The Nechoma Greisman Anthology

Section 9: NECHOMA AS OTHERS SAW HER An outstretched hand in the fog of confusion

Selfless Giving

My husband and I, as well as our kinderlach, are shluchim in far off Cape Town, South Africa. Eleven years ago, however, I was a ba'alas teshuva of only a few short years. I had spent a year in Crown Heights, and was now newly married and living in Kfar Chabad. The two and a half years that we spent there were full and rich in experience. It was soon after we had arrived there that my husband met Shmuel, and became very close to him. I, in turn, became close to Nechoma.

Despite the time and distance that later separated us, Nechoma had become a part of my life and will always remain so. I am unfortunately not a letter writer and so, Nechoma, I never really let you know how much I learned from you...

Nechoma was one of those rare, special people. To know her, was to like her, admire her, and feel liked by her in return. She was so much more accomplished than I, having being raised in a tradition that I was still adapting to, and especially because of her personal qualities, being an outstanding and capable person. Yet never once did I feel inadequate or uncomfortable in her company. She had that unique quality of making a person feel like a life-long friend.

Nechoma enriched my life in so many, many ways, both in practical as well as in spiritual matters. So many times over the years I have had occasion to prepare baby food the way Nechoma taught me. I can still see her clearly showing me how she would boil a quantity of carrots in the Shabbos chicken soup and then mash them and freeze them in small quantities. So many times I have encouraged others in the way she encouraged me when I was expecting my first baby. She gave another friend and myself private "Lamaze" classes when there was nothing like that in the Kfar... So many times I peeled the vegetables on Thursday night to make Friday's Shabbos preparations easier. So many times I recall Nechoma.

Her selfless giving of herself had a ripple effect, reaching the furthest corners of the world.

Nechoma was a whiz at practical time-and-energy-saving tips, and whatever time and energy she saved, she invested in ruchnius, in carrying out the Rebbe Shlita's requests and campaigns with joy, and with a true sense of commitment.

Over the years, I have learned that it does not take an extraordinary person to go on shlichus to a far-off place. All it takes is a willing heart. But to be a shaliach amongst shluchim, you have to be exceptional. At that time the Greismans were living in Kfar Chabad, a wonderful, warm community of people who are all shluchim in the way that all Chassidim of the Rebbe Shlita are. Yet even in that setting Nechoma shone. She embodied what the Rebbe Shlita stands for... Two years ago, we received the album of the international shluchim convention. I eagerly looked for familiar faces amongst the many families of shluchim who had attended the conference. I remember how delighted I was to see Nechoma. There she stood with her lovely family, posed in front of a large, clear picture of the Rebbe Shlita, and another of 770. It seemed so appropriate. Whatever Nechoma did, she was motivated by the Rebbe Shlita and 770.

Nechoma, we have lost a precious treasure. We share in your family's immense sorrow. Our only comfort is your name, Nechoma. We are blessed to have known you. The legacy of who you were and what you stood for is our inheritance. You were a mentor for me. My memory of you continues to be an inspiration and, please G-d, always will be... May your neshoma go from strength to strength in its ascent to its final resting place. Nechoma, you spared no efforts in helping to bring Mashiach Tzidkeinu now. May your memory help to strengthen our efforts too, and in doing so end this dark and bitter golus.