Over the course of the next few days, we will be posting memories of Rochie on this blog. If you have any Rochie "moments" we would greatly appreciate your sharing it with us.
rochiesnetwork@gmail.com
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Thursday morning, 13 Av, 3:00 am, Hashem took back our Rochie, claiming his, and what was most precious to us. Words cannot describe... RochiesNetwork.org was created by Rochie's family and friends to log acts of friendship, chessed and ahavat yisrael performed in her merit. SPECIAL REQUEST: If you have any memories of Rochie you can share with us, please do. We would greatly appreciate your story. rochiesnetwork@gmail.com May her soul be bound in the knot of life.
Projects In Rochies Name
Mommy and Me
Mikveh Chaya Rochel
C.H. Achos Hatmimim Sponsorship
Bais Rivka Shluchos Program; "Personal Connections"
Chabad of Baruch Student Center
Machon Chana Online Learning Program
Bat Mitzvah Club; Toms River NJ
Bnos Chabad Of N. Miami Beach LEC
Mikveh Chaya Rochel
C.H. Achos Hatmimim Sponsorship
Bais Rivka Shluchos Program; "Personal Connections"
Chabad of Baruch Student Center
Machon Chana Online Learning Program
Bat Mitzvah Club; Toms River NJ
Bnos Chabad Of N. Miami Beach LEC
Contact Rochie's family: rochiesnetwork@gmail.com
8 comments:
sonia and myself did not know rockie, but my wife knows rockie's sister in law here in manchester ,england, we feel for the husband and the child.
we wish the husband and child long life.
osher woolfson
I was so shocked and saddened to hear the tragic news. I knew Rochie as a fellow schoolmate, and as such a sweet and pleasant person. May Hashem comfort you "besoch she'ar aveilei Tzion v'Yrushalayim" and "v'hokitzu v'rannenu shochnei ofor, v'hee b'sochom" right now!
Visitors at the shiva shared their stories. Some are recorded and we will IYH post them after reviewing them. One late-night recollection that was not taped:
A friend was visiting the doctor after giving birth, and witnessed the astonishment of all the midwives and nurses as Rochie presented them with home-baked cheesecake! This epitomized Rochie's over-the top thoughtfulness that was the trademark of all her interactions with people.
I met Rochie August 2003 at the Machon Chana in the Mountains program. I was a 50something new baalas teshuva from California, unsure of what to expect. And there was Rochie, bopping around as she did, always with a huge smile on her face. I have been trying to figure how to express what I am thinking – I’m not so good with words. Rochie was Rochie, she was always the same, she didn’t change depending on who she was talking to or spending time with. She was always emes. She made me feel comfortable, she befriended me. One late night she grabbed me to go with her to the kitchen to make the dessert for the next night – we called it Machon Chana’s Blueberry Crumble. It was great, just Rochie and me, giggling, talking, sharing insights of who we were, she told me about the Rebbe, about Moshiach, about what kind of boy she wanted to marry. I remember how much Rochie loved to bake but there was one slight problem – she was allergic to flour. So she would tie a dish towel over her mouth – I told her she looked like she was going to rob a train. And then the program was over and we all exchanged phone numbers and emails, promising to keep in touch. And Rochie did – I remember being on my computer on motzei Shabbos and I got an IM from Rochie, wow was I surprised! Our friendship grew stronger over the years. We talked at least once a week, even if it was just to wish each other good Shabbos or Yom Tov. Rochie was always there for me. She gave me advice, some of it may have been not what I wanted to hear but it was always emes, Rochie didn’t know how to do anything else. She called just to say hello, to say “Hey, how are ya?” I also listened to her. At first I was amazed that she wanted to be my friend. But after a while it was the most natural thing in the world. And, as her brother mentioned, I don’t remember Rochie ever complaining about money. The only time I ever heard her regret not being able to afford something particular was one Purim. Rochie loved to make shaloch manos for her family. She would talk about it for a month or more, what to do this year that was special. Let’s see, this one loved chocolate, this one didn’t/shouldn’t eat sugar…maybe a nice frame with one of the wedding pictures… She put a lot of thought into it to make sure it was just right, that it would be what people wanted. One thing that has not been mentioned is how much she loved her family, and how much kavod she gave her parents. Even after she got married she went to her mother’s house every week to make Shabbos dinner. Anyway, I could go on and on but I’ll stop rambling. I don’t know if these are “Rochie moments” - there isn’t any one big moment or event I can relate, just the consistency of her friendship, of who she is, of how much I appreciate her, how much she means to me, how much I will miss her.
