Esty stands for to me.Thank you for sharing Esty with us, may we be reunited with her in Moshiach's coming now!!!!

Ad mosai, In bitterness,Tzippy Vigler

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I remember walking with her to school every day, and I had to learn patience. She was new to the school and hergrandmother asked me to walk with her every day to school,. I was the fast walking city kid walking across townto high school, and she was the more relaxed in her steps. no hurry. just slow graceful steps....Chanie Levin

A Glimpse

The pain and tragedy of this loss is immense. It is indescribable in plain words.

Such a beautiful, pure soul.A dedicated wife and mother.A loving daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.A wonderful sister, sister-in-law, cousin, and niece.A devoted shlucha.The loss is being felt by so many!

I got to know Esty in Bais Rivkah High School.

Although she was a few classes younger than me, and I didn’t know her that well personally, she always inspiredme with her sweetness and sincerity.

Now, reading through her journals and writings, we merit to get a glimpse into this tremendous treasure that Estytruly embodied.

Her talk at the kinus hashluchos was so inspiring and so relevant today: “Shlichus is a dedication. A lifelong com-mitment. lt’s easy to speak about it, but it is a lot more than words can say. Talk is cheap, but actions speak louderthan words.”How true –Esty your life so embodied action, yet without all that extra fanfare… actions speak louder than words!

Esty, we are in such pain because of your untimely loss- we have been jolted out of our golus dream and stupor.We feel the birth pangs of Moshiach so intensely now! And we are trying very hard to ‘keep on pushing’...Wepledge to do whatever we can to merit that time that we are all so desperately yearning for-

To have Esty be reunited once again with her dear family & friends- in good health & happiness-with the Geulah haamitis v’hashlaima-NOW!!!!

In tribute to Esty and her dedicated & loving erev-Shabbos hospital visitations, we are iy”h strengthening ourcommitment to do just the same, on a regular basis in the local hospital in our neighborhood.

Bassie Gurary

Tehillim

My friend and I had come up to Albany to help out for Chanukah -there are so many memories and much inspira-tion of the two weeks spent in the Rubin's house. The total dedication to the Rebbe's shlichus was/is phenomenal.

Esty was about 5 and eager to share something special with me. Could I come to her room? I imagined a toy ordoll or maybe an art creation that she would show me. No, it was something more precious - Esty was now "so

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good at kriah" that she could "really read tehillim". And she wanted me to listen as I sat beside her on her bedreading "a whole perek".

When she was done, with light shining in her already bright eyes, she gave the sefer a kiss and practically flewdancing to set it on the shelf! May we and our children, in her zchus, be inspired to say tehillim and fulfill everymitzvah with such awe, love, excitement, and care.

Be Well,

Esther Rena ( Reifsnyder ) Grossman

A True Bas Melech

Dear Rubin and Cohen Families,

I had the zchus to sit next to Estie in High School, we were in the same class every year in Beis Rivka. We weretogether in Seminary Tzfas. Her refined character was exemplary. She was a true bas melech, and truly penima- atrue Esther and truly Aidel. Even though I was with her for so many years, her writings and life was alwayssomething I found intriguing because she kept so private.

Estie and I are the same age, we married around the same time, and our children are the same ages. I haven'tbeen in touch with Estie although we would always exchange a few words when we would see each other at thekinus- which she attended last year. I made Challah and davened together with so many for her Refuah. Thatnight I had a dream that I saw her, and she was walking away. Her face was shining, she looked so happy, free,and truly beautiful. The thoughts of her sudden tragic passing haunt me.

In her memory, my husband and I will Bez"h be starting a Gmach for new mothers and babies here inPhiladelphia. We will Bez"h bl"n be delivering a package of basic needs- such as diapers, wipes, and perhaps astretchie to the home before the baby comes home from the hospital. I think Estie would appreciate this. May hermemory be blessed.

May Hashem give you Koach to stand through these difficult times.Hamakom Yenachem Eschem Bsoch Shaar Avlei Tzion Veyerushalayim

Doba Weber (Bergstein)

I mamash feel for all of you. It's so not fair what Hashem had done! I remember...it was just yesterday when Iwould go with Esty to do the hospital visitations in Albany, or when she would come over to learn with us andteach us a sicha, and bring some Beis Rivka inspiration to us.

She was so real, always trying to be the best person possible, in a very quiet and tznius way. She had no "air" toher, very humble and aidle. She never talked about herself like most girls do.

