Rosh Chodesh Nissan,Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 11 am,

Press Release: Save the Date Rosh Chodesh Nissan,Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 11 am, for a most inspiring and memorable lecture by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher, the Dean of Diaspora Yeshiva, a lecturer at the OU Israel Center and a columnist for the Jewish Press "Pesach, the Original Middle East Revolution." * * * "Rosh Chodesh Nissan at Beit Bnei Rachel", Rachel Tomb Walled Complex* by Evelyn Haies, founder and president of Rachel's Children Reclamation Foundation, majority owner of Beit Bnei Rachel www.theracheltear.blogspot.com 054-224-2649 .718-648-2610 We just learned from Atara Gur, teaching in Beit Bnei Rachel for over 9 years, that the month of Nissan is connected to the right leg that is Nissan and Passover. The right leg also is Chessed and Loving Kindness. At Beit Bnei Rachel,in Beis Lechem, the House of Bread, we are a vessel to bring down the light of Pesach. We are learning that unleavened bread brings down the level of pride and lets one go into Sivan with two legs including judgement. We know that Rachel Imeinu is remembered over 3600 years because her sister came before herself. Her Chessed and Loving Kindness and bina are a role model for today. I was sitting in the class.with my right leg impaired from shoveling water from a broken pipe for 14 hours the day before, from 2am when a loud gurgle woke me up, not an intruder as it had sounded, but the breaking of the pipe in the foyer outside my bedroom. Was I really suffering another flood after suffering Hurricane Sandy and the destruction of my basement, almost every basement and the first floor of many homes in my neighborhood where Sheepshead Bay rose over six feet, covered cars and threw them as if they were toys, where my washing machine ended up sitting on a chair and all appliances touched by the salt water were ruined plus hundred of books and the RCRF pins stating, *"A visit to Israel without going to Kever Rachel is like going home and not visiting your mother." *So much damage in a few hours and the second surge didn't even come. Right leg, pride, a misunderstood light; Atara's Wednesday 11am classes are always on target, pertinent to the drama of the day. Just as the tehillim I open, just as the living parasha, learning in Beit Bnei Rachel connects one to a higher reality unblinded by the derech of the anti-torah kind. where the false proud are the light and everyone and even reality are in their shadows Remember, Rachel was a simple shepherdess who created an eternal nation with life meriting values, a people unique having chosen God above themselves, having chosen The Revelation at Sinai for their roadmap. After leaving the class, praying in the ohel of Rachel Imeinu I was struck by a modernity unfit for this ancient place so well refurbished. Of course, the historical Montefiore door from the second room remained but was muted between tasteful panels. But there were new entrance doors. Their color was a challenge, May it not be permanent. It is a steel color and its coldness in the narrowed street, more than halved from its original size makes this feel like a jail, not a path to the heartwarning kever of Mother Israel. Everyone misses the kever blue doors. Meeting a family of friends from New York, I know it is the people and not the structure, but why not the structure to be an architecture in tune with the mood. Having been instrumental in the link of getting cars to be able to drive to Kever Rachel, I asked for ride from Kever Rachel to the old city and went to visit David's Tomb. I was struck by the same happening, removal of the old, the antique, the link to what was. Strange, as we unearth our Jewish roots , our facts about and under Eretz Hachodesh, they are modernized. Perhaps artifacts belong in a museum but Eretz Yisrael is full of travelers wishing to visit what was where it was especially if it is still there to connect with their roots and reality, their foothold. Some who would erase us call us not the real Jews;. The whitewash should not sterilize our real Jewish heart and soul. Rosh Chodesh Nissan is a major time for tehillim. Saying tehillim at Kever Rachel, crying in the zkut of Ima Rachel, will surely be heard. Remember, it is Rachel Imeinu who is promised to bring the Redemption. It's time for a revolution to save the revolution at Sinai. Rabbi Efraim Sprecher, the Dean of Diaspora Yeshiva, a lecturer at the OU Israel Center and a columnist for the Jewish Press will be lecturing on "Pesach, the Original Middle East Revolution." His lectures are full of sources, uniquely and cleverly presented and a resource for understanding current events with a guideline of Jewish thought and history. Don't miss this Lunch and Learn event. RSVP to attend, volunteer, sponsor events and simchas.

