2 years ago

Hachnas Sefer Torah At Marine Park By The Tovshteyn Family

This past Sunday the Tovshteyn family dedicated a Hachnas Sefer Torah to Mayan Yisrael of Marine Park, in honor of Lina and Mordechai Tovshteyn • Full Story, Photos

Written by: Avrohom Chaim Gorokhov Photos by: Alex Gorokhova

“You have always been their salvation, their hope in every generation, to make known that all who place hope in You shall not be put to shame, nor shall all those who trust in You be disgraced forever.” – Megillat Esther.

This past Sunday the Tovshteyn family dedicated a Hachnas Sefer Torah to Mayan Yisrael of Marine Park, in honor of Lina and Mordechai Tovshteyn.

If you have never heard of Lina and Mordechai then you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting two incredible giving and loving individuals; who have always put their families and communities needs before their own.

Mordechai, since his birth, has been an extraordinary individual. He was born in the former Soviet Union at a time when you were prohibited from observing any form of Judaism for fear of death or mass incarceration in Siberia. Mordechai’s grandfather was willing to take the risk in order for his grandson to continue on in the legacy of our forefathers.

Mordechai and Lina were married in the 1960’s and began their miniature Beth Hamikdash. As they were growing their beautiful family and contributing to the covenant that Hakadosh Baruch Hu made with Avaraham Avinu at the Brit Beis Habisarim a horrible tragedy occurred to the newly wed couple. Their young son Reuven z’l tragically passed away.

Lina and Mordechai saw hope, love, and kindness within themselves and Hashem. In his mercy Hakadosh Baruch Hu blessed them with two sons Chaim and Eli Tovshteyn. They raised their sons in an open home. A home where anyone and everyone was always welcome. They gave up their meals for the sake of young bachurim and continued to teach their boys about the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim.

Their two sons grew up to be incredible baalei chesed and extraordinary men. They are always giving, growing, and learning in order for them to continue in the ideas of our forefathers. Unfortunately their beautiful life journey had to be paused due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Lina and Mordechai were both victims of this virus in February of 2021. They were both hospitalized and died a week from one another. However, their undying love for one another helped them continue and educate their families and everyone who has known them. They lived their lives through love and even in death continued to teach us about their everlasting love.

As we continue to remember their legacy and their families we should remember how much love and joy they have had throughout their lives. They were a miracle and a testament to our generation. As we are about to enter into the holidays of Purim and Pesach the holidays of miracles and love between us and Hashem.

We can continue to learn about the love that Lina and Mordechai had for themselves, their families, and their communities. It is the same love that Hashem has with Klal Yisroel. As Shlomo Hamelech has written in Shir Hashirim “ I am a rose of Sharon, a rose of the valleys. As a rose among the thorns, so it is my beloved among the daughters of Jerusalem.”- Shir Hashirim.

Hashem has chosen us and performed miracles and even on the day of the Hachnasat Sefer Torah. A day when the weather predicted gloomy and rainy clouds.

The neshamot of Lina and Mordachai performed a nes and created sunlight, warmth, and ensured that the 400 people that were there witnessed their miracles. May their beautiful neshamos have an Aliyah and may we witness to Have Mashiach come! Chag Kasher V’Sameach!