FW: Smouldering Intensity; Quiet Elegance

 

From: Barbara Rome [mailto:opallrome@013.net]
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 2:25 AM
To: 'zlatasimpact.memories@blogger.com'
Subject: Smouldering Intensity; Quiet Elegance

 

By Barbara and Zvi Rome, Herzliya, Israel

 

About 13 years ago, my then-fiance Zvi Rome took me to the first of what would become many Friday evening services, followed by dinner at Zlata and Rabbi G's home in Potomac. Zvi had fallen in love with the couple several years earlier, and was looking forward to introducing me to such a special part of his life. By the way he spoke of them, with such honor and respect, I expected to meet a couple in their sixties, at least. You can imagine my surprise when the baby-faced Rabbi and his gorgeous babe of a rebbitzin received us with parental-type, unconditional affection.

 

Zlata, for me, was compelling; a paradox. Subtle and modest (needless to say), but seductively self-confident. Her endlessly dark blue eyes exuded a smoldering intensity for the life she was living; a life far different from my own. Five fabulous children, a gifted teacher, a home-maker that put Martha Stewart to shame; Zlata was truly a woman of valor. A Type A personality, this smart, multi-tasking, people-savvy lady could have been a corporate executive or a high-powered K St. lobbyist. But Zlata embodied a higher-calling. She radiated with a sense of purpose that 1,000 self-help books and seminars couldn't come close to matching. She overwhelmed with quiet elegance. The ease and enthusiasm with which she tackled any challenge was contagious. She made mitzvoth, acts of chesed and nurturing the family dynamic seem cool and far more worthy than scoring points on the way up the corporate ladder.

 

Zlata gently eased me in – purely through personal example – to the sanctity of Friday "kabalat shabbat" at home, the more around the table the merrier. This from a journalist for whom Friday evenings meant deadline stress, followed by decompressing over dinner out.

 

We were honored to have Zlata and Rabbi G. walk Zvi down the aisle at our wedding, 1 Nissan, 1998, as Zvi's father from Israel could not attend due to illness. They stood with us under the chuppa and Zlata counted for me each of the seven times I encircled my husband-to-be.

 

In the years since, in our frequent visits back to the Washington area, we were privileged to enjoy many Friday evenings with the Gs and their wonderful family. Our young son, Pele – who studies at a national religious school in Israel and accompanies his father to services every Friday night and Shabbat morning -- is testimony to their loving impact on our lives. Pele felt so much at home on those Friday evenings, playing with Moishe and Mendy and being doted on by the girls, who had since blossomed into young ladies.

 

The last time was just about a year ago. Zlata finally had the lovely home and the well-appointed kitchen she so richly deserved. She was full of youth, verve and purpose. And that's how we'll always remember her. Young, gorgeous: and smoldering with a contagious sense of purpose.

 

As hard as it is to write about Zlata in the past tense, and as heartfelt are our condolences to Rabbi G and the entire family, we're sure this incredible young woman is at peace, comfortably situated on the other side of this world's narrow bridge.

 

May her memory always be a blessed inspiration to those of us still traversing the narrow bridge. May her red, impeccably manicured hand continue to guide us virtually on our respective journeys, as I'm sure it will continue to guide ours.

 

 

Barbara Opall-Rome, Israel Bureau Chief

Defense News

 

Office: (972) 9-951-8258

Cell: (972) 54-8040-272

borome@barak.net.il

www.defensenews.com