ESTELLE HEDAYA A”H

A SHINING LIGHT EXTINGUISHED

SOMETIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT OR EARLY MORNING OF JUNE 24, HALF OF THE CHAMPLAIN TOWERS CONDOMINIUM, LOCATED IN SURFSIDE, FLORIDA COLLAPSED, LEAVING MORE THAN A HUNDRED PEOPLE MISSING. ONE OF THOSE UNACCOUNTED FOR WAS BELOVED COMMUNITY MEMBER ESTELLE HEDAYA A”H, DAUGHTER OF LINDA AND ABIE HEDAYA AND SIBLING TO IKEY AND JILL. THUS BEGAN A NIGHTMARE FOR HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND EVERYONE WHO HAD CONNECTIONS TO PEOPLE RESIDING IN THE BUILDING.

Rescue crews worked around the clock in difficult conditions and an Israeli team was brought in to aid the rescue mission. The search lasted almost a month and Estelle was the last person to be found. A friend of hers said, “Of course, she was. She had to make sure everyone got out before she’d leave.”

Her mother described her as “fearless. She would take on any adventure and try anything. She was optimistic and had a love for life. She was happy, funny and always laughing, from the time she was a baby. She was also honest, trustworthy, and had a great work ethic. After 30 years working in the jewelry business, she moved to Miami six years ago, to accept a job with Continental Buying Group and Preferred Jewelers International, where she excelled beyond anyone’s expectations.” Her mom continued, “she was a wonderful daughter, sister, and friend. Everyone loved her.”

There’s a Facebook page “Estelle Hedaya Remembered,” where family members and friends wrote about their favorite memories of Estelle, also known as Stella, and ChaCha, due to her love of dancing. It’s amazing how everyone remembered her exactly the same way—fun, funny, caring, and loving. One person said, “she always saw the glass half full.” Another said, “she never had a lemon, she always had lemonade.” When issues arose, Estelle sought solutions never dwelling on the negative. During the height of the pandemic she initiated a Friday afternoon happy hour on Zoom where many of her friends would meet with their own drink and snacks. They would talk and laugh; it was Estelle’s way to help them overcome the isolation. She saw the good in everything. She never judged anyone. Many people looked to her for advice, and several of them mentioned that now they have to ask themselves, WWED—what would Estelle do?

A man from our community, who was an acquaintance of Estelle’s, said he was sorry that they hadn’t been better friends, but he enjoyed following her online. He felt that “her life was good and the best was yet to come. She was the symbol of determination, optimism and hope.” He added, “All lives are precious, but hers was unique. Few people are as beloved as she was and we see it every day through her friends. Her tragic loss is among the hardest things any of us have ever gone through. We should all aspire to be like her.”

Always a trailblazer, at Estelle’s arayat (traditionally where only men speak), with the blessing of community rabbis, a room was provided for women where female family and friends gave moving speeches. It was mentioned that she was proud to be a member of this community. She loved her heritage and she’d always come home to spend the holidays with her parents. A friend pointed out, “Estelle was a single Syrian girl, grounded in her Syrianess, grounded in her Judaism, and attached to Hashem. She did nothing without Him.”

“It has been devastating to all of us,” her aunt, Regina Elo said. “Estelle was our shining star. She was the joy of all of our lives and we’re going to miss her terribly.”

Her mom concluded, “Estelle was 54, and it’s hard to be single after a certain age, but she accepted it and she was happy. There should be a place where single girls can go to gain the confidence that my daughter had, in order to live life to the fullest. That I feel would be a fitting legacy.”

It’s no surprise that her funeral at Magen David Synagogue in Bensonhurst was overflowing with those who loved her.