In Loving Memory of Phyllis Hecht

"So many family memories of all of the Such cousins as kids are embedded in my heart. These last few months since our Aliyah from NJ we re-established our loving Kesher through the things she treasured the most - especially ~ Limud Torah."

תְּהֵא נִשְׁמָתָהּ צְרוּרָה בִּצְרוֹר הַחַיִּים 💖

"Dear Hecht and Witkin families, Phyllis and I go back as friends to our Morasha days as kids, but we reconnected when we both started learning daf yomi together with Rabbanit Michelle Farber. We talked Torah and she shared so much Torah with everyone. She was a wellspring of Torah and I was fortunate to be a part of so many of her Torah WhatsApp groups. I always wondered how she found all these divrei torah and found the time to share them with everyone. Shabbat and Pesach will not be the same without all her gems."

"Her unwavering emunah, and positive outlook throughout her illness were and will always be an inspiration to me. I will miss her very much."

הַמָּקוֹם יְנַחֵם אֶתְכֶם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר אֲבֵלֵי צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָׁלַיִם.

"With open arms, Phyllis welcomed us to Kew Gardens Hills and immediately made us feel at home. Whether on or off the court, her warmth, kindness, and beautiful middot were truly in a league of their own. She had a special way of making everyone feel valued and cared for, and her presence touched so many lives."

"May the Hecht and Witkin families find comfort in their cherished memories of Phyllis and in the lasting impact she had on all who knew her. May Hashem grant them chizuk and nechamah during this difficult time."

הַמָּקוֹם יְנַחֵם אֶתְכֶם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאָר אֲבֵלֵי צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָׁלָיִם. 💔

"I'm so sorry and sad. Phyllis was really someone special and a super loving and caring cousin."

"Phyllis was one of a kind! She was a role model in so many ways to so many people! She will be sorely missed."

"We are deeply saddened at the passing of one of the strongest, wisest people we know. She was a true Daughter of Israel in every way. May Hashem bring her into Gan Eden and give her eternal reward."

"Always a smile. Always a kind word about everyone. A real special person who made everyone feel better. Will be missed but never forgotten."

"Phyllis and the whole family are so so brave. We have learned from your example. May Hashem give you strength."

"To the extended Witkin and Hecht families our deepest sympathies and condolences on your loss. Our memories go back to times of a young woman on her gap year and Shabbatot in Alon Shevut. May your memories of happy times together bring you comfort and May her neshama have an aliyah."

מן השמים תנוחמו

"We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Phyllis. A lovely woman from a lovely family. Our memories from Far Rockaway and HAFTR are warm ones. Charlie and Lillian."

"Zehava you spoke so beautifully and made us realize just how special your sister was."

"To the Witkin and Hecht families. So sorry to hear about your loss- I hope all the good times and memories help give you comfort."

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שער אבלי ציון וירושלים

"MAy her beautiful neshama have an Aliyah and may she watch over us all as a good advocate"

"Phyllis was such a live and vibrant inspiration to our Hadran zoom group. We looked forward to her wisdom and humour. She kept us up to date on chayalim to daven for . She radiated hope and emunah and we looked forward to her shabbat and chagim messages and quipes. Sometimes we almost forgot she was ill."

"We were zocha to know a great neshama who will probably continue her journey above and help organize her shiurim there."

May she be a מיליצת יושר לכלל עם ישראל

"May the family be comforted and find nechama in the zchut that they had of having her as wife mother and sibling."

יהי זכרה ברוך

"Today we lost a truly special member of our community. 💔"

"I had the privilege of being her caregiver for a time, but she was so much more than that to me. She was kind, caring, supportive, and always took an interest in the people around her."

"Sheワン of my biggest supporters when it came to my artwork, especially when I was selling my lion posters during the war. Her encouragement and belief in me meant so much and gave me strength during a very difficult time."

"As a single mom, there were many moments when life felt overwhelming, and she understood that. She was always there for me and for my children with kindness, support, and a listening ear. Her compassion touched our lives in ways I will never forget."

"She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. My heart goes out to her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched."

"May her memory be a blessing. 🕊️❤️"

"Dear Oren and the Hecht family, My warmest and most sincere condolences for the loss of your dear mother. Watching your family from the sidelines, I see a mother who raised a strong, beautiful, and cohesive family - one that surrounded her with joy, support, and fulfillment. I am confident that you were her source of pride, joy, and comfort all along the way, and for that, she was truly blessed. May you continue to remember and carry her with you forever, and may you always find her presence in the significant milestones of your lives."

