Ramat Hasharon , Israel —Rachel (Regina) Tessler, mother of long-time cantor of Congregation Beth El, Jacob Tessler, passed away on Thursday, March 30, at the age of 94.
Born in the small Romanian village of Romoli in 1922, Rachel helped run her family grocery store until the start of the Second World War. She was one of a few family members to survive the horrors of Auschwitz and Nazi Death Marches, to return to Viseu de Sus, Romania. There, she married her husband, Baruch OB’M, and started a family. Experiencing yet more anti-Semitic persecution under the Communist regime, Rachel and family made aliyah to Israel, where she would live until her passing.
Despite years of trial and suffering, Rachel stood fast in her faith and took the utmost pride in being able to provide for her family in the homeland of the Jewish people. Rachel lived for her children and grandchildren, enjoying immeasurable nachas from them.
Rachel is survived, and lovingly remembered, by her daughter Pessy, and her husband, Benny (of Edmonton, Canada); her son, Jacob, and his wife Cyndi (of Norfolk, Virginia); and four grandchildren.
Donations in her memory can be made at www.gofundme.com/jewishmusictolife in support of a project to save and revive a piece of lost Jewish music that Rachel brought with her through the camps of Holocaust Europe.