The Spiritual Journey of Sarah Cohen: Visions of Her Great-Grandfather, Baba Sali

"The first time I realized the significance of being Baba Sali's great-granddaughter was at age four," recounts Sarah Cohen. "I walked into a neighbor's house and saw a picture of my great-grandfather on the wall. Amazed, I returned home and asked my mother, 'Why is Grandpa on their wall?' My mother explained what I've heard many times since: 'Grandpa wasn't just ours; he was the grandpa of all Israel.'

"That sentence accompanies me to this day," says Sarah, a professional artist and singer. "I believe it truly reflects Baba Sali's essence, who was wholly dedicated to the Jewish people. Sadly, I never met him personally, as I was born just after his passing. But about three years ago, I decided to learn more about him and share that knowledge with others. This led to creating the performance 'Women of the Household,' tracing his life, speaking with family who knew him, and sharing untold stories. The results can now be seen in the show touring across the country."

"Grandpa Gave Me Strength"

Sarah is a singer, songwriter, and composer, regularly performing at various events, though this wasn't always her path.

"I've always loved singing, but it was just a hobby," she notes. "About nine years ago, during my seventh pregnancy, I dreamt of Baba Sali dressed in white, shaking my hand with a vibration as if transmitting energy to me. Upon waking, my hand still trembled. It felt like he was giving me strength I would need. Shortly after, I suddenly felt inspired to sing and decided to buy a piano and learn music."

"Those around me couldn't understand why a busy expectant mother would take up new hobbies, but I felt compelled. For months, I played until I found myself composing and writing lyrics. Suddenly, music became a part of me, and I approached my labor full of songs and praise for Hashem."

After her daughter was born, Sarah named her 'Tehila,' although soon they noticed something was amiss with her development.

"Tehila was rehospitalized," Sarah shares, "and we were soon made aware that she was a special needs child with much sweetness and charm. It was a challenging time for accepting the new reality, and what helped me were the strength from the tzaddik and the songs that connected me to Hashem. I understood it was His will from His great love, allowing me to accept the challenge with love. Today, Tehila is nine, doesn't speak, but hums any song she hears with such grace, true to the phrase 'For You silence is praise.'"

Did your personal story influence the show you created?

"Certainly, but not only that. Many stories I've heard about the tzaddik's blessing, including my own birth, where my mother experienced miracles, with Baba Sali intervening when her life was endangered and helping her have more children."

"Collecting material for the show, I heard moving stories from Baba Sali's daughters, Rebbetzin Avigail Busso, my grandmother, and Rebbetzin Penina Yehudayoff, my mother’s aunt. After their sister's passing, having them alive felt like a blessing and a duty to document their stories. Being an artist, I knew to combine multimedia segments of them sharing with songs to enhance the message and touch the audience."

Love for Every Jew

Sarah began working on this unique project about three years ago around the High Holy Days, finalizing it by Baba Sali's yahrzeit in Shevat.

"I had no previous experience securing funding," she recalls, "and hoped to find support, but it proved challenging. I nearly thought it was all for naught, but I persevered, driven by faith and an inner voice telling me, 'You're doing something greater; don't give up.'

"Eventually, the show was booked in Akko, and then Jerusalem funded it just weeks before the yahrzeit. We hosted two high-level events with my grandmother blessing the women. This year, we've performed at several locations, and this week we’ll be in Holon at the Steinberg Auditorium on Tuesday and in Jerusalem at Pisgat Ze'ev's Cultural Hall Wednesday – both at 8 PM." Seeing everyone leave touched by the show reaffirms the initiative's importance."

Have you gained new insights into Baba Sali from the stories you share?

"Absolutely. My aunt once told me that during a visit to their home in France, he went out of his way to buy their hosting grandmother a special gift in gratitude. Stories of him caring for the simplest people's small wishes moved me deeply.

"I had always seen him as a heavenly angel, suddenly revealing a more personal caring side. His prayers constantly focused on the Jewish people."

"For me, the most significant takeaway from Baba Sali's life is the immense love he spread. A love deeply rooted in his connection to Hashem and God's love for us.

"He was so close to Hashem that he absorbed divine love intensely, cultivating a deep love for every Jew, regardless of who they were. One touching story shared in the show is his lament over people seeking his blessings but forgetting to return and express gratitude once they materialized. He truly cared for everyone, loving every Jew just for their Jewish soul, a giant heart we must emulate, especially in these times."

For the People of Israel

A unique aspect of Sarah's show is her musical collaboration with her daughter Avigail, a talented 21-year-old singer. "Performing together, mother and daughter, is our ultimate joy," she says. "It’s challenging to find rehearsal time since we’re often home, not meeting specifically for practice, but in the end, I believe our bond greatly enriches the performance."

Sarah concludes with a famous story about her grandpa: "Days before his passing, Baba Sali neither ate nor drank, explaining a severe decree loomed over Israel. His wife urged him to nullify it, as he had before, but he couldn't. The decree was harsh, and he envisioned many people, young and old, perishing. He secluded himself, fasting and praying intensely for its removal.

"One day, he emerged with a radiant face, announcing success in nullifying the decree by divine assistance, ordering a grand feast. The next day, he was hospitalized and passed a few days later. Even in death, he gave everything for Israel. May we all strengthen in love for Israel and learn from him, even just a little."