Beis Lechem, the House of Bread, the Hebrews House of Good Midos

Beis Lechem, the House of Bread, the House of Good Midos Beis Lechem, the House of Bread, the House of Good MidosBy Evelyn Haies,Founder andPresident Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation 1995-2013, Bnei Rachel Inc.Parasha Terumah,5773See www.theracheltear.blogspot.com for events, your bookings, contact information I just returned from the Dead Sea, an oasis of a pleasantness, a vacation from stress, spas in a heavenly landscape guarded by towering mountains, each unique in form and texture where the geraniums were redder than I have ever seen, where the pansies were of the whitest white, yellowest yellow and purplest purple. The sunset was not one painting but painting after painting of turquoise and cantaloupe reflecting off the mountains onto the sea,of rose and pink, of purple and lavender, of lavender gray whiting out onto the sea, fading into night. Stressless, I would have called it a day, but there were night events in Beit Bnei Rachel, the Rachel’s Children majority owned property in Beit Lechem. The first event I viewed as I entered from the rear of the building was on lower ground level. It was where our first Jewish occupants lived, a battalion of IDF, before the walls. It wasa class given by Hadassah. There were about forty women in a circle blessingthe fruits so abundant in Eretz Yisrael, the cakes, the water and kneading the dough. The women were Chareidi, chiloni, Sephardic, Ashkenazie, from Gilo, HarHoma, Bar Ilan, Rehavia, Bayit Vegan, Har Nof. They wore sheitels, teichals, nohead coverings, long skirts, short skirts, pants. They were united in theirprayers, blessing and blessed. It was a Hafrassat Challa ceremony. Upstairs inour Reception Center another 40 women were engaged in blessings and prayers, of kneading dough for challah for Shabbos. There were no me-s and we-s; it was us from the past, in the present, for the future. On the RCRF Sefer Torah dedicatedin memory of my grandmothers, both Rachels in 1998 on the closed undivided street in front ofRachel’s Tomb, it says, “the roots of the past are the foundation of the future.” The women were rooted in the past in the Beis Lechem of Rachel mother of Yosef Hatzaddik and Ruth, grandmother of David Ha Melech. Stressless, it was truly Beis Lechem, a house of bread,of women together, united in their Jewishness, a family of families at peace,different but more the same, the same as in the time of Naomi and Ruth, in theplace where Ima Rachel died on the way to teach her Jewish children the way. It was truly a place for the Jewish Mom, homemaker, daughter filled with ruach and emunah with much to bring home. Stressless, in prayer, preparing for Shabbos, singing,crying and being the way it is meant to be. And it was Parasha Mishpatim, Shekalim, the time of thereadings of the laws of living and giving, of crime and punishment, of good deeds and the building of His Sanctuary. And it will be Parasha Terumah this Rosh Chodesh Adar. TheTorah of the past is the Torah for the present, a living Torah to guide us for a future of goodness. The women act in the ways of the past, Jewish ways with good midos, building good from our good land with good hearts, blessing and blessed, in tune with their identity in the place Beit Lechem, the House of Bread., the house of our roots. The singing and kneading were overwhelming. As they are blessed, may we be blessed. As "they shall take for Me a donation", as they take home their dough, the terumah,their hearts filled with love, having and giving, remember, Rachel’s Tomb is in Beis Lechem, the birthplace of Benyamin in Israel, the name of the place since ancient times, the name of the place connected to Moshiach for good living and life, for Jewish affirmation and actualization of true Torah midos. Upcoming events/ Sunday, February 10. Kumzits, open mike, Tuesday, February 12. Efrat Rosh Chodesh Shiur. Wednesday, February 13 Atar Gur, Rochel Imeinu Scholar. Thursday: February 14 evening Shiur.

