The Story Behind ‘See Her’ – Raizel’s Campaign
From a friendship that began at camp to a legacy that will touch generations.
by COLlive Editor · COLliveFrom a friendship that began at camp to a legacy that will touch generations.
Meirah Schwartz arrived at Jewish Girls Retreat knowing no one. Raizel and her twin sister, Shaina, welcomed her and made her feel at home.
Years later, that simple welcome would become part of the story of a kitchen Raizel dreamed of building.
This past summer, videographer Yossi Sherman traveled to the Jewish Girls Retreat in Upstate NY to document stories of Raizel. During the filming, Rabbi Avraham Laber shared the story of Meirah Schwartz, a JGR alumna and childhood friend of Raizel who now lives in Israel. Hearing her story, Charidy arranged for a videographer to interview Meirah and capture her memories.
Meirah recalled arriving at JGR camp not knowing a single person. What struck her most was how humble the sisters were. As the camp directors’ daughters, they knew everyone. Yet they made a girl who knew no one feel like she already belonged.
That welcome became the beginning of a lasting friendship.
Raizel and Shaina later traveled to Irvine for Meirah’s Bat Mitzvah. That weekend also included a mother-daughter event at Chabad to launch Jewish Girls Unite, the global online community for girls. (Jewishgirlsunite.com)
In the tribute video, Meirah remembers how important Raizel made her feel at ten years old and how she aspired to be like the sisters. She reflects on how something so tragic is now being transformed into something so meaningful.
Raizel saw her.
That was Raizel’s gift. She recognized the good in others and made them feel that they mattered.
A Dream That Is Becoming Reality
As kitchen head at JGR, Raizel recognized the growing needs of the campus. She told her parents it was becoming increasingly difficult to prepare 3 meals a day for more than 50 people in a small home kitchen.
She had a vision for what JGR could become, but the facilities had not yet caught up with the growing mission.
“We never imagined that one day this kitchen would be named after her,” Nechama reflects.
Today, Meirah’s parents, Linda and Ory Schwartz, are dedicating Raizel’s Kitchen of Kindness with a generous gift in Raizel’s name.
Micki and Norman Massry are also helping make the project possible. Their daughter Laurie attended the Capital Region Bat Mitzvah Club, directed by Nechama Laber, 26 years ago. Every donation to the campaign is doubled.
Before SEE HER became a campaign, it was the way Raizel lived. She made people feel seen, valued, and loved.
In her honor, we’re building Raizel’s Kitchen of Kindness and expanding the JGR campus, where more women and girls are celebrated, supported, and given the space to GROW.
Mendel Laber, Raizel’s brother, expressed this beautifully on his campaign page:
“I can’t repay my sister Raizel for all the love and care she gave me. I can help make sure her legacy lives on through something that will benefit others.”
Raizel spent her life helping others feel seen. Now, help build her dream and create a legacy that will touch generations.
Donate:
Charidy.com/RaizelsKitchen
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