Keep the Children Jewish

I learned that when a righteous person dies, we can access their greatness and bring it into our beings within the first 30 days (shloshim) after their burial.

Let me tell you about a woman I never met, but feel deeply connected to, who just died in Chicago and was brought by her loved ones to be buried in Israel.

Her name was Sylvia Shabat, but everyone called her “Bubs.” She was born in 1927 and did not have an easy life. She was living in Washington D.C. with four young kids, suddenly a single mother and destitute. She was not observant, but her mother’s dying words were, “Keep the children Jewish.”

So she went to the local rabbi who ran the small yeshiva and told him about her situation. He told her to move her family to the second floor of the building. She hesitated as she didn’t want to be a burden. The rabbi told her if she wanted to, she could do some cleaning in exchange for the apartment. Cleaning turned into cooking turned into basically ran the whole facility.

Being in that environment, she and her children slowly became more connected Jewishly, to the point where the rabbi told her it was time for her and her kids to move to a more vibrant Jewish city, New York, where there were strong Jewish school options for her children. The Talmud teaches, “Change your makom (place), change your mazal (destiny).

And her destiny did change. From a single Mom of four in Washington DC to over 190 descendants, including three great-great-grandchildren born on the day she passed.

Yes, #ItStartsWithWomen. From one courageous and resilient woman, generations of Jews with the last name Shabat connected to Shabbat have come.

No matter what our challenges and circumstances, may we all strive to be that strong matriarch of our families, knowing that our choices impact generations.

And when you light your candles this Friday night, think of Bubs, Sima bat Yisrael. May her memory be for a blessing.