A very meaningful and well attended Tu Bshevat Melava Malka Parasha Beshalach at Beit Bnei Rachel

Tu Bshevat Melava Malka Parasha Beshalach at Beit Bnei Rachel, Rachel Tomb Complex Sponsored by Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation 1995-2013 By Evelyn Haies, President and Founder RCRF and Bnei Rachel Inc. Adults and children enjoy a Tu BShevat seuda, the New Year of the trees in Beit Bnei Rachel, the House of Rachel’s Children in Beit Lechem, the town of the House of Bread, the town of the loving Mothers of Israel, Rachel Imeinu, mother of Yosef HaTzaddik and Benyamin and Ruth, ancestor of David HaMelech. Evelyn spoke of the 7rs of Rachel Imeinu more important than the 3 rs for developing the true affirmative Jew In the their holy land willed to the people, us, by Hashem. Roots recognized is what makes for a strong plant and a strong affirmative Jew acknowledging such righteous roots as Rachel and Ruth, both role models for the whole world. Remembering our roots is reaffirming us, the people rooted in the land deeded to them, named for their forefathers in their holy place. Remembering our ancestors, the role models help us rectify our neshamas and raise our level of midos. As we rectify our ways according to the respected ways of the imaot and avot, we choose righteousness. The righteous merit rights. With rights there is responsibility. Rachel Imeinu is remembered 3600 years for sacrifcing for her sister Leah. The self effacement of the righteous means it’s not about me nor we (groups) but us, all the children of Rachel, Klal Yisrael. With strong righteous roots and unity there are the ingredients for Redemption. The New Year of the Trees reflects the road from seeds, essence, fertilization, unity and renewal . We made a Shekayanu on the new fruit and blessed so many species of fruits from the land of Eretz HaChodesh, the land to which we marched on the way from Egypt with cymbals and pride. At the place where Rachel Imeinu was buried “on the way” the adults and children affirmed our way with blessings, learning and inspirational shira. We learned that there are so many individual fruits, some with hard inedible shells like walnuts and almonds, some with hard inedible pits like olives and prunes, some with no shells like strawberries and figs. Many are with tough skins like pomegranates, oranges and apples. Special fruits like the esrog were enjoyed but not a new fruit because they were just blessed on Succos. Rabbi Doctor Shmuel HaCohen emphasized how our attachment to the land, farming and raising sheep, was a validation of our exodus and freedom He appealed for aliyah and more attachment to the life of shepherding, nurturing, developing and protecting. Dov Shurin of radio fame entertained with his songs about Tu BShevat, Beshalach, songs of Rachel and our Charming Nation. As the news extends itself over recent riots denying Mother Rachel and claiming our assets, consider that the adults and children were at peace with themselves, their land and the future of Klal Yisrael. We are rooted, remember, rectify, choose righteousness and merit our rights with responsibility to redeem and be a light unto nations. Remember, we come from Rachel who sacrificed and Yosef who provided for the whole world. It is when we forget, know not Yosef and our great, that uprooting our rootsis attempted. Remember and let us know the Redemption. It is the New Year of the Trees, rebirth and regeneration. It is not about Me and WE ; it is about all of us, unique like each of the fruits we blessed, like each of the tribes, one nation of Hashem to cultivate His ways and His land for eternity. Because of popular demand, we are planning a Supperette with learning and music for February 14 and Purim. Yes, a great Jewish nation came from Beis Lechem, the burial place of Rachel Imeinu mother of Yosef , the birthplace of David HaMelech descendant of Ruth and Boaz.

