It was 6:30 a.m. on a Shabbos morning in the winter of 5714
(1954). Outside, the Yerusholayim weather was stormy, with a
howling, biting cold wind and the threat of an imminent
downpour. Under their heavy down quilts, the Porush children
burrowed, savoring the warmth and comfort of their beds. All
was quiet as Abba got ready to go to shul. Suddenly,
one of the children stirred. It was 12-year-old Rivka.
"Shloff, mein kindt," her father told her gently. "It
is cold and stormy outside. You can daven at home this
week — there is no need to get up yet." But Rivka could
not bear the thought of missing out on her Shabbos
davening in shul. Repeatedly, she pleaded with
her father until eventually he relented and allowed her to
come along despite the freezing cold weather.
At age 15, young Rivka would travel to a children's hospital
every Friday afternoon to play music for the young patients
and provide some Shabbos cheer. The children greatly looked
forward to her weekly visits. As Yom Kippur approached, they
pleaded with her to stay with them, since most of the Jewish
staff was to be replaced by non-Jews. Rivka was in a
quandary. How could she miss her precious Yom Kippur
davening?! Yet Rivka could not ignore the sick
children, their souls yearning for some holiness and
spirituality. She asked a rov and was told that the
merit of spending Yom Kippur in the hospital was much greater
than the loftiest of prayers. The matter decided, Rivka spent
nearly the entire holiday taking care of and encouraging the
young patients, leaving very little time for her own
tefilloh. She never regretted that decision.
Who was this extraordinary young girl, and what became of her
later in life? Rivka grew up, and eventually married a
promising young man by the name of Shmuel Ginzburg. Settling
in Bnei Brak, her chief aspiration in life was to be an
exemplary wife and serve her family faithfully. However,
Hashem clearly had an additional mission in life in mind for
her, one which she merited to fulfill in the most
extraordinary fashion, with unwavering faith.
As a young seminary teacher, she became aware of the utter
lack of suitable frameworks for special needs children. At
that time, most of whom were either left at home or sent away
to out-of-town (non-religious) institutions. Rivka heard the
cry of these children and their families. With her steadfast
bitochon and the pleas of desperate parents ringing in
her ears, she opened one of the first chareidi special
education classes in Eretz Yisroel.
She had no outside funding or government recognition. Many
scoffed at her ideas or felt she was foolish to attempt such
an endeavor. Yet, one step at a time, with unflinching
determination and visionary foresight, Rivka forged ahead.
Her belief in the children she educated was unparalleled. She
never tired of relating how a government official, ridiculing
her attempts to teach a disabled child to read, exclaimed,
"Hair will grow on the palm of my hand before he learns to
read." No hairs have yet been sighted, but this child, now an
adult, has been reading for many years.
As word of Rivka's work spread, more and more special needs
children emerged. At last, they too could receive an
education suited to their needs. As additional frameworks
opened, a name was given — Ohel Soroh — in memory
of Rivka's mother. With unfailing devotion and dedication,
Rivka and her staff carried on teaching with little or no
funding, working in crumbling basements, unused Bais Yaakov
classrooms, and even their own homes. Nothing could dissuade
them.
In addition to overcoming tremendous technical and financial
challenges, Rivka spearheaded a revolution in public
thinking, raising awareness of the plight, and the spiritual
beauty, of special children. She was never deterred by
stigmas or concern over what others might say. Rivka broke
through conventional barriers by establishing the first ever
group-living residence for young retarded women in a typical
apartment in the center of Bnei Brak. Initially, neighbors
were highly suspicious and even protected their children from
any contact with the new residents! Soon, however, Shabbos
cakes were regularly exchanged and birthdays and holidays
celebrated together. Today, thanks to Rivka's courage and
determination, public opinion has changed and is becoming
increasingly more tolerant.
Ohel Soroh, with Rivka Ginsburg at the helm, spared no effort
or expense to provide the children with the absolute best in
professional therapists and creative educational techniques.
At the same time, she went to great lengths to maintain the
spiritual aspects of the children's education. Rebbeim were
hired to learn mishnayos with boys who could hardly
talk. Even the most profoundly disabled children had Tehillim
read aloud to them, in addition of course to the daily
davening.
Rivka Ginsburg merited to see Ohel Soroh a thriving network,
with over 170 children and adults enrolled in its schools,
residences, and sheltered workshops throughout Bnei Brak. In
all these accomplishments, her husband, HaRav Shmuel
Ginsburg, zt'l, was a loyal and dedicated partner,
supporting and encouraging his wife's commitment to the
cause.
In a most extraordinary way, Rivka deeply affected the lives
of all she came into contact with. She personally knew each
and every child enrolled in Ohel Soroh, and had a special
touch for each one. Despite the tremendous responsibility she
bore as full-time director, Rivka always had time for anyone
who needed her. Her telephone was never disconnected, and
even when very sick herself, she could frequently be found
listening to distraught parents, soothing them and offering
words of encouragement and advice.
In Rivka's presence, emunah in the imminent
geulah took on a special vibrancy. She carried the
burden of countless others on her shoulders, and had no doubt
that their sufferings were symptoms presaging Moshiach. She
was confident that she would be among the first to greet him,
for the simple reason that the special souls of her students
would be given that privilege and she, as their principal,
would be asked to accompany them.
One year ago, on 2 Tevet 5765, this great person, having
earned the title of the "Sara Schneirer of Special
Education," was called to the Yeshiva Shel Ma'ala. Rivka
Ginsburg had fulfilled her mission on earth. Her life's work
of dedication to special children had been performed purely
lesheim Shomayim. May she merit to witness from her
place in Gan Eden the continued siyata diShmaya of all
her endeavors.
May her memory be blessed.
