By COLlive reporter
A warm Melava Malka held this past Motzoei Shabbos at the home of Yossi and Hadassah Chen in Jerusalem, Israel, was part memorial, part celebration and part salute to Chabad’s work with at-risk youth.
Family and friends of the couple came to mark the 8th birthday of their late daughter Nava Ruth, who passed away 5 years ago at only 2 years old, after battling an illness. Keren Nava Ruth is an organization founded in her memory.
Her grandfather, Rabbi Shamryahu Chen, spoke about his efforts with at-risk youth in Israel and how he dedicates his work to the memory of his granddaughter.
The event attracted an English speaking crowd in the Jerusalem area. Yair Sherchi, a noted journalist and TV anchor in Israel, was among the invited guests at the evening which was emotional, reflective and inspiring.
The guest speaker was Rabbi Benny Zippel, Head Shliach of Utah and founder of Project Heart in Salt Lake City which serves at-risk youth. He spoke about his Shlichus and how he got started with the many rehab centers that Utah is famous for.
He told how working with the youth took over all his time and heart, making him one of the most experienced Shluchim who works with teens dealing with addiction over the last 25 years.
Rabbi Zippel associated the initials of the name Nava Ruth, which compose the word “ner”, candle, committing himself to continue his work and enlighten the lives of all the children who need help and support as a candle.
Rabbi Zippel also carried a strong message through the Rebbe’s teachings about how each one of us can become a light and example of life and faith lighting up the world.
The event ended with a delicious buffet and Sheva Brachos for a couple were married a few days earlier by Rabbi Zippel in Israel. The chosson was one of his former students and a youth at risk saved by the Rabbi himself.
For more information on Project Heart or a recording of the evening’s speech, please email rabbi@jewishutah.com. For more information on Keren Nava Ruth email hjm74@hotmail.com
No shliach has done so much good for our troubled youth like reb Benny. He works with teenagers and now young adults too, in the orthodox, chassidish and non frum worlds. Hashem should repay him with arichus yomim v”shonim tovos in good health