January and February 2013 classes

Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation 5755-5773 718 648 2610 60 West End Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11235 Evelyn 054-224-2649 Rachel 054-207-6300 www.theracheltear.blogspot.com *************************************************************** EVENTS. MORE and YOUR BOOKINGS for your lectures and YOUR SIMCHAS **************************************************************** *****Sundays ***** 7:30-8:30 Rachel Shurin or Nurit Bank <b>*****Mondays***** 7:30 PM Ophra and Bonog Parsha HaShavua Men and Women 050 822 7496 *****Tuesdays***** Efrat Group 9:30 am. Monthly Rosh Chodesh just hosted Rabbi Moshe Tendler *****Wednesdays weekly****** 11am English Atara Gur Reeception Center front entrance 8pm Hebrew Yaela Elisheva Gabbai "A Woman to Her Sisters" small hall back entrance. 052 332 8742 *****Thursdays Weekly***** 8PM Hebrew Hafrassat Challah with Yehudit Netanieland Nurit Big Hall; 050 764 4866/0548440048 Large Hall Women Hafrassat Challah Monthly small hall with Hadassah Trobelsi 050 738 5070

January 26 2013, Tu Bhevat Melava Malkah at Beit Bnei Rachel

Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation 5755-5773 www.theracheltear.blogspot.com Shabbos, January 26 2013 7PM. ..........Buses will leave the Kings Hotel. RSVP 60nis pp., includes transportation. 70 nis on the bus. singles and couples invited. Details: Evelyn Haies 054-224-2649.......... As we celebrated our first RCRF wedding in Beit Bnei Rachel on January 2, 2013 and I am attending a wedding blessed to be and is by our AMEN ceremony on the eighth night of Chanukah, 5773 in Beit Bnei Rachel which hosted about 80 women, let this be our lucky evening. As Tu BShvat is the New Year of the Trees; let this be a "New Year for our Old Israel" reestablishing the midos of Ima Rachel , buried "on the way" to teach us her self sacrificing ways.that are promised to be rewarded. Let this year bring a better year for current families and let us plant new ones. Join us in the renewal process. Remarks by Evelyn Haies, founder and president of Rachel's Children Reclamation Foundation 1995-2013 and Bnei Rachel Corp, 2001 on "The 7 R's of Rachel Imeinu" Roots, Remembrance, Rectification, Righteousness, Rights, Responsibility, Redemption. Oh yes, and we will hear the DVD recording by Rabbi Benzion Klatzko, the Keynote Speaker and Actualist Awardee at our 18th Annual Commemoration of the Yahrzeit of Rachel Imeinu October 28, 2012, 11 MarCheshvan the evening before Hurricane Sandy on another R "Relationships." Let this New Year of the Trees be a Renewal and redemption for our relationship with Hashem, Eretz HaKodesh, our family and soulmate. Come join us saying yes for all the best including the fruit of Eretz Yisrael. ................................... If you can't come, your donations will actualize our Ima Rachel dreams and the Redemtion promised. Mail donations to RCRF, 60 West End Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11235........... Drop off for RCRF Tu BShevat reservations made payable for expenses to Evelyn Haies Lev Yerushalyim 18 King George St #104. . .

Join RCRF for ongoing and special events at Beit Bnei Rachel....

