An Unforgettable 9-Year-Old

Not even 2 weeks ago, a true tragedy occurred in the lives of our oldest friends in the world. Miri, the youngest daughter of our dear friends Doni Farkovits and Lisa Rosenberg Farkovits, died at just NINE years old from an impulsive accident, on the DAY of her older sister’s Bat Mitzvah.

Everything about this is and was awful. Our connection to Lisa and her family goes back to before I was even born. Her mother Madeleine Rosenberg is a second mom to me, with photos of her pregnant with my oldest friend in the world Ronnie next to my mother, months away from being pregnant with ME. Her father Robert Rosenberg was not only another dad to me but was the talented architect of my parent’s second story to their home. Lisa was and is a big sister to me, and I have no words for experiencing the tragedy itself so instead I am describing what this family means to me.

I met Miri at the post wedding celebration Sheva Brachos that the Rosenberg family threw for me and Adi, and she was a pure bundle of energy that we could never forget…such a joy at that time when she was 3 and continued to be a joy when she visited my mother in LA who has been sick, and when she met my father do you know what this 9 year old told my mom? That my father is so handsome she totally gets why she married him! This was no ordinary child, in the best of ways.

I could go on but instead will tell you that the family, who live in New Jersey, are somehow finding productive ways to celebrate her very very short life. Please join me and Adi in contributing to this beautiful cause, or telling others about it, and I will copy the message directly from Lisa below that explains more.

May none of us ever have to experience a tragedy in our lifetimes.

www.theideaschool.org/in-memory-of-miri-farkovits

Dear Family, Friends, and Members of our Community,

Last month we suffered the tragic loss of our daughter, Miri. We are now seeking ways to convert this meaningless act into one of meaning. Miri had a love of life, people, adventure, and creativity that made a lasting impression on those who met her. Her hugs were legendary, and we feel a huge hug vacuum has been left as a result of her passing.

We have sought and encouraged others to do as many Mitzvot (good deeds) as possible since her death. Friends, family, and community members have donated to numerous charities such as Sharsheret, Ohel, Kesher, Yeshivat Noam, and Shearite Haplate. A friend of ours started a charity to provide dresses to girls in need in Miri’s honor. We worked with Ohel to share our and Miri’s story to assist other families and community members in crisis. But we need to do more.

Prior to Miri’s passing, we helped build The Idea School. The Idea School focuses on growing students’ creative, problem-solving, and social skills through a Project-Based Learning model. The model has been successful already, with the school experiencing a 350% growth in students this year.

Although she was only 9, Miri was a fixture at our Board meetings. She was so curious about what we were doing that we could hear her on the stairs trying to listen to our discussions. Miri was specifically interested in the ways The Idea School changed how we teach and engage with students. We’re proud to be part of a school where all children can be successful.

We want to honor Miri’s life, creativity, curiosity, and passion by establishing the Miri Farkovits Educational Fund at The Idea School. Our first initiative is Miri’s Maker Makom, a space where students can be innovative and creative. We are grateful to our families, the Farkovitses and Rosenbergs, for donating $100,000 toward this first project from the Miri Farkovits Educational Fund.

However, we need to achieve sustainability for The Idea School. Today we are kicking off a campaign to raise $2 million to fund The Idea School’s remaining development costs. If successful, we will be able to permanently memorialize Miri by naming The Idea School in her honor.

We ask that you join us in honoring Miri by participating in this campaign. The link to the donation page can be found here.

As we approach the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, we thank you for your generosity and give a Bracha (blessing) for all of us to have a year of health, success, and happiness.

With hugs,

Lisa and Doni Farkovits

The Idea School
411 East Clinton Avenue
Tenafly, NJ 07670