Community Magazine October 2014

Remembering Jherin A”H Anyone who knew or has even heard of Jherin Gorcey (March 2, 1995 –April 27, 2011) is well aware of how she embodied the ideal of emunah – faith and trust in Hashem. When we reflect upon her short life, it becomes ever so clear that Jherin was sent here to strengthen, encourage, and inspire us all with the message of faith in the Almighty. As she herself wrote in a stirring poem which she entitled, “ Emunah ”: Bitachon is what we need, Emunah is what we gain, The trust and love we have for him, Must empower all our pain… These are words that she lived by, and a lesson she spread to so many, both here in our community and well beyond. Steadfast in her commitment to influence and inspire, Jherin gathered countless girls together for Torah classes in her home. She invited all girls, regardless of which school they attended, their background or their religious level. Jherin was on a mission, and no obstacle would get in her way. Girls from Hillel, Ilan, the Deal Bet Yaakob, public schools, colleges, and elsewhere, all came to take part in the classes given at the Gorcey home. And they all came for the same reason: they loved Jherin Gorcey. Her mission and campaign to light up a dark world was progressing at full force until it was brought to an abrupt halt on 24 Nissan, 5771, when the precious soul of Jherin Esther Bat Rachel was returned to its maker. She was buried in Israel, just two hours before Shabbat. But although Jherin has physically left us, her campaign was far from over. “The Yetzer Hara Will Surely Do His Best to Interfere” Following the shloshim , Jherin’s mother, Mrs. Rachel Gorcey, was approached by members of the Eatontown community who suggested dedicating the future mikveh of the Eatontown Shul in Jherin’s memory. Rachel gave the idea some thought, and then agreed. As the project got underway, Rachel was resolute in her conviction that it was her mission to build this mikveh, and she refused to let anything deter her from bringing it through to fruition. Rachel visited numerous rabbis who cautioned that as building a mikveh is the holiest project one can undertake, the process is all but guaranteed to be fraught with difficulties. “It is an undertaking that the yetzer hara will surely do his best to interfere with.” she was warned. But she was eager, determined, and prepared The Miracle Mikveh LEON SAKKAL At 16 Whalepond Road, right next door to Sha’are Tefilah (the Eatontown Shul), is where you’ll find the brand new Jherin Esther Gorcey Mikveh. The story of its construction is one of heartfelt prayers, bitter tears, and incredible miracles. As this “miracle mikveh” now reaches its final stages of completion, it behooves us to hear this remarkable story of faith and acknowledge Gd’s unmistakable role in turning this dream into a reality. 32 Community magazine