Rachel's Children events though Chanukah in Beit Bnei Rachel........ Join us for the first candle this Motsei Shabbos. .......................... List of Events September Seudat Amenim with Teveria group Ahavat Yisrael girls school with Rabbanit Rappaport, lecture and activities. Chana Feld and Nachlaot Seminary, lecture on Parshat Hashavua. Bet Shemesh school with teacher Batya Markovitz, lecture and performance by students. Dr. Leah Schmidt, with Ashkalon group. In honor of her late father zatzal. Lecture on her late father's activities in the renewal of the Jewish community of the Ukraine. Included in his accomplishments are the rebuilding of a shul and creation of an educational and cultural center. His work, which his daughter Leah continues, includes archaeological restoration of Jewish holy sites in Ashkalon. Torah lecture and meditative prayer with Sigal Avial with Telstone group. Ahavat Yisrael school revisits with two more classes, with principal Rabbanit Rappaport. Lecture, activity, and birthday celebration for one of the students. Torah lecture with Sharon Malka and Jerusalem/Gush Etzion group. September - Ongoing Monday morning class in Hebrew with Hadassa Trabelsi, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's teaching. Wednesday morning class in English with Atara Gur on Rachel Imenu. Wednesday evening class for women in Hebrew with music by singer Yaela Elisheva Gabbai on Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's teachings Monthly Tuesday morning Efrat group - closest Tuesday to Rosh Chodesh. October Bat mitzva celebration of Ella Hanzan. Mazal Tov and thank you for your donation of eight tables to Bet Bnei Rachel. Seudat Amenim Rishon Lezion group. Hafrashat Challa with Hadassa Trebelsi Visit of students of the Hebrew Midrasha of Bat Ayin, with Rabbanit Batya Cohen, for Torah class and music. Seudat Amenim with group from Jerusalem. October - Ongoing Sunday Evenings, the group - Habanot and Ophra, Parshat Hashavua in Hebrew. Monday Evenings, Hadassah Trebelsi. This is her new scheduled time. She now combines Torah lecture and Hafrashat Challa. Wednesday mornings, Atara Gur class on Rachel Imenu. Wednesday evening,Yaela Elisheva Gabbai's class - "A Woman to her Sisters". Class combines music and Torah lecture on Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's teachings. Monthly Efrat group, Tuesday morning closest to Rosh Chodesh. November Seudat Amenim, group from Bet Shemesh. Ahavat Yisrael school, two classes with their principal, Rivka Rappaport. Hafrashat Challa x 40 , a powerful number of Kedusha with Haddasa Trebelsi. Special Tefila group during operation Amud Annan (Pillar of Defense), women gathered for Tefila at Kever Rachel. A group of seventeen women joined together at B.B.R., We each gave a short davar Torah and then danced to break the bad decree and turn it to good and peace. November - Ongoing Sundays 7:30 pm, Habanot and Ophra - Parshat Hashavua Class Wednesdays 11:00 am, Atara Gur - class on Rachel Imenu Wednesdays 8:00 pm, Yaela Elisheva Gabbai - "A Woman to her Sisters," evening of Torah and music for women December - Chanukah Schedule: Motzei Shabbat, Dec. 8th. 1st candle, 7:00 pm: Hafrashat Challah x 40 - Special Chanukah Event with Yehudit Netanel....... ********************************************** Sunday, Dec. 9th, 2nd candle, 7:30 pm: Chanukah Concert and Kumzitz - bring your instruments! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tuesday, Dec. 11th, 4th candle, 8:00 pm: Film and discussion with guest speakers ******************* Motzei Shabbat, Dec. 15th. 8th candle:i 9:00 pm - Group Tfila at Kever Rachel 9:30 pm - class on Breslov Chassidut and Chanukah Party at Bet Bnei Rachel List of Events September Seudat Amenim with Teveria group Ahavat Yisrael girls school with Rabbanit Rappaport, lecture and activities. Chana Feld and Nachlaot Seminary, lecture on Parshat Hashavua. Bet Shemesh school with teacher Batya Markovitz, lecture and performance by students. Dr. Leah Schmidt, with Ashkalon group. In honor of her late father zatzal. Lecture on her late father's activities in the renewal of the Jewish community of the Ukraine. Included in his accomplishments are the rebuilding of a shul and creation of an educational and cultural center. His work, which his