Eleven-year-old Rachel Hatfield always enjoyed making others smile and laugh. She understood the importance of community and performing acts of loving kindness. And it is in that spirit that Congregation Mekor Shalom names its biggest fundraiser this year in her memory, the synagogue announced today.
Rachel passed away Nov. 3 after a brave and valiant battle with brain cancer.
The 4th Annual Mekor Shalom Charity Chelm Auction, In Loving Memory of Rachel Lia Hatfield, Presented by Selig Multimedia, Inc., will be held this Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Original Carrollwood Recreation Center, 3515 McFarland Road, Tampa.
Rachel’s grandparents, Mirit and Josef Rabinovitz—who along with Rachel’s parents, Yael and Henry Hatfield, are members of Mekor Shalom—say they wanted to support the synagogue community that has been there for them emotionally and physically.
“We had a chance to realize the meaning of community and Jewish fellowship when we recently lost our granddaughter, Rachel Lia Hatfield, of blessed memory,” says Mrs. Rabinovitz, who splits her time between Tampa and Los Angeles. “Not only were we engulfed with love and caring from fellow congregants, we received spiritual counseling from Hazzan [Jodi Sered-Lever] who walked us through the religious rituals and provided us with comfort and solace.”
Mrs. Rabinovitz says events like the Charity Chelm Auction were important to Rachel because they sustain the Mekor Shalom community.
“Those who knew Rachel knew how much she loved shul [synagogue] and shul life,” says Mrs. Rabinovitz. “Rachel was one of those members who loved attending services and functions… Rachel wanted the shul to be successful and by dedicating this auction in her honor we are continuing her legacy of chesed (Hebrew for acts of loving kindness) and charity.”
Says Mekor Shalom’s spiritual leader, Hazzan Jodi Sered-Lever: “To have this event, which is always filled with friendship, good energy, fun, and laughter, dedicated to Rachel is most fitting, Mekor Shalom was Rachel’s home. She spent so much time at the synagogue in fits of giggles, with a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes.”
The synagogue says the naming this year’s Chelm event in Rachel’s memory is a way to help Rachel’s legacy live on.
“I am blessed to have known Rachel and I am truly honored to be part of the same synagogue as her parents and grandparents,” says Glenn Selig, president of Mekor Shalom. “On behalf of Congregation Mekor Shalom, I cannot thank the family enough for supporting our efforts to engage and rally the Mekor Shalom community and those unaffiliated Jewish families beyond our doors.”
For more information about the 4th Annual Mekor Shalom Charity Chelm Auction, In Loving Memory of Rachel Lia Hatfield, Presented by Selig Multimedia, Inc., please visit https://mekorshalom.org/civicrm/event/info?id=834&reset=1.
For more information about Mekor Shalom in Tampa, please call 813-963-1818 or visit www.mekorshalom.org or on Facebook.
ABOUT CONGREGATION MEKOR SHALOM: Mekor Shalom means Source of Peace. Mekor Shalom is a community where each person matters — your presence, your feelings, and your neshama (your soul). At Mekor Shalom each person is welcomed and celebrated for who they are. Because valuing each person is a core belief, Congregation Mekor Shalom is proud to be the first congregation in Tampa to implement a Voluntary Financial Commitment in lieu of other more commonly used dues structures. At Mekor Shalom, you make a personal decision as to how much you are able to invest in your synagogue.
Imagine a synagogue where people introduce themselves and get to know one another. Imagine a shul where relationships grow and develop. Imagine a synagogue where every person matters. At Mekor Shalom, there’s always room for more people. Because with each new person, there are new connections that form. Here there are no closed circles, only open arms. With Hazzan Jodi Sered-Lever as spiritual leader, this is a sacred community of sacred relationships.
CONTACT:
Jodi Freeman
Congregation Mekor Shalom
Phone: (813) 963-1818
Email:
SOURCE: Congregation Mekor Shalom
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