Simchat Torah Project in Memory of Anya Lisman z''l
To mark Simchat Torah this year, we're dedicating a Torah cover in memory of Anya Lisman z''l, beloved cousin of our member Natalie Lyalin. Anya and her boyfriend, Segev Shushan z''l, were shot and murdered as they fled the Nova music festival.
Here's a candid reflection from Natalie:
Anya Lisman z"l was my baby cousin. She had tremendous blue eyes and a steely disposition - that is, she was unflappable, precise, and thorough. Those qualities are what gave me a lot of hope for her survival on October 7th - I envisioned her hiding in ditch, or in someone's house, or even being taken captive and rolling her eyes at the inconvenience of that. This was a naive thought, given what we know now, but at the time it seemed possible because of who she was.
Anya was learning to cook, she had just moved into her first apartment with her boyfriend, Segev Shushan. They had a cat, and their families were looking forward to celebrating the announcement of their engagement, which felt imminent. I know had Anya lived she would have had a good life. As is, she lived a short life, but one that involved travel, love, excellent friends, and admiration from all that knew her. As I've often said since her death, Anya was the best of us.
Anichka, I love you forever. I hope you knew that in life, and I have a feeling you know that and feel that even more now. Wherever you are in the cosmos, I send you love and I thank you, and I see you in the glimmers.
Rabbi Josh and Natalie are generously sponsoring the dedication of this Torah cover. You're invited and encouraged to donate in Anya's memory below:
Sponsorship Levels:
$540
$360
$180
$72
$36
Other
Anya Lisman z"l was my baby cousin. She had tremendous blue eyes and a steely disposition - that is, she was unflappable, precise, and thorough. Those qualities are what gave me a lot of hope for her survival on October 7th - I envisioned her hiding in ditch, or in someone's house, or even being taken captive and rolling her eyes at the inconvenience of that. This was a naive thought, given what we know now, but at the time it seemed possible because of who she was.
Anya was learning to cook, she had just moved into her first apartment with her boyfriend, Segev Shushan. They had a cat, and their families were looking forward to celebrating the announcement of their engagement, which felt imminent. I know had Anya lived she would have had a good life. As is, she lived a short life, but one that involved travel, love, excellent friends, and admiration from all that knew her. As I've often said since her death, Anya was the best of us.
Anichka, I love you forever. I hope you knew that in life, and I have a feeling you know that and feel that even more now. Wherever you are in the cosmos, I send you love and I thank you, and I see you in the glimmers.
Rabbi Josh and Natalie are generously sponsoring the dedication of this Torah cover. You're invited and encouraged to donate in Anya's memory below:
Sponsorship Levels:
$540
$360
$180
$72
$36
Other
All sponsors will be noted at a dedication on Simchat Torah