daughter Leah continues, includes archaeological restoration of Jewish holy sites in Ashkalon. Torah lecture and meditative prayer with Sigal Avial with Telstone group. Ahavat Yisrael school revisits with two more classes, with principal Rabbanit Rappaport. Lecture, activity, and birthday celebration for one of the students. Torah lecture with Sharon Malka and Jerusalem/Gush Etzion group. September - Ongoing Monday morning class in Hebrew with Hadassa Trabelsi, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's teaching. Wednesday morning class in English with Atara Gur on Rachel Imenu. Wednesday evening class for women in Hebrew with music by singer Yaela Elisheva Gabbai on Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's teachings Monthly Tuesday morning Efrat group - closest Tuesday to Rosh Chodesh. October Bat mitzva celebration of Ella Hanzan. Mazal Tov and thank you for your donation of eight tables to Bet Bnei Rachel. Seudat Amenim Rishon Lezion group. Hafrashat Challa with Hadassa Trebelsi Visit of students of the Hebrew Midrasha of Bat Ayin, with Rabbanit Batya Cohen, for Torah class and music. Seudat Amenim with group from Jerusalem. October - Ongoing Sunday Evenings, the group - Habanot and Ophra, Parshat Hashavua in Hebrew. Monday Evenings, Hadassah Trebelsi. This is her new scheduled time. She now combines Torah lecture and Hafrashat Challa. Wednesday mornings, Atara Gur class on Rachel Imenu. Wednesday evening,Yaela Elisheva Gabbai's class - "A Woman to her Sisters". Class combines music and Torah lecture on Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's teachings. Monthly Efrat group, Tuesday morning closest to Rosh Chodesh. November Seudat Amenim, group from Bet Shemesh. Ahavat Yisrael school, two classes with their principal, Rivka Rappaport. Hafrashat Challa x 40 , a powerful number of Kedusha with Haddasa Trebelsi. Special Tefila group during operation Amud Annan (Pillar of Defense), women gathered for Tefila at Kever Rachel. A group of seventeen women joined together at B.B.R., We each gave a short davar Torah and then danced to break the bad decree and turn it to good and peace. November - Ongoing Sundays 7:30 pm, Habanot and Ophra - Parshat Hashavua Class Wednesdays 11:00 am, Atara Gur - class on Rachel Imenu Wednesdays 8:00 pm, Yaela Elisheva Gabbai - "A Woman to her Sisters," evening of Torah and music for women December - Chanukah Schedule: Motzei Shabbat, Dec. 8th. 1st candle, 7:00 pm: Hafrashat Challah x 40 - Special Chanukah Event with Yehudit Netanel Sunday, Dec. 9th, 2nd candle, 7:30 pm: Chanukah Concert and Kumzitz - bring your instruments! Tuesday, Dec. 11th, 4th candle, 8:00 pm: Film and discussion with guest speakers Motzei Shabbat, Dec. 15th. 8th candle:i 9:00 pm - Group Tfila at Kever Rachel 9:30 pm - class on Breslov Chassidut and Chanukah Party at Bet Bnei Rachel December - Ongoing events: Mondays, 7:30 pm: New day and time for Habanot and Ofra Hebrew Parshat Hashavua Class Wednesdays, 11:00 am: Atara Gur on Rachel Imenu (English) Wednesdays, 7:30 pm: (big reception hall) Yehudit Netanel - Hafrashat Challah Wednesdays, 8:00 pm: (small reception hall) Yaela Elisheva Gabbai - "A Woman to her Sisters," evening of Torah and music for women Stay Tuned for post-Chanukah end of December events! :::::::::::::::::::::::DECEMBER ONGOING EVENTS::::::::::::::::::: Mondays, 7:30 pm: New day and time for Habanot and Ofra Hebrew Parshat Hashavua Class Wednesdays, 11:00 am: Atara Gur on Rachel Imenu (English) Wednesdays, 7:30 pm: (big reception hall) Yehudit Netanel - Hafrashat Challah Wednesdays, 8:00 pm: (small reception hall) Yaela Elisheva Gabbai - "A Woman to her Sisters," evening of Torah and music for women Stay Tuned for post-Chanukah end of December events!

