Wherever she lived, Aviva sought out opportunities to volunteer to help the disadvantaged. In Providence where we met, she went to the local old age home on shabbat afternoons together with me, Phil, and Megan. In Zurich as a grad student she regularly visited dear Pinchas at Beit Chana and later we were a shabbat support team there until Thalia was born. In Jerusalem she led laughter yoga with Alzheimer’s patients in Melabev; I had the privilege of seeing her in action there once, lifting the voices and spirits of everyone in the room.

In her memory, last year we started the family tradition of volunteering on her Jahrzeit. This year we continued the trend Nili had started of baking and distributing cookies to patients and staff at Hadassah Hospital after gathering at her grave. Cilla is about to start a year of national service supporting the elderly in Pardes Chana (which Thalia did in Zichron Yaakov), while Thalia will graduate as a social worker, devoting her career to the underprivileged and distressed, and continue her work in hospitals. And Livia is a veteran of Ruach Tova (“Good Spirit”), the leading organization in the field of volunteering in Israel.

Aviva, you would be very proud of our giving girls.

As we used to sing together:

סוּר מֵרָע וַעֲשֵׂה טוֹב
בַּקֵּשׁ שָׁלוֹם
וְרָדְפֵהוּ:

Depart from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.
And in a society torn by strife and steeped in conflict at every level, Da pacem Domine.

As I grow older, my longing and appreciation for you grows. You are one of the most powerful and strong women I have ever known.
Mama, I promise you that one thing I learned from you is that no matter what happens in my life, the moment I decide to have children I will take care of them until the moment I die and even after, they will be my priority like we were yours.
You are missed deeply every single day.

Dear Aviva,
Four years and one day ago we sat together in your living room. Since you have left us the streets of our neighborhood seem so much less lively. So often I miss not being able to talk to you. Knowing that your time would be precious you filled it with meaningful acts, with acts of kindness, with thoughtfulness. Grateful to have been part of your life.
Myriam

Planning to go back to Israel after more than three years, I hardly can immagine Jerusalem without Aviva. There will be a void that no one else will be able to fill. But in my heart, I preserve Avivas memory in honour and never want to lose it. What a blessing it is to have known her!

Today my dear mother, you would be 52 years old. I am thinking of what you probably would have done for your birthday party. You always had a cool theme at the parties that we would have at our house. Maybe you would lead a laughter-yoga workshop, improve or something else creative. I imagine myself being embarrassed by the loud voices of strange laughter that the whole street could enjoy:)
I can't believe that almost three years have passed, since I held your hand, since I heard your laughter and saw your beautiful smile. Three years since I became a motherless daughter.
I miss you so so much,Mama. I wish you were physically here to celebrate my engagement with me . But I know that you are with me at heart, smiling from heaven.
"יהיה זכרך ברוך"

Dear Family and friends of Aviva,

We cherish Aviva´s memory and will remember her enthusiasm and admirable engagement for education, tolerance and friendship.

Tekla Dunay on behalf of the supporters of Friday School in Jerusalem from Oberasbach in Germany.

One year has passed since our dear friend Aviva has left us for the world to come. I would like to share my thoughts on her today with all those who keep her precious memory in their hearts and specially with her family.