“I remember that she was so kind and friendly to me -- she introduced herself, asked if we were visiting, and how she could be of help. That small encounter, those few kind words, were what made me feel that Efrat would be the right place for us.”

To make a long story short, the Mays made aliyah to Efrat, and their son Yehoshua eventually took up residence in Jerusalem, in a supported housing program for adults with disabilities run by Seeach Sod.

Among her many other social activities, Naomi May joined a local knitting group called Chicks with Sticks...that Phyllis Goldman also attended, and the two happily reconnected. Tragically, just two years later the connection was cut short when Phyllis passed away suddenly, at the age of 64. She collapsed during morning prayers in the same shul where she and Naomi had first met. 

About a year after Phyllis’ death, her husband approached Channah Koppel, who runs the knitting group, and asked if perhaps the group could use Phyllis’ leftover yarn stash to make something in her memory for a charitable cause. The group was very interested in doing something to memorialize their friend but cast around for a bit in search of a worthy recipient....and then Naomi May mentioned that the young men in her son’s apartment might appreciate a little warmth and color. Group members enthusiastically took up their knitting needles and crochet hooks to create long colorful strips that were sewn together to make 11 cheerful blankets for the young men.

On Tuesday Dec. 7th, Naomi May, Gershon Goldman and Channah Koppel presented the blankets to the young men of Seeach Sod as Chanukah gifts. The young men are not very verbal but the delight on their faces was evident as they each chose a warm, colorful blanket to snuggle in.

Channah Koppel commented, “Phyllis was a very warm, giving and loving person, so this little project that brings warmth and love to the residents of Seeach Sod is a perfect way to memorialize her.”

Naomi May added, “The work they do here is incredible. Due to covid-19, these young men have been in isolation for months, and things are just starting to loosen up enough that we can visit again. Also, they just recently moved to a new apartment -- so this was the perfect time to bring something that would brighten up their lives a bit!”

Gershon Goldman noted that the week’s Torah reading relates that Yakov made a colorful striped garment for his beloved son Yoseph and so it seemed appropriate to be gifting these special young men with colorful striped blankets. He noted also that Phyllis’ yahrzeit is coming up and that the timing couldn’t have been better. May her memory be a blessing.