She Lived Modestly, But Gave to Charity Eagerly Without Hesitation

On the morning of Monday, January 18, 2016, the news struck all her acquaintances and admirers with shock: the benevolent Israel-loving Jenny Rivka Sofer passed away at the age of 50 and was laid to rest at Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem. Thus, ended decades of boundless benevolence, charity, and caring. Jenny Rivka was well known to many in the Hidabroot family for her generous contributions during times of economic hardship, donating millions for charity.

Rabbi Zamir Cohen, head of Hidabroot, spoke of Jenny Rivka's immense love for kindness and the Jewish people: "A woman with an unbounded loving heart for the Jewish people and rare fear of Heaven. It was always evident from her words that she sought no honor for herself but aimed to fulfill Hashem's will and help more and more Jews connect to their Judaism."

The Rabbi spoke about Jenny Rivka's greatness and her numerous merits: "In Hidabroot's most difficult moments, she supported the organization to prevent it from collapsing. She supported Talmud Torahs, yeshivas, and kolels, and initiated providing tefillin to many boys at no cost to merit them with this important mitzvah. She helped the needy, and when praised for her deeds, she smiled and said, 'Isn't Mashiach close?'"

"It is indeed about her, it is said: 'My beloved went down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens and to gather lilies.' The King gathered a wonderful lily and raised it up high, to receive her reward for her great deeds, after meriting to accomplish so much for the Jewish people."

The First Mission: "The Transformation" in Italian

The acquaintance with Jenny Rivka began in 2007 when a dear Jew from Italy named Eduardo approached the Deputy Director of Hidabroot, Nir Garmi, requesting to translate Rabbi Zamir Cohen's book "The Transformation" into Italian. Eduardo was determined that presenting scientific proofs about Judaism in Italian would help bring distant Jews closer and stop the assimilation of Italian Jews.

Garmi replied that while Hidabroot would love to do so, it lacked the budget to carry out the initiative. A few days later, Eduardo introduced Garmi to the benevolent Jenny Rivka Sofer. Jenny Rivka was a young Italian Jew from Rome, who led a traditional lifestyle. That year, Jenny Rivka's father passed away, and she sought to memorialize him.

Jenny was interested in the activities of Hidabroot, and Garmi explained that it was an organization for bridging gaps between ultra-Orthodox, religious, and secular Jews under Rabbi Zamir Cohen's leadership. Garmi also mentioned their plans to create a TV channel and website for public outreach, and Jenny Rivka immediately took up the mission. In time, she repented and moved to Israel, bringing many of her family back to Judaism and encouraging many to immigrate from Italy to Israel.

"From that moment, she was driven by a huge urge to bring merit to the masses," Garmi recounts. "She helped the organization nine years ago when its economic situation was dire, and supported Hidabroot during difficult times for a long period afterward. She financially supported the public outreach activities, even at times when there was hardly any money for such expansive activities. Her entire contribution was made joyfully and with love for the Jewish people."

Garmi also said, "We know she is now receiving great reward for all her actions, and we lament the loss of such a great soul. A modest and simple woman who gave so much to the Jewish people."

May her memory be blessed

"The Truth Was Her Driving Force"

Stories about Jenny's special nature continue to pour in from all directions. It is clear that most people close to her can hardly believe that the energetic, lively, and benevolent woman is no longer with us. "She was a truly righteous woman. She always said she wanted to make a Kiddush Hashem in her death. Indeed, those who knew her were greatly strengthened while she was ill."

Galia Levy, who volunteered with Jenny Rivka at the organization, adds: "Jenny and I first met at the Hidabroot offices. We both volunteered in the organization. She was beautiful on the outside and even more so on the inside, full of joy and incredible energy. I knew right away we would become friends."

"Jenny Rivka repented and immigrated to Israel because the truth prevailed in her. The truth was her driving force. Jenny spoke Italian mixed with Hebrew, and as someone who grew up with an Italian-speaking mother, I decided to adopt her. She immediately entered my heart, and I brought her into my family."

"Thank Hashem, I had the privilege of being a very close friend of Jenny Rivka. It is hard for me to speak of her in the past tense, her energy is still here and will remain forever. A woman full of kindness, unaware that she accomplished something extraordinary. Full of modesty and appreciation for every person. Her love for Hashem and her willingness to do everything for His namesake out of love is enviable and admirable. There is no doubt she leaves a great void in her passing. No doubt we lost greatly."

Ze'ev Amrani, a veteran of the Hidabroot organization who knew Jenny Rivka very personally, shared: "I knew her for many years since the establishment of Hidabroot. Jenny was simply an exceptionally special person. She had an extraordinary love and fear of Hashem. She had ambitions to progress further spiritually, and I saw her strengthening process from beginning to end. She always wanted more, like always asking what more could be done to advance the Torah."

Ze'ev recounted that in her final days, Jenny Rivka, who was healthy, frequently spoke of redemption and the Messiah: "In particular lately, she spoke a lot about the Messiah. In every phone call, she asked when the Messiah was coming. She always said we need to act quickly for there is no time as the Messiah is coming."

Regarding Sofer's final moments, Ze'ev recounts: "I was in the hospital with her family until she passed away. The doctors said she did not suffer from any illness, any bacteria, nothing at all. On Shabbat, she lost consciousness, and on Sunday at midnight 13 scholars came and recited by her bedside the Ketoret incense service and the confessional order. Less than half an hour later, she passed away."

Ze'ev emphasized the personal sorrow of her departure: "We were extremely closely tied emotionally. She was a truly unique personality, with great joy of life. She was generous in kindness, not only with money but with deeds. She was attentive and helpful in any distress. She always tried to help in every area, even if it was someone looking for a job. She came to show us just how far one can go in serving Hashem. Overall, she gave quietly without speaking, striving not to buy anything for herself and living modestly. For charity, she gave quickly, without hesitation."

May her soul be bound up in the bond of life.

A poem written by Yael Levi, a relative of Jenny Rivka