The friend

Craisins. I've made jokes about them and I first had them in Zlata's broccoli
salad 9 or 10 years ago. The table was filled with guests of ages ranging from
2-70. Zlata made you feel as if you were the most important guest and at the
same time a family member. For real. To make her laugh was a huge treat for
Akiva and I. I forfeited our interest in being seen as Baal Tshuvah's who could
pass for ffb's but that was long ago, and frankly Akiva never cared. To see that
beautiful lipsticked mouth smile and then laugh and the shoulders shake was a
huge delight beyond the desserts and the deep brochos given to us by Moshe after
our wedding for long life , many kids, and grandfatherly wishes from a 3 year
old.Zlata got a kick out of her assistant shluchim who were in her family .
Akiva once walked 11 miles with Rabbi G. back from the Bethesda shul and we ate
and then ate again at midnight.

When Zlata was 40 she told me she was too tired fro a new shlichus but "Benny
wants it.' Too tired? I had the same experience in the basement of the first
shul in Bethesda- elegant, fun, a ton of work by the family and warmth and more
warmth which could cure and inspire and force goodness without a iota of
agression ever. Zlata made you feel as loved as a four year old, respected as an
expert on what you were conversing with her about, and humble. A female Aaron ha
Kohein?  A woman of such goodness and chassishidhkeit, I always wanted to be
better and do more after time with her. She had no "projects' she had human
friends who became her family.

Walking around Trader Joe's kvelling over the new shul after Aidie's engagement
was to see a queen in a market. Here's the deal. She was a queen who could
sweep. Accessible and royal and sweet and adorable and immensely cute.

When we saw Mendy in Florida, we couldn't wait to call Zlata and give her nachas
right away; she adored hearing of her children's successes in reaching others.

There is a family in L.A. of 10 kids; none liked school except for the youngest
who had Aidy as her teacher. This thrilled Zlata.

Today I sponsored "One Minute of Torah" in her memory as I did the first week of
shiva. Money has been given to a food bank twice and a scholarship donation has
been made in her name for next year for a child to get a jewish education. There
will be more.

The day of her passing a doctor who has just gotten a fellowship at John's
Hopkins called to tell me she knew I loved Zlata so she had to call. While a
resident, she often worked in emergency Pediatrics until the wee hours of the
night. Who took her to the mikveh? Zlata.

I keep saying "Zlata" out loud when I want to avoid saying something which will
not bring peace. so far a C-. I'll aim for better.

Broccoli salad, duty before preference, an understanding of pettiness and no
time for it. An available sister even though she had plenty of family. You could
be included. We are included. And your family is loved. So loved.