YWN A Year Since the Petira of Rebitzen Kanievsky A”H

Rebbitzen Batsheva Esther Kanievsky A”H, the wife of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita and daughter of Maran Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv ZATZAL was nifteres on 17 Tishrei 5772, Motzei Shabbos Chol Hamoed Sukkos. Her death left a vacuum as thousands of women wondered what they would do as they had come to rely on the Rebbitzen for assistance – a kind word and a bracha in time of need. The stories of the late rebitzen have been circulating around the world since last year, telling of her selflessness and concern for Am Yisrael and her husband’s learning without interruption, simply put how she never put herself ahead of the needs of her husband shlita, or Am Yisrael. Rav Kanievsky appointed his daughter Rebitzen Leah Koldotzki to fill the void, the rebbitzen of Maggid Meisharim HaGaon Rav Yitzchok, and she is doing just that. Rebitzen Leah is present daily in the Lederman Shul for the vasikin minyan, assuming the post as the ‘mother of thousands’. The rebitzen sees women immediately after vasikin minyan ends. They escort her to Rav Kanievsky’s home where she continues meeting with women. Rebitzen Leah also continues the ‘hafroshos challah’ which her late mother did with women on Thursdays and the ‘yayin siyumim’ of her father Rav Chaim Shlita is in the room as well. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)