By Heddy Belman, WLCJ Co-Chair, Environment & Sustainability; Liaison to Mexico; Mentors / Consultants; Torah Fund Cabinet; Membership; Education, Past WLCJ Vice President, Financial Secretary, and Branch / Region President (2004–2006)
From all my readings, the question often asked is: how can a chapter so beautifully written be called Chayyei Sarah–“The Life of Sarah,” and yet start with her death? The answer is simple, according to some as shown this week, that our lives come to an end, but the effect of our lives goes on.
The parashat tells the stories of Abraham’s negotiations to purchase a place for his wife Sarah and then moves on to the mission of his servant to find a special wife for his son Isaac, then finding Rebecca, and the story goes on as we see the special effect of how this story ultimately guarantees the Jewish future.
There are many themes that can be drawn from all that I have read, but what touches my heart the most is the beautiful theme that an extraordinary life of Sarah was lived by highlighting her age of 127, who dealt with both joy and heartbreak, showing her years are described as “all equal for goodness.” Chayyei Sarah, while it begins with her death, focuses on the continuation of the lineage through Isaac and his wife Rebecca, and life continuing through her son and her spiritual ideals fulfilled through him.
“Life goes on,” and my reason, and that of Julia Loeb, our International President, for choosing this special parashat, is to share news and honor the memory of an extraordinary woman whom we lost from the Garden State Region of WLCJ, on October 11, 2024, then Erev Yom Kippur.
So many of us were touched, and will continue to be touched in so many special ways for generations to come, by the life of Ruth Ilse Aach z”l, March 5, 1925–October 11, 2024, of blessed memory.
Ruth was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, and arrived in the United States on February 2, 1938, with her parents Paula and Arthur Salmon and older brothers Alfred and Otto. Ruth graduated from Julia Richman High School and Mt. Sinai School of Nursing in New York City.
Ruth met and married her eternally beloved Hans Aach z”l. Together they had three children, Susan (z”l) (Morty Feldman), David (Debra Libman), and Sharon (Steven Waldman), grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A supportive spouse and partner in the family business, Foremost Caterers, caterers that truly touched many lives with memorable memories and were loved by all.
Ruth was truly a woman of valor, independent and indomitable, modest, hardworking, honest, generous, and forgiving. Family was the most important thing to her. She loved to welcome and serve company in her home and wanted everyone to know that she felt there was nothing that a good piece of chocolate or chocolate cake couldn’t solve!
What Ruth did as an active member of Temple Emanu-El, on the Boards of WLCJ, List College, and the WLCJ Torah Fund Cabinet, and through the involvement and support she gave to JTS and students, giving full scholarships and love in her heart and that of Hans, is a true legacy of love, caring, and commitment.
Ruth volunteered at Englewood Hospital for 40-plus years, well into her 90s, helping those who needed help. For WLCJ and JTS, let’s not forget the decorations of the Adel Ginzburg Sukkah at JTS for years and years, making sure many would be involved and engaged as the holidays were approaching.
Her caring heart and inspiring ways touched so many who were lucky to be with her.
The Garden State Region will be honoring Ruth at our Region Torah Fund on Sunday, November 16, 2025.
So many of us were inspired by her warm heart and love for Judaism. We learned so much from Ruth, now of blessed memory, and her love and caring will be transmitted to others for generations to come, similar to Chayyei Sarah, and life goes on!
Shabbat Shalom,
Heddy Belman
WLCJ Co-Chair, Environment & Sustainability
Liaison to Mexico; Mentors / Consultants; Torah Fund Cabinet; Membership; Education, Past WLCJ Vice President, Financial Secretary, and Branch / Region President (2004–2006)
Hfsbh@aol.com
hbelman@wlcj.org