How could Hashem have done this? She has a bunch of little kids and a newborn baby that needs her, and how isMendel going to run the school without her!? I don't understand Hashem at all, but we must daven ever so hardfor Moshiach! Ad Mosai!!!!!

Miriam Rav-Noy (Stempel)

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Esty’s Face

At that moment Sarah walked by and told me. Tears were just running down my face. But then I began the shiur. Iwas teaching about the Gate of Love from the book “Orchos Tzaddikim”. Was this subject coincidence?

I met Esty only once, I think, it was Sukkot. All that I remember is her sweet face, radiating such unbelievablelove. When I was teaching about love today, Esty’s face, reflecting her pure soul, was all the time in front me. Shewas with us right here.

All our love to you,Hasia and Gershom

Esty

It's crazy how you can go so long without seeing someone, but still have such a clear memory of them and such astrong feeling towards them. I can clearly see Esty's beautiful soft smile and hear her sweet voice.

Even though my memories of her are back from when she was in Maimonides or when she was my counselor atcamp, I am sure the person she turned into was even more sweet, beautiful, deep, kind and strong person than Iremember her to be. She was the kind of person no one could say anything bad about; the kind of person peopleonly had praise for.

I am so sorry your family is experiencing this unspeakable tragedy. My heart and thoughts are with you and yourfamily.

HaMakom Yinachme Eschem B’Toch shar Aveilei Tzion V’Yerushalayim.

Sincerely,Sara (Stark) Kalker

"My" Esty

The loss is beyond words. I grew up next to the Rubins in Albany, and babysat for them for years and years. Iknew them from when their oldest boy Mendel was two. I saw Esty as an infant, as a toddler, a child, a youth...theRubins were my second family, better than blood to me. Esty was the sweetest child, the loveliest girl, so beautifuland so special inside and out. Gentle and sweet.

The loss is unthinkable. I have not seen her in years but I cannot stop crying. She was dear to so many, and grewup into such a wonderful woman. She did so much with her life. The whole Rubin family has been a source ofsuch inspiration and love over the decades, and their children carried their legacy around the world. Love to theRubins, and the Cohens, and may Esty's memory stay alive in all of us.Leslie

I remember the speech Esty gave at a kinus many years ago when she was just a young girl. She was so articulate,yet soft spoken... such eidelkeit combined with inner strength. Her words, and the way she spoke were so moving,that I remember it as if it was last year.May the Aibishter comfort all the family...Moshiach zol shoin kumen..With love,Leah Namdar,Sweden

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Dear Rabbi Rubin and Rochel:Words cannot express the deep sense of loss we are experiencing regarding Esty. We both felt that she was per-fectly named--regal like Queen Esther, and at the same time Aidel, refined and unassuming as one of her royalbearing. May she be malitz yosher for Clal Yisroel, continuing her important work in the Heavenly Sphere, andmay you both "kleib nachas" from Esty's dear children. May they help heal your wounded hearts .- Your friends always, Dina and Sandy

I'm so sorry to hearing the sad news.I kept hoping(like everyone else)that her situation would improve and so Iwas so shocked when I read the latest report.I really hope Moshiach will come already to relieve us all from somuch suffering!May we all only see simcha's!!! My thoughts are with you all in the warmest way. - Sincerely,Janessa(Belsky)Illfeld

Dear Rabbi Rubin and Rochel,I would like to express my heart felt condolences for the loss of your dear sweet Esty. I remember Esty fondly from Albany, she left an indelible impression of aidelkeit, that was so endearing. Thus,upon hearing of her health struggle I felt the urge to daven for her.May you both be of comfort to each other as I know you will be. You are an amazing couple that way. Mythoughts and prayers are with you both. May you both be comforted among the mourners of Tzion.Ruth Seliger

To all of the Rubin family-Our hearts are broken for all of you. I struggle for words of comfort for you and Rochel and all the kids. But thistragedy is too, too big. I can still see Esty in the bakery when she walked over to Madison with some others andsaid "I'm Esty Rubin!" She was so bright and engaging. I think I sent her home that day with tons of cookies.

