Every Shabbos for the past 35 years the Machlis family has opened their home to anywhere between 100 and 300 people who come to taste a Shabbos experience. Over the years they have become almost legendary — many people know them more know of them. But to us they are simply the downstairs neighbors. On Erev Shabbos parshas Noach I woke up to a new reality. 

After years of battling cancer Mrs. Machlis passed away — on Friday her favorite weekday. During the week of the shivah I watched from my window as hundreds of people passed through the Machlises’ home and shared how their lives were forever changed by Mrs. Machlis. Students rabbis family friends… They each had a unique perspective on their own personal loss. Allow me to share mine.  

Part of Our Home 

After several years of renting my husband and I started discussing the idea of buying our own apartment. We began searching for an apartment that would somehow fit all of our criteria — good size good condition good price. Our apartment offered none of those. Still it offered one feature we could not forgo: good neighbors. One afternoon I sat with my children on the grass outside the Machlises’ entrance. I was soon joined by Tamar then the Machlises’ most recent newlywed daughter. 

She sensed my worry. “What’s the matter Michal?” “It’s nothing… I just… I don’t understand how young couples can afford to buy apartments in Yerushalayim.” 

“I know exactly what you mean. Long before I even got engaged I told my parents that I was already davening to be able to afford an apartment in Yerushalayim.” 

“Really?” I asked “And what did they say…?"

“Well obviously they said I was crazy!” She laughed. 

“I mean why wasn’t I davening for a house?!” During the shivahTamar told me “Hashem was not just a concept for us growing up. My mother lived with Hashem. She woke up every morning talking to Him and went to sleep at night talking to Him. Hashem was a part of our home.”