Rav Stern of Jerusalem had everything that many work a lifetime to achieve: A talmid chacham, a rosh kollel, and a mashgiach, with a wonderful Rebbetzin & 14 happy children. Despite appearances however, a diagnosis had quietly turned their home to chaos. Since Rebbetzin Stern’s battle with cancer began, the Rav has become solely responsible for raising his large family. This is in addition to running a kollel, and tending to his wife’s needs. As is the case in families hit by such trauma, the older kids have learned to care for the younger kids. The Rebbetzin is confined to her bed, fighting bravely against the disease. It did not take long for financial pressure to take hold.

We are grief-stricken with this immeasurable tragedy. Mrs. Baila Rivka Mertzbach nee Uhr a”h A young mother from Monsey, with no prior medical conditions, has tragically succumbed to the coronavirus. She left behind a family of 11 children with the youngest just 1 year old. This tragedy has shaken us to the core. The children have been left shattered, lost, and bereft of their mother’s love and warm care. “How will we survive the excruciating pain of living without Mommy?” her family is weeping.