"So very sorry for your loss. May your fond and loving memories bring you comfort."

"Phyllis was a special person, someone who was always full of warmth and positivity. I have so many wonderful memories I will cherish. Her neshoma should have an Aliya. Boruch Dayan Haemet"

"So many old memories make me smile. To the entire Witkin Hecht family- may Phyllis's incredible life bring comfort to you and may her merits watch over and protect Am Yisrael"

"HaMakom Yenachem Etchem!"

"Baruch Dayan Emet. No words…"

"What an inspiration she was in every way. Although I never got to know her well, she had a tremendous effect on me. i did not know what i asked for when I joined Coffee talk, but wow, there was so much information to be had…Thank you for all that and more. From afar i noted how she fought in such a regal way with an illness that could have brought her down. May all of the family continue to thrive and be well and find happiness with her memory"

"May your Neshama always be surrounded and nourished by the love you gave and the example you said for everyone who knew you. Much love and heart guard, and may memory and everything you accomplished be for the good of your family.am Yisrael."

"So many fond memories of Phyllis. May her neshamah have an aliyah. May the family have nechamah and keep her memory alive ."

"Baruch Dayan Haemet. I am heartbroken and I am endlessly inspired to hear what an incredible person Phyllis was"

"So sorry for your loss. Passionate, athletic, kind....a Witkin...and a Hecht. A beautiful Neshama."

Min HaShomayim T'nuchamu

"My thoughts and prayers are with all of you."

"Baruch Dayan Emet. Sending love and comfort to the Hecht Family❤️‍🩹."

"To the Hecht family, Phyllis was a constant source of positive inspiration even on the darkest days of her journey, her beautiful smile always radiating. She was a beacon of light, so graciously sharing words of Torah that resonated so much. May Phyllis's memory be a blessing."

תנחמו מי השמיים

"A true shining light and an inspiration to all!"

"Phylis was one of Lisa and Elaine’s adorable younger sisters, always with spunk and genuineness. Throughout Seneca and HAFTR a good athlete and a good friend. Spent much fun times growing up in your house in Far Rockaway. I know what a warrior you were!! An example for all. You will be missed. Sending love, comfort and strength. Tehi Zechrona l’Bracha."

"BD"H"

"Phyllis was such an extraordinary person. So loved, so respected, so inspiring to so many. She was larger than life and will be painfully missed by a world of people. Wishing the entire family the strength to continue life without her here in the physical world but with her spirit and soul living on."

תהי נשמתה צרורה בצרור החיים.

מן השמים תנוחמו.

"So sorry to hear about your loss. Keep the memories alive!"

"Phyllis was one of my favorite people in High School, so glad I reconnected with her via Alumni chats. I especially liked to kibbitz with her about Daf Yomi. I dedicate the rest of this cycle of Daf Yomi to the memory of Phyllis, z"l. May her neshama continue to inspire us all for many many years to come."

Min HaShomayim T'nuchamu

"Phyllis, you had the most humongous amount hesed, goodness + emunah. We will try to continue to be better people and know how much you inspired us all. You shall be sorely missed"

"What can one say, so very difficult to understand, a wonderful human being, so inspiring full of life. A wonderful couple. Parents of gold. Try to remember the good. Always."

"Sending the family so much love and strength during this difficult time. Love you Ayelet and you are an incredible daughter for the time you have dedicated to your mother."

"So glad that we had the opportunity to see Phyllis last January. She was a beacon of strength and inspired all who met her. Yehi zichrah baruch."

"מן השמים תנוחמו- Phyllis was a special person from whom I learned so much both in Torah and in מעשים טובים."

"With deep sadness"

"So deeply sorry for this loss. Phyllis was such a wonderful person, filled with love and kindness. She will be deeply missed."

"She began as my student, but quickly became a chevruta, a co-learner and a friend. Then, even quicker, a mentor and a teacher. She taught me--and so many of us--what living a Torah life, living a life with Hashem at the center, and living it real, meant. She will guide me for the rest of my life. Every daf I learn in the next year (and learning Torah beyond) will be in her zechut. May she be a meilitzat yosher for all of us, and bask in the light of Gan Eden. She will be missed, but she has left an incredible, eternal legacy. Yehi zichra baruch."

"Wishing you all comfort from the wonderful legacy that Phyllis has left for all of us. Such a special person who impacted so many."

הי ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים

"I spent many many hours sitting in traffic with Phyllis between the yishuv and Tel Aviv. We always had so much to talk about, there was never awkward silence. She was supportive, always had good suggestions, and always taught me a thing or two or more. I enjoyed her shiurim - if I had a teacher like her in high school who knows how I would have turned out! I admired her faith and ayin tova on everything. I will miss her."