Jewish Press Interview with Evelyn Haies, RCRF

Home » InDepth » Interviews » A Place To Call Home By: Sarah Pachter Published Jewish Press Magazine November 9th, 2012 Coming to Kever Rachel one cannot help but recall the traditional domed structure that once stood as a humble memorial to the greatest of women. Unfortunately a fortress like edifice of towering large concrete slabs has now replaced that familiar picture. It was here, at this holy site, that I first met Evelyn Haies, an American mother, grandmother, and globetrotter. Evelyn spends the better part of each year in Israel working to improve the site. In fact, as soon as we met she invited me to attend a shiur she had arranged in the adjacent previously-owned Arab home. But first I wanted to know more. I wanted to know what possessed an American mother of five, and grandmother, to leave her family in the U.S. to come to Israel and devote so much time to Kever Rachel. In lieu of answering, she beckoned, smiling broadly. I followed her into the adjacent structure (the only other building in the complex) where she pointed to a bullet hole in the glass of the window on the second floor. “Arab sniper fire,” she explains. “I bought this house a number of years ago, in an attempt to increase awareness of the importance of this site, to encourage people to visit, and to learn more about Rachel herself.” She points out the pictures her granddaughter had drawn to hang on the wall. In a large room on the first floor there is a learning session in progress. A group of avreichim are poring over their sefarim. In an entirely separate room a shiur for women is about to take place. “And so what’s a grandmother like you doing here?” I asked, still wondering what it was that first triggered her interest. And Evelyn, who for years has worked as literature teacher and has published a very popular songbook, took the plunge the year the Twins Towers came down. “I was part of a group of women from Brooklyn who were looking for ways to help Klal Yisrael, especially our brethren in Israel. We wanted to prove our connection to the land and to our people. We met monthly and I recall one meeting in which we decided to adopt a sister city. Ariel was on our list, as were other cities. And then I had this sudden drive to adopt Kever Rachel. I took the floor and threw my suggestion out to the ladies. “They loved it and agreed immediately. “The year was 1995 when the die was cast; thus began my personal lifelong connection with RachelImeinu. “So while I had had this brainwave I wasn’t quite sure how to actualize it. Together we decided that the first way to proceed was to raise public awareness of who Rachel actually was, and her relevance today. To do this we wanted people to research all the relevant sources in Tanach. Thus began the Rachel's Children Reclamation Foundation. “We began with the children first, going around to the Jewish girl schools in Brooklyn and advertising a writing competition on the subject of Rachel Imeinu. The best compositions would receive cash prizes. “The contest was a massive hit. My mailbox was jammed with hundreds of stories; the creativity was simple astonishing and the feedback overwhelming. Teachers and principals offered their thanks and the girls themselves appreciated their new awareness and connection to Rachel.” Later that year, Evelyn received an excited phone call from a woman who had decided that in honor of her granddaughter’s bas mitzvah the two of them were going to go to Israel and visit the holy sites, especially Kever Rachel. Evelyn thought that this was a great idea and decided that she too would do the same. “But I wanted to do more and more and I didn’t know what or how. So I bought a lottery ticket,” Evelyn laughs heartily. “And guess what? I won!” Evelyn was the lucky winner of $26,000, which she used to finance the writing of a Sefer Torah for theKever Rachel complex. The day Evelyn approached a sofer and commissioned him to write the Sefer Torah was one of the most exciting ever. And when it was finally completed her excitement knew no bounds. The Sefer Torah merited a double “send off” – one in Brooklyn and another in Israel. The U.S. one was scheduled for a rainy day during the week of Parshas Lech Lecha. Amazingly the rain held off while the dancing and singing crowds escorted the Torah to the shul; the minute it was indoors the rain fell once again. Evelyn’s eyes light up at the memory. “The singing, the dancing, the euphoria, everyone knew this sefer Torah was headed for Israel and the joy was simply contagious.” Evelyn shows me the photographs. You see the smiling crowds and the rav with the Torah and her husband next to him, each picture a memory unto itself. Since that day Evelyn arranges a special dinner each Parshas Lech Lecha in memory of the extra special day in her life. After the event one of the attendees approached Evelyn and told her that he had his own personal connection with Rachel Imeinu: “I come from a family who for seven generations has held the keys to Kever Rachel” he began, a note of pride in his voice. With that he offered to donate to the festivities. He too wanted a share in this wondrous event. [caption id="attachment_87458" align="alignright" width="250"] This image and the one below are of the two houses the Foundation purchased.