If I could lift this sorrow from your family and your hearts I would do it in a second. My whole family--Joe,Jenny and the rest of my kids especially,-- my mother, sisters and brothers, everyone is feeling your pain.Knowthat we are praying for you--may Hashem give all of you the courage to face the days ahead and to know Esty'sname is already a blessing.With love for all of you-- Deb Riitano

Dearest Rabbi Rubin & Rochel,It's with profound sadness I send my sincerest condolences at this time of sorrow. It's at times like this we do notunderstand Hashem's plan for us. Why would He take a young, vibrant, intelligent & caring mother, wife, daugh-ter & sister & grand-daughter from her loving family. No mother & father should suffer such an aching loss.

As I remember Esty, she was never without a big smile. As a young girl, I remember her as a little quiet andsometimes a bit shy around the public, But as I got to know her better, she was always friendly, laughing &happy. Her siblings always looked up to her & respected the choices she made. You, as parents, gave her all thetools she needed to make her way with her new husband in Australia, so far away from her family. But she was apioneer carving out her own path, making her own history & difficult choices ahead.

I'm not so good at saying the proper words at this time. My words are sincere but they never really can ease thedeep, deep pain that is raw & burning. I can only say that Esty's memory will be an inspiration for all the moth-ers & daughters & students who knew her. Esty has left a legacy of good works, 6 beautiful children, a husband& family who will keep her memory alive. May we have only simchas ahead.

Baruch Dayan Ha'Emet With my love to you,Nina Israel

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Dear Rabbi and Rochel,Our thoughts, heart, and support are with you and your family..Come home safe and with strength from the goodmemories that you have of your wonderful daughter.Nanette and Artie

Dear Rabbi & Mrs. Rubin,Please accept our sympathy. Baruch Dayan Emes. We are very sorry. We are both Holocaust survivors. Your lossis our loss and your pain hurts us the same way. In spite of it, we have to overcome the sadness, look into thefuture and become even stronger. Hashem bless you.With much love, Noemi & Tibor Spitz

Dear Rabbi Rubin and Rochel,Please accept our deepest and heartfelt sympathy on the loss of Esty. I remember spending lots of time in yourhome... when Esty was a baby and a young girl. Esty's calm demeanor and refined character.... will always standout in my mind. I always sensed your pride and joy whenever you spoke of her and her family. May her memorybe a blessing to you, her husband and children, your entire family and Klal Yisrael. May Hashem comfort youamongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.-Amy and Ron Sohn

We were all praying and hoping for Esty's recovery. We are so saddened to hear of her passing. We appreciatedhearing about her struggle and successes as she fought her way through her illness. You are an amazing family.I am glad you have each other at this sorrowful time.-Love, Tina Lieberman-Cohen and family

Dear Rabbi and Mrs. Rubin: I don't know where to begin to tell you how heavy my heart is tonight. What can one say to comfort a parent wholoses a child. I pray for your strength at this very sad time. Laura and I send you our love and thoughts of sympa-thy. Our condolences to you and to the entire Rubin and Cohen families......May you be comforted among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.......Ed Jacobs

Dear Rabbi Rubin, Morah Rochel and Mushky,We were so terribly saddened and shocked to hear the awful news. Our hearts ache for your terrible loss. We knowthat there are no words of comfort to offer now, except to say that she had the most wonderful parents and familywho did everything they could for her. May Hashem give you strength. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.We have you in our thoughts and tefillos.-Love, Beth and Lew

Dear Rabbi and Rebbetzin Rubin,Esther and I remember fondly your lovely daughter Esther Aidel. We have known her since birth, or so it seems.Our hearts go out to you in this dificult time. We know it is not easy to sit shiva for a child, especially one as love-ly as Esty. Please accept our greatest condolences on her passing.-Esther and Yoni Abrams

Dear Rabbi and Mrs. Rubin, I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing of yourdaughter, Esty. While I know that no words are adequate to address your loss, please know that we are thinkingof you and praying for you at this most difficult time. May Hashem comfort you amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem . -Rod Margolis

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I was a classmate of Esti's throughout Beis Rivka high school. Esti was very special, a true Bas Chabad and soeidel - like her middle name. The whole class is in shock and pain hearing of this terrible tragedy. -Brocha Leah Greenberg