Debbie
Dearest Rochie,
I miss you so much! Your friendship was a rare and special gift.
Since we were neighbors we spent lots of our childhood days together. My first memory goes back to when you slept over at my house for the first time when you were four years old. When I woke up in the morning I was so worried because you weren't there. My father saw the puzzled look on my face and told me that in the middle of the night you got homesick and you went home. You slept over many times after that to make up for it!
When we were old enough to babysit, you came over to help me out when my parents went out one night. After we got the kids to bed you offered to help me make a surprise and clean up the house too! I was amazed! You were always ready to help and do a favor that was way beyond your call of duty!
Being that I'm the oldest in my family and after me I have five brothers before my first sister came around, I tried to help at home and you were always there making it enjoyable.
On Friday night you helped me watch the baby so that my mother could rest and we always made a fresh salad together too.
On Shabbos morning we would go to “Yankel's Shul.” Your mother would call us for Kedusha and we would daven with her. We were so proud to be old enough to help prepare for the Kiddush after davenning. When we got a little older we would go to 770 together too.
On Shabbos afternoon we would often go to my grandparents for lunch and many times you came along with us too. You were just part of the family!
When we got to high school we went on Mivtzoim in Park Slope many times and we went to the old age home on Shabbos. You were a very Chassidishe girl and you were always very Tznius.
You were always there for me even when we were far away from each other physically. When I was in Israel and you were in Montreal we kept in touch and when we saw each other it was as if no time had passed.
When I came back from Seminary we spent a month together in Teen Camp as counselors. The first day of camp was my birthday. Not only did you bake a birthday cake in the camp kitchen but you brought nosh to my campers and helped them make a surprise party.
When I got engaged you came all the way from Montreal for my L’chaim! That meant two sleepless nights in a row on a bus!
When I got married I didn't know how to cook or bake at all. I got my first cookbook as a gift from you. You wrote "If you need help, fry an onion or call." I knew I could always count on you for a good recipe especially on a hectic Friday afternoon!
After my daughter Mushka was born you would often call me when you were shopping and ask me what size she was and you would always buy the cutest outfits and gifts.
You were always optimistic, you always had a smile on your face and you never complained. Your faith was very strong and you always ended every letter or card with prayers for the coming of Moshiach!
Rochie, you were such a devoted daughter, sister, friend to so many people, teacher, wife and mother and your family and friends were so devoted to you when you were in the hospital.
When I came to visit you, your husband Yaakov was standing at your bedside and reading the Chumash portion of the Chitas. He was reading it and explaining it in english, he was learning it with you.
Rochie, I'm constantly thinking of you and I thank you and love you with all my heart.
May Hashem comfort your family, your husband and precious baby by bringing Moshiach now!
My deepest sympathy to Rochie's family, המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים.
A woman that attended our Challa baking class asked me if I could bake Challa for her daughter's Bat-Mitzvah this weekend.
As I was making the Challa I remembered how helpful Rochie was when I gave my first Challa baking class in Toms River.
Rochie gave me a compilation of a few people's notes, plus her own, and a beautiful handout with all the information, illustrations and a variety of Challa recipes that she prepared for the Colorado Springs Jewish Women's Circle.
I've used this handout four times so far and it's always been a hit! If anyone could use this feel free to call me at 732-349-4199.
Chanie Gourarie
Rochie took care of me like an older sister, even though I'm her second cousin... She helped me with tips on how to manage my classroom and even my pimples... For my 11th grade (I think) birthday she asked me what present I want... I could see she was serious so I told her I'll have to think about it... weeks later I saw a watch at sterling that was what I wanted... she paid for it all (it was pretty expensive)!! I still have this watch and I'm 3 years after high school!! That's what I call "Ahavas Yisroel B'Emes"!
Well said.
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