Remembering Leah Miriam z”l

I met Leah Miriam when I was in Sydney. I met her sister Pnina at the Nshei Women’s Convention but didn’t know they were sisters until I came to Los Angeles. They were kind, special and gentle. After I got married I moved to Simcha Monica. Later on Leah Miriam and her Husband also moved to S. Monica to be with their children – so, we met again.

Whenever Leah Miriam came to visit us, if my baby was crying, Leah Miriam would hold her and she would stop crying every time! She had such a gentle and calm personality, which was so comforting to our child. When we went for our morning walk, we would sometimes stop by Leah Miriam’s apartment. After she moved to the Valley, the street seemed void and empty every time we passed by her apartment. She was such a tzadekes and the neighborhood was lacking without her.

In the end, my family moved to the Valley also -- not too far from Leah Miriam’s apartment. We were often invited for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals. I also merited to join her shiur. The first time I ate Mushroom Pie was by Leah Miriam. It was the most delicious! I kept forgetting to ask for her for the recipe. Last Shabbos I made a mushroom pie and thought of her. I hold her gentle voice, elegance and kindness in my heart.

She once said that she grew up in a house where there was no negativity. That must have contributed to why she was so special. She cared about everyone. Whenever I came to the shiur, my young daughter would come with me. Leah Miriam always showed her special attention and love.

One thing she said that really stuck with me was about smart phones. She said smart phones could really disturb people’s lives; you could get up in the middle of the night to check on your phone, at any time. It is better to daven the first thing in the morning before looking at your phone. The way she said it made a big impression on me. B”H, I now start every morning by davening -- before reaching out to my phone.

May her memory be a blessing! May her neshama have an aliya!