Dear Rabbi and Rochel,I returned to Albany last night and was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Esty. I just returned from theShiva at your home. Rivky and Simmy are already on their way to Manchester.Mendel, Yossi and Abba were sit-ting on the sofa in the living room. A large box marked Esty was on the floor to their left. Mendel was readingfrom one of Esty's journals. It was so heartwarming and touching to hear her thoughts. She was always such agood listener, always taking in everything around her. I always knew that about her. Even though she didn'tengage in long conversation, she saw it all. I didn't realize that she kept a journal. What a treasure for you, herbrothers and sisters but most of all for her children. Hope, Sarah, Phil Chandler, Jim Clevenson, Rabbi Silton andFaye and I listened with open hearts, laughing and crying...admiring the vivid descriptions and the humor and thedepth of it all. It's hard to come to terms with the ups and downs of the last month. I am so sorry for your lossand the pain you are suffering. May Hashem comfort you with mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim.-With Love, Debbie

Dear Rabbi and Mrs. Rubin,Micki and I wish to express our sincere sympathy for the loss of your daughter Esty. We cannot imagine the painyou must feel. We pray that your family will find comfort in the memory of all the good that she has done. With sincere sympathy,- Norman and Micki

Hi, this is Sharon Jacobowitz, who used to be Sharon Feinberg. I heard about Estee and wanted to tell you howdeeply sorrowed I am. I remember Estee so well, and I haven’t seen her in over 20 years. I never knew herwell, but the little I did know she was soft spoken, and wouldn’t, or I should say couldn’t, hurt anyone. A gentlesoul. I feel deeply for your loss, and the horrific pain you are suffering.-HaMakom Yenachem Eschem BetochShaar Aveiley Tzion VeYerushalayim.Sharon Jacobowitz

.....Esty was 11 when Faith and I graduated from Albany, but she was special like the whole Rubin mishpacha.They all had the gift of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world whenever youwalked into their home. I reflect on how precious life is and how much we just need to get back to basics ofdoing acts of chesed/kindness for others , praying for everyone's well being and giving charity to those in needespecially in this economy. May you all be blessed with health, happiness, peace and a livelihood. May we allhelp her neshama have an aliyah and may the family be comforted and given the strength to deal with such atragic loss.........We have come to realize that HaKodesh Baruch Hu is truly the Ribbono Shel Olam and we need to build ouremunah and bitachon daily. Your family helped instill that in us whether it was a Shabbos meal, a shiur, allowingme personally to attend a Torah class in the day school or your family davening (or kids running around quietly,but joyfully :-) in the shteeble...you live with complete emunah and you need to continue to live that way. MayH" comfort you and grant your whole family the strength to deal with this tragic loss. Hopefully the words abovebring some comfort if even a mashehu.....-Scott & Faith Moscowitz

Dearest Rabbi Rubin and Rochel and your beautiful family and extended family,What words can we say? Esty like all of you—the essence of sweetness, strength, and Kedushah. We love you all. We have learned that one who teaches a word of Torah or even a letter of Torah, or who teach-es by example another Jew is considered as that Jew’s parent. We feel this way about you. We feel as familyand we mourn. We want so much to comfort. Sometimes fewer words are better. May Hashem bring comfort.Etti Silverstein (and Steve and Nettie Gerber, Shoshanna, Michael, Daniel, Ari, Yael, Sara and Elana)

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As a classmate of Esty's A"h I just want to extend a Hamokom Yenachem Eschem B'soch Sha'ar Aveiley TzionV'Yerushalayim to her family and children. Esty's name truly depicted who she was and her sincere smile andtemimus will be remembered. May the Aibershter send you amongst all of Klal Yisroel the true Nechoma ofMoshiach NOWDevorie (Klein) Schmerling Far Rockaway, NY

We were very saddened by the news, and hope you can find nechama.I have very fond memories of Esty from her days as my student in Bais Rivka.Hamokem yenachem eschem besoch shaar evlei tzion v'yerushalyim. Shaya and Goldie Gansbourg

Words fail to express what the heart feels at this time.That The One Above knows what He is doing and is running the world is a righteous way, that we know. It is onlyour fleishedikeh eyes, which are limited (perhaps by our tears) don’t see the Wisdom. Perhaps we can talk, in thefuture. May you know only simcha in the future, until we ever so soon, share the Ultimate simcha together.-Chaya Teldon