[/caption] The Hachanasas Sefer Torah at Kever Rachel was no less moving, perhaps even more so. On duty soldiers, rabbanim and politicians all took part in the event. Since that day Evelyn has done all she can to improve Kever Rachel. Many recall the days when getting there was incredibly difficult. There was no organized transportation and so Evelyn petitioned Egged to arrange for regular daily buses. And when the Intifada began and people were afraid to come, it was Evelyn who organized and paid for buses to ferry people to and fro. Evelyn works hard, very hard. “When in Israel, I literally work round the clock ensuring that people continue coming on a regular basis, that they have easy access to the site and that there are regular shiurimtaking place. And even when I get back to the U.S. I don’t stop for a minute. There are funds to raise and arrangement to made, it’s non-stop.” Here Evelyn stops talking and takes a minute to remember Sarah Blaustien from Efrat. Sarah was a regular attendee of the shuirim at Kever Rachel and had become Evelyn’s dear friend. One morning after returning from Kever Rachel and heading back out to go to the Kotel she was shot at by a group of Arabs. She and another female passenger were killed. “Every year on her yahrzeit we learn and say tehillim in her memory. My plan is to, one day, dedicate a room in her memory as well.” I take note for even though I’ve only known Evelyn for a couple of hours I realize that if she sets her mind to doing something, no doubt, that something, is sure to happen. Someday, somehow, in the future there will be a Sarah Blaustein room…of that I am certain. Evelyn is somber “we’d become really close, I still miss her…” But Sarah’s murder hasn’t stopped Evelyn or even slowed her down. She’s gone out of her way to take care of the soldiers on guard, sending them treats as well as Shabbos and Yom Tov meals. In addition she’s organized and paid for numerous brisim and sheva brachos that have taken place at the site. “The real breakthrough took place eleven years ago,” and out comes the photo album, “I was approached and offered the house adjacent to Kever Rachel. It is the one and only other structure in the complex and the Arab who owned it wanted to sell out. “They knew me and they knew that I was an inseparable part of the place. But the price they were asking was $375,000 - a small fortune - and I had no idea how to raise the kind of money. Nevertheless, in my heart of hearts I knew that going ahead with the deal was the right thing to do. I knew that Hashem would take of the details.” And she was right. Evelyn was fortunate enough to witness another miracle (following her lottery windfall). In fact she regularly admits that she sees miracles all the time. “I had bought stock a number of months prior to the offer and it had jumped in value by 1000%. I sold it and divided the money. Some of the money went to my children, the rest towards buying the house. Other factions helped make up the deficit.” Evelyn received the key and went about making improvements - as she had done in all other areas. She had mezuzos affixed, air conditioner units installed and appliances such as a microwave oven and a refrigerator put in. The place soon became a hive of activity. There were shuirim for men, shiurim for women and weekend retreats for yeshiva bachurim. True joy… However, this joy has been very short lived. It is now overshadowed, by the usual…internal strife. Evelyn is saddened. “Instead of focusing my energy on all those who need my help I’m busy with lawyers and legal fees. I know this is just a test…but it hurts…” and I see her lips tremble ever so slightly. Of late there is a debate over who has control of the house. “Thankfully, I have all the documents, and copies of all the checks attesting to the fact that I am the rightful owner of this house. I also discovered that behind my back those contesting my ownership of the house tried to resell it!” They were asking for an astronomical price. Gently sidestepping the issue, the politics, and the arguments I wished her well and expressed the hope that for all our sakes the truth be established quickly and painlessly. Then I asked her about her dream for the future. “I want the house that I bought to be used as a home for all of Klal Yisrael, because after all we are all one people and all connected to Rachel. It should be a place where Jewish history is taught, and Rachel is remembered. And most importantly it should be the building blocks towards bringing thegeula.” Last, but not least, I want to know how her family feels about a wife, mother, and grandmother who had dedicated most of her life to Rachel Imeinu. “My husband, children and grandchildren have been overwhelming supportive. They understand my drive, and this is perhaps the best place to thank them, because without their support I would never have succeeded. And so we say goodbye with a prayer on our lips that G-d finally wipe away Rachel’s tears so that we can all come home…this time for good! Translated by Chavi Ehrentreu