"❤️ 💙"

"Phyllis and I were in school since our preschool days. I always admired her fortitude and warmth. She was a good friend to all of us.. May she be a meilitz yashar to her family and friends."

"I am so sorry to hear about Phyllis. She was a special person who shared her wisdom and kindness to others. She was an inspiration to me. May her neshama have an Aliyah."

"We will miss her. She was a special person. Silverstein Cousins"

"I didn't know Phyllis well before her illness. We only met once in person, but I felt deeply connected to her. My son was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few months after Phyllis was diagnosed. Phyllis heard about us, and she reached out to offer an understanding ear, support, kindness, and inspiration. What followed was 3 years of Phyllis's constant chizuk, her positive outlook, and her deep faith in G-d. I truly considered her a loving and caring friend."

"This world has lost a giant. The next world has gained one."

"It was a true honor knowing Phyllis. She was a true בעלת חסד who was ready to jump in and help! I sought her advice on many ocassions and she was always spot on!"

"May her acts of chessed be a comfort to her family and may her love of Torah serve as an inspiration to all of us."

"It was an honor knowing Phyllis. A true בעלת חסד who was always ready to jump in and help. I dought her advice on many occasions and she was always spot on! May all of her chessed be a comfort to her family and may her love of Torah serve as an inspiration to all of us."

"I’m so sorry for your loss. Think of the Witkin and hecht family fondly. Old friends."

Hamakom yinachem etchem btoch shaar aveilei tzion veyerushalayim.

מן השמים תנחמו

אין מילים

"We went to HiLi from the beginning through High School. We will all miss her"

"She was just amazing!"

"Phyllis was my role model- constantly pushing me to do better and be better, encouraging me to teach more and share more of my Torah knowledge with others. She was a ray of sunshine, always optimistic, always hoping for another day to daven and learn and share her beautiful middot with others. May Phyllis be an advocate for all of Kelal Yisrael in shamayim by Hashem’s kisse’ ha-kavod"

"Phyllis was and remains an inspiration and tower of strength and hope to all of us who were privileged to learn with her and from her."

יהי זכרה ברוך. (שולי)

"I am broken. I feel blessed to have had her for a friend , chavruta and neighbor for over 20 years. May Phyllis be a mailitz yosher for your family and am yisroel."

"A beautiful woman who touched all the people she met. She left behind an indelible impression with the world being a better place .My heart is broken,but greatful for having known her in some small way. May her beautiful neshama have healing and rise to the highest of heights."

"What a beautiful soul! A beacon of Torah! Your smile will remain in my heart always. You filled our world with immeasurable good. Thank you for your friendship Phyl. Love you!"

"One of the great loves of my life. What extraordinary memories we've made. I can't imagine my life without you. I can't imagine the WORLD without you. As you say I love you lots"

"One of the great loves of my life.. what incredible memories we made. I can't imagine my life without you. have forever"

"Not only a tremendous loss to the immediate families but to all khal Yisroel"

"An illuminating light has gone out. May Phyllis’ love of Torah learning be an inspiration for all of us."

"May you be the light in the next world as you were for all of us here. I will miss you Phyllis. Thank you for being my friend."

"How is it that my friend is no longer here? My first HILI friend - who read Hebrew in Ashkenazis instead of Sfaradit - that day in Moreh Lapa's 5th grade class of the newly merged HAFTR. On Fridays we walked to Armando's and throughout HS we had so many classes and lunches together."

"Many years later and thank gd we're close friends again, one on one, and with our husbands and kids, and with Vicki and Avi, and as neighbors - living in Chashmonaim, the greatest community on Hashem's Earth. Our mutual neighbors and friends were so blessed to get to know you so well, as I did a mere 46+ years ago. I love you Phyll! Baruch Dayan Haemet."

"A fabulous person who spread light, joy and love. 💕 Phyllis modeled leadership in sports and in life. May her neshama have an Aliyah."

"I knew Phyllis, z’l, in the capacity of Points of Contact. She joined our team as a matchmaker and always always looked out for the best interests of our singles. I value my phone/ text conversations with her- as she determined to stay present during her illness. She was such an inspiring person and will be missed by all whose lives she touched."

יהי זכרה ברוך

"Tanchumai"

"Have many memories of Phyliss זל in camp Seneca lake. She bested me in all sports. And in Machon Gold her love of Israel was seen on day one. May her neshama have an Aliya."