It’s amazing what can happen in a year’s time. Months ago, The Journal spotlighted Lily Rachel Kaufman, a 31-year-old jewelry designer making a splash in the fashion world with her Brighton Way showroom in Beverly Hills.
In the year since, Kaufman’s life has been touched by tragedy: the passing of her 2-year-old son, Zachary Samuel, who died in her arms of renal failure on Nov. 9. Despite Zachary’s history of medical problems, his death devastated the first-time mother. It shook her faith.
"There were times where I didn’t know where God was. The rabbi said, ‘God was there, holding you up,’" recalled Kaufman.
Packed into her 5-foot 3-inch, 92-lb. frame is a very strong person. During a visit to her Bel Air home, it’s amazing how composed she is and how matter-of-factly she discusses this heart-wrenching personal drama.
At some point since Zachary’s death, Kaufman decided to channel the grieving into giving. She turned to Chabad of Bel Air’s Rabbi Chaim Mentz to create a book of Judaica — including the five books of Moses, a siddur, and a collection of psalms — in memory of Zach, who would have turned three on Feb. 13. Kaufman will donate 100 copies of this limited-edition book to interested parents with children born during 1998, Zach’s birth year.
"It’s like a mitzvah that he’s giving," said Kaufman. "What these 100 books mean to me is that every child who receives it should have a Jewish identity. My child wasn’t able to go to school, wasn’t able to study Torah, but other children will."
Despite Zachary’s short life, Kaufman is grateful that she had the chance to know her son.
"As hard as it was, I’m so happy that he came to me. I keep him in my heart every day. I think that God gave me Zachary because he knew that I would take care of him. He taught me about life," she said. Drawing a deep breath, she added, "I’m still standing. I have peace in my heart."
Parents interested in obtaining a copy of Zachary’s book should contact Rabbi Chaim Mentz at (310) 475-5311. Please be ready to provide the child’s name, Hebrew name, birthdate, and the time of day that they were born, for the dedication inscription.
