Between Love And Sorrow

Local News

Written by Michele Justic

Thursday, 25 February 2010 15:08

Rabbi and Mrs. Chanie Wolowik and family.

We walk a fine line in life. If we delve too much into the world of emotions, we lose control. But if we avoid that world altogether, life doesnâ€™t have much meaning. Lately, this line has been particularly fine for Rabbi and Mrs. Chanie Wolowik, along with their family and friends.

As the yahrzeit of their son, Levi Yitzchak, aâ€™h, drew near, emotions ran high for the community as a whole. Everyone remembers the very sad Shabbos in the Five Towns when Levi, a nine-year-old boy who was loved by all, was suddenly taken from this world. The Wolowiks have continued leading Chabad of the Five Towns in an enthusiastic and caring manner, but the mourning is still visible beneath their smiles.

Memories of Levi as a special boy filled with ahavas Torah and ahavas Yisrael inspired the Wolowiks to create new youth programs as an aliyah for his neshamah. The Torah 4 Levi Learn-a-Thon inspired 717 children from 13 countries and 25 states to learn 32,387 lines of Torah and helped fund the sefer Torah that was completed on Sunday, February 21, Zayin Adarâ€”the anniversary of the birth and passing of Moshe Rabbeinu.

My daughter aptly described Sundayâ€™s festivities as â€œa sad party.â€ Depending on the person, and the minute, tears and laughter flowed freely. The afternoon began at the home of the Wolowiks in Woodmere, where the final letters were written. Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Leviâ€™s grandfather and chairman of the International Conference of Sheluchim, has spoken many times to crowds large and small. Yet he clearly choked up a few times when it came time to make the berachos on this new Torah and to relay the meaning of the niggun, spiritual song, that Levi sang on his last night in this world.

The enormous crowd, accompanied by festive music, escorted the Torah down Central Avenue, with the help of the Cedarhurst police and fire services to ensure safety. You could easily get caught up in the happy momentâ€”until you spotted someone else crying or thought about how Levi would have loved this moment. The weather also had a certain â€œhester asterâ€ aspect to itâ€”beautifully sunny, until a chilly wind reminded you to zip your jacket.

Upon arrival at the Chabad of the Five Towns, Rabbi Kotlarsky recited the appropriate berachos as the Torah went past the older sifrei Torah at Chabad, carried by respected members of the shul. Then, candy bags and certificates were distributed to the children at a beautiful dessert reception, while the men made hakafos around the new Torah.

In the background, information was posted about the plans for the new Levi Yitzchak Library. Quotes from Leviâ€™s journal were also posted. I could practically hear his young voice saying how lucky he was to have won a raffle, how he would give everyone candy if he were a teacher, and how he would be a rabbi at a yeshiva. The library is planned as a place where childhood innocence will be celebrated, despite pressures from the secular world for children to mature before their time.

Children will read and write about wholesome books in a fun environment, participate in group discussions, create their own puppet shows, sit on a mitzvah train, and take part in many other inspiring educational activities. This 5,000-square-foot space, plus a cafÃ©, will be in the heart of Cedarhurst, at 564 Central Avenue (formerly home to Occasions).

As my family and I left the Chabad center, our spirits buoyed by sweets, music, dancing, and the excitement of a new sefer Torah, I couldnâ€™t help but wonder, â€œWhat are the Wolowiks doing tonight?â€ Then, my tears returned. I know this young couple and their family will carry this burden for the rest of their lives: balancing their avodas Hashem bâ€™simcha with the overwhelming feelings of loss when remembering their dear son. May we soon be reunited in the days of Mashiach.