Dear Rochel,I’ve been thinking about you and your family all during these weeks, along with the countless others all over theworld. My husband and I wanted to jump on a plane and fly to Manchester, to just to be there with you, but it was-n’t possible. But we did go to Albany, and I don’t have the words to tell you how special your children are. To seehow aidel they are, and the dignity with which they held themselves, was overwhelming. We came with our sonYossi, and when we arrived Mendel had just gone to the Shabbos House. The others were talking about Esty insuch a sweet, quiet way, reading some of her writings. Devorah Leah was holding her little one, and was sayinghow glad they were to finally see a picture of Esty’s baby. Your daughters-in-law were busy talking care of the baal-abatishkeit. I don’t know how to say this better – it was just so staggering to see kids (yeah, in their 20’s and 30’s– kids) acting with more presence and maturity than most adults. And that they were doing this without the“grownups” around….When we came to the Shabbos House Mendel was sitting at the center of a sort of semi cir-cle, speaking softly, shockling slightly as he talked, with a gentle smile to those listening, hanging on everyword….The Aibishter should give only happy and healthy challenges on which to expend the incredible koichosthat were obvious even on a short visit. Someone wrote to us during Shiva, r’l, that he understands why Chazalmade a formula for what to say in these circumstances. Because otherwise, how would one ever know what to say?And he wrote out “haMakom”, and signed his name...Beyedidus, Vivi Deren (or from Bais Rivkah days – Shifra)

Dear tante Rochel & Uncle Yisroel,I am unable to find any words of comfort for this tremendous tragedy. I wanted to let you know that you haveour greatest sympathy, and we are truly saddened by this loss. Esty was more than just a wonderful person; shewas always so kind, considerate and sensitive to everyone she met. In Albany, we were able to learn so muchmore about her beautiful personality and her impact on others. I was moved to tears when reading her diary andgetting insight on her outlook on life, Shlichus, love and family. When I think of her, I always hear her sweet lit-tle giggle.Hamakom yenachem etchem b'toch she'ar aveilei tzion v'yerushalayim. With our deepest sympathy, Sholom & Kayla Kramer

To Uncle Yisroel & Rochel and Rabbi (Mendel) Cohen SheyechyuJust sharing some osiyos hamachashva...Esty -She was a hidden from the eye(center of attention) - that was Aidel.....even though I was older than her, I looked up to her, she knew so much about life and still stuck by the rules. Iwas like a ben kfar coming to a ben krach, I couldn't wait until the summers came to spend it with her in Albany,we had so much fun together.

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Even in her reservedness in this confused world , she knew right and wrong she had standards, she knew whatshe wanted in life and went for it. . I remember vividly her shining at her Bas Mitzvah when giving the Shabbosshiur. Then,there was at the kinus walking into to Oholei Torah packed with women, to Esty's clear words of'life's not a bowl of cherries' and crying. I could not understand where she got the strength of character to goagainst her grain and do all this, definitely from the koach hamishalaiach. Then we were so happy when youjoined us in Australia, Mrs Jadwab mentioned how Esti would go every day to tutor Moshele so his day wouldbe al taharas hakodesh.May the Aibeshter give you strength and comfort, and may you know of only simchos. Your tragedy is felt by usall...May there be hokitzu veranenu shoichnei uhfor with Moshiach now. Sossie Rivkah Kievman

Dear Mendel,Thanks for keeping me posted, it makes it easier to carry the pain. Thinking about Esty there we several nekudasthat come to mind (that may be relevant to hachlotos), her complete dedication and love to the family, (myself,the children and the wider family) she lived and breathed the family. She was always there for me. She washappy with what she had not matter how little it was. She gave the children and myself a feeling of content.Never wanted to spend beyond our means but allowed me to give up everything for the shlichus and careddeeply for everyone in the community. In thinking about what hachlotos to make for Esty perhaps something likespending another 5 minutes a day of quality time with spouse / children in her memory. To become 'a closerfriend' to our loved ones, (saying good morning / night, asking how was your day etc.) And putting the family asthe highest shlichus / priority. - Mendel Cohen

When I picture Esty I do seeA smiling mother embracing her child on her kneeSo too weOur children need to beour first priority.Once while I went shopping on the streetEsty I did meetWe stopped and had a little chatabout the shopping that we were out to getwith a shine in her eyesshe took me by surpriseThat she does fresh shopping every dayto serve her husband in the best wayA fresh cooked meal for lunch she would prepareFor her and her husband to shareShe had it all rightwho was first in her life.we too can learn and gleanwhat sholom bayis to us should meanHer action spoke louder than wordsLet's do more mitzvos for her zechusSince every single actcan help bring Moshiach at last- a cousin

Tears are streaming down my cheeks as I sit down to reflect on Esty's life, impact, and the family left with theempty place of a queen isn't here anymore, and whose place can never be filled.

