If you haven’t already heard, I am saddened to tell you that my husband and founder of Western Wall Prayers drowned in the Mediterranean last week on his 40th birthday. According to the Torah, when a person dies on their birthday, it is a sign that they have completed their work in the world. This Aish.com article about his life gives more details about his greatness. I plan to write much more in the coming months. I plan to continue in his ways. I pledge to do more and to give more to others around me. I am told we have extra siyata dishmaya (heavenly assistance) now to help you. May you be blessed that all of our prayers for you are now answered…
– Batya
I am so saddened to hear this news. Wishing you and your family a long life.
We are very saddened to hear of your recent loss and would like to express our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Dearest Batya,
Even though I don’t know you, as a fellow EYAHT alum, my thoughts have been with you each and every single day since his passing, ztl. May you go from strength to strength. You are never alone.
HaMakom Yenachem Etchem b’toch sh’ar av’lei Tzion v’Yerushalayim.
Dear Batya and family,
Heartfelt condolences on your husband’s petirah. May HaMakom comfort you among the mourners of Tsion and Yerushalayim.
Please know that reading your words this morning gave me much chizuk, and I marvel at the beauty of your stalwart approach. Thank you for showing the world what emunah looks like. Bracha v’hatslach in your every endeavor.
We are heartbroken here, in the Russian community in New York. May you and your children be comforted and protected by your husband’s zechus.
I so relate to what Julie says: we are indeed heartbroken in New York. The legacy of Rabbi Burd is also uniting people, wherever they are. His memory inspires us to do more Kiddush HaShem, to perform acts of Chesed which were the hallmark of his very young life. May Batya be strong now to redouble her efforts on behalf of their children, and to help us with our prayers at the Kotel.
I opened your email this morning, which usually starts with an inspiring story and I was extremely SAD to hear about your tremendous loose. Reading in Aish about your husband just goes to show “Tov Shem Mshemen Tov Vyom Hamavet Myom Ivaldo”. His deeds will always inspire us to try and do more… May HASHEM send you and your children Nechama Mishamim. May you have alot of Nachat from your children and HASHEM will provide you all your needs.
May you and yours be blessed with comfort and have only good health and happiness for now on. My prayers are with you. Love and peace, alice
I have signed up for Prayer requests for a number of years. i have come to have a special feeling of closeness to all involved from Israel …So I must say how utterly & truly have I felt
shocked by news of the recent Loss, especially when you organize the praying that others
should meet and be with their intended …It never makes any sense but I pray that Hashem
will guide you & give you strength. May You be comforted with the mourners of Zion.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I too am a member of the Prayer request family and am saddened at the loss of it’s founder, your husband. I read your letter last week and so it is all the more incomprehensible. May G-d guide your journey.
Batya,
May you be Blessed & guided from above. May the schut of all of yours & Gershon’s good deeds bring a lot of peace into the world. May Western Wall Prayers continue to be a source of brucha and answered prayers to all those who participate!! Your our hero, H’shem will help you every step of the way:)
There are no words to describe just how amazing you all are. People are tripping over themselves trying to give to us, just like all of Am Yisroel threw their jewels at the Beis HaMikdash… Just so they could contribute something. I always wondered if I would have been at that level. The people here are. A big shomer negia hug to you all. I am truly touched. 🙂
So nice to hear from you and the fact that you are so positive during this time! Checking your blog every day now, hoping to hear more!