It was April 2020, and the world had just turned upside down.
“What do you mean I can’t come with her?”
18-year-old Rochel Hartman* was standing outside of the ICU, talking to hospital staff wearing full hazmat suits. Rochel’s mother Chana had just been admitted to the ICU with a severe case of COVID and no loved ones were being allowed in.
Shocked, Rochel drove home with tears in her eyes. There wasn’t much time to process: She had to get dinner cooked. Her mother was a widow, and someone needed to feed Rochel’s 6 younger siblings.
When Chana passed away two days later, the Hartman kids were not even allowed to attend the funeral.
This is a painful story to read, and infinitely more painful to live. Rochel, however, has kept a strong, positive attitude. She works as a secretary now and is even engaged to be married. Making the wedding with no parents, however, has not been simple.
Rav Reuven Elbaz has issued a public letter on behalf of a group of orphaned brides & grooms getting married this month. The letter explains that the young people have “no one to help them.” Donors also receive the Rav’s blessing for success. Donations go to “Rochel” and other brides like her, to help them afford the basics needed to get started on their own.
*Details changed to protect the family’s privacy