Esty, as I read your diary, a diary that we shouldn't be reading until 87 years from now, with many more entries;those of your son's Upsherin, Bar/Bas Mitzvah's, watching your daughters and sons grow up, dealing withShidduchim,becoming a grandmother...I find myself seeing the world for the first time through your aidel, beau-tiful, positive, caring, and gracious eyes.

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Although you are one of my older cousins, I got to know that you never wanted respect, attention, or admiration.But, as you said in your speech at the Kinus, you felt the responsibility to be a role model from a young age, andat 33 years old, you left us all irrevocably inspired by who you were during your painfully short time with us. Being that its just past Rachel Imenu's Yortzeit, I'm thinking of how you'll continue to watch over your children.Devorah Leah told me of how much you spoke to your children about your siblings, making sure the physicaldistance didn't keep them from being close to their aunts and uncles. Now, we will all have to do the same foryou, continuing to help them stay close to you, speaking about you, and continuing to give your love to them.

Zaidy Rubin A"H imparted his children, Yisroel, Rachel, my mother, Sara'le, and grandchildren with the feelingthat we're one small family unit. Tanta Rachel, Uncle Yisroel, Mendel, and dear cousins, I know I speak for allmy aunts, uncles and cousins, when I say that we're broken and shattered by your pain, and you are always in ourhearts and our thoughts.

Rachel Federman (Chanowitz)

My favorite memory of Esty was her Bas Mitzvah. We were all so excited, our first Bas Mitzvah in Albany,since Esty was the oldest girl in the school at the time. Esty was the first Bas Mitzvah girl who gave thewomen's shiur in the summer on Shabbos day. It was usually given by her mother, Rochel, or other women.Even though she was always so quiet, Esty presented a beautiful shiur on the parsha! She had such poise andspoke so beautifully. My girls were 8 and 6 then, and I was so happy that they had Esty as a role model.

Esty was indeed aidel, tznius, and always smiling! I still smile when I remember her sweet laugh. AlthoughEsty didn't come to Albany much since she got married, we always were so thrilled to see her at family weddingswith her very sweet children and her wonderful husband, Mendel.

We will all miss her very much, but the most beautiful memories of Esty are kept alive by her exquisite writingsthat we are privileged to read. What a gift for her children, and for us!

Shayna Kudan

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Dear Esty,I miss you so much.

I could never have imagined that this could happen,that my sister,oneso unique and fine in her modesty,so content,so real in her happiness for others,careful in doing mitzvos, big and small,so accepting and non-judgmental,so steadfast and secure in her beliefswould now be far away.

It is so rare nowadaysin this world of falsenessto have a person so modest, so pureuntouched by anything wrong or improperand yet who lived with values so sure,above the rest.

You were so proud of Mendeland thought the world of himwhat a special couple for us to see growing upand your childrenhow you loved themthe many gifts you gave them will keep them strong.

You were proud of the things your siblings have doneyou never needed to toot your own hornyou never expected anyone to hold by your standardsor to owe anything to you

I can truly say you lived a life that is dear by G-dthough in my eyes are tearsyou were a beloved daughter,wife and motherfriend and sistergranddaughterin these too short years

I thought you'd always be thereyour strong and soft selfso it never seemed a rush to call or write or flynow I would a thousand timesbut you're so far away.

So with love and stabbing paintaking sides of my heartand memoriesof my beautiful older sisterof whom I cannot partwho taught us so many songswas a great listener for mewhose values were real, not materialitywho laughed and caredand surely brought this world to a better place,I ask you to bring Moshiach,I have never wished for it so much

You need to be backso many important things you've left behindwe all agreea mother should bewith her familynot somewhere far away

There is a big hole that used to be wholein the hearts of manyand I know you are watching your husband and childrenthose beautiful people who had youand until the day you're back againa piece of you will be in them

I cannot stop missing you and I am going to do all Ican to bring you back again.

Love, Devora Leah

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Reflected in her name “Aidel,” Esty was a genuine, refined, modest woman with anaristocratic spirit, and a most dedicated wife and loving mother.

RememberingEsty.blogspot.com

May we be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem with the coming of Moshiach soon!

The Rubin and Cohen families

We apologize for any inadvertent omissions. Each and every condolence letter, call and visit was very appreciated by the family during this difficult time.