The family of Chabad emissaries in the Caribbean (photo: official website, Chabad Updates media network)
Aniya Federman, a 40-year-old Chabad emissary, died tonight (Thursday), two months after she jumped into the water in the US Virgin Islands in an attempt to save her four-month-old daughter, and was rescued by them in critical condition. Since then, she has been hospitalized in Florida with members of her extended family by her side. Sarah, whom she tried to save, was lifelessly pulled from the water. She left behind a husband and 12 children.
Aniya was born in Wisconsin in 1982 and grew up in a family where everyone was dedicated to spreading Jewish awareness. Later, she followed in their footsteps and in 2005 founded together with her husband Rabbi Asher Federman The Yuvavitch Chabad House of the Virgin Islands.
For 18 years, the two built a Jewish community life there.
"They brought this great feeling of tradition, of joy," said Sharon Triman, who knew the couple, "this is where I felt I connected with my parents, my grandparents."
When news of the accident first spread, Virgin Island locals and tourists formed groups on social media to share inspiration and anecdotes they had gleaned from the ordeal over the years.
As the stories piled up, they discovered that each one saw himself as "Aniya's best friend", as she cultivated and cherished a unique bond with each person she encountered.
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The marina in St. Thomas where the poor mother and baby Sarah drowned (photo: official website, Virgin Islands Police)
During the last months that the poor man was hospitalized between life and death, thousands of their former campers and visitors, who enjoyed the couple's hospitality, came to share their memories.
"Hanea was my camp counselor when I was a kid," Stephanie Rosenberg wrote on Facebook.
"We talked occasionally, the last time was right after my father died. She sent me a book about grief, which I still keep by my bed."
Tina Shiani, who often spends time on the island with her family, said that Aniya was her closest friend and that she was "the rabbi on speed dial", since she was always available to answer any question.
"Rabbi Asher and Hania are always so warm and helpful, and Ania is like a sister to me," she said.
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