This article is about Dina Machla bas Eliezer. It is not about Dina stories. We all have our personal stories about Dina. This article is about the friend that I knew, the friend that I loved. Dina Machla was a tzniusdik (modest) person full of integrity, emes (truth), and love.
Three for Dina
Simcha, Bracha, and Shalom: the Words of Dina Blaustein
by Lisa Friedman
“May you have a day filled with much simcha, much bracha, and much shalom.” That was the cheerful message on the phone machine of my dear friend, Dina Blaustein, a”h. Years earlier, before the illness that took her life, she used to mention the Shabbos candle-lighting time and parshas hashavua on the machine as well. Of course, this was changed every week! I don’t know about you, but I barely have enough time to pick up my messages, let alone do my friends a service by changing my phone message every week. But Dina never allowed lack of time to stop her.
I am not a writer, and prefer to express myself through music. And Dina, my friend of 25 years, also expressed herself through music and dance. However, she did leave some writings behind, and I thought rather than write about my recollections of Dina – I could say much but I will leave that to others – I would let her writing speak for her.
The following excerpts are from Dina’s email letters, as well as some of her responses to articles on Aish.com. Dina Blaustein, Dina Machla bas Eliezer, leaves behind a legacy of simcha, chesed, and friendship. May we keep her memory close, and I hope these writings of hers will help to do that. May we all be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Yerushalayim.
Email from Dina
“I am convinced that Hashem is hearing all of your general prayers, the extra tehilim (psalms) you are saying, the mishabeirachs you’re having said in shul, noticing the extra tzedaka that is being given, the deep and sincere feelings you have on my behalf with all your warm and caring wishes.....This must have an effect, as I feel people are doing so much on my behalf (literally) all over the world. May we serve Hashem in the best of health, in a peaceful environment, as well as with peace of mind. May we also be productive in ALL we do in this world. May we bring continual GOOD into the world as well as see ALL the good around us! Here’s to many more healthy, simchadik years for all of klal Yisrael in our precious HOMEland.....Have a spiritual, warm, and wonderful Shabbos!”
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“Dear Friends, …I am now writing to you from The Lehman Hotel in Netanya…. Wishing you were here too (if you don’t live here already!). May it be very soon in our days…. I hope to daven for you at the Holy Wall when I’m in Yerushalayim. Know that you’re very much ‘with me’ as I breathe in the holy air, see the beautiful beach in Netanya, and walk through the beautiful streets of our precious land. May we ALL be here to stay, in good health, with much simcha and much bracha VERY SOON! Thinking of you, Dina Machla.”
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“May we dance together in our precious Holy Land very soon; bli neder, I’ll bring the drums and tap shoes....All the best and sooooooo much thanks for all you are doing on my behalf, Dina Machla Bas Blanche”
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“Just want you to know how much I appreciate ALL that you are doing.... I get updates about the Wednesday night gathering, and it is beyond words..... so many people in your warm and caring home. What better place could there be?!?!?! THANK YOU FROM THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I’m hanging in there, and G-d willing, will try to be in touch with you sooner than later! Much love and thanks, Dina Machla”
Dina Writes to Aish.com
11/11/2002: “Ms. Weber, ‘You Touched My Nesahama,’ too. I give you a big ‘yasher koach’ for bringing out this condition that is too often ‘brushed under the covers. I have often said to those going through these changing events with a loved one, “Treat them in a usual way and don’t ‘talk behind their back, as they may ‘tune in’ for one special moment that you don’t want to miss. In addition, we would never want to hurt their feelings!
“I remember the following story from my childhood: Our special Rabbi Segal, a’h, in Wilmington, North Carolina, consistently visited a congregant, Mr. Finkelstein, who had a stroke and was known to be ‘out of it.’ But Rabbi Segal would go visit him, sing with him, and speak words of Torah with him. One specific visit, the Rabbi started saying the Shema, and Mr. Finkelstein joined in perfectly for that moment, even though he never spoke again. We never know the possibilities for reaching and touching a fellow Jew’s neshama (soul). As one who used to be VERY involved in geriatrics, I say wholeheartedly, NEVER give up, even if the person can’t let us know they appreciate us!”
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2/25/2002: “Just what I needed to read before Purim! You have so eloquently put the subject of baseless hatred into some form of comprehension by saying there really is nothing to comprehend...!! As we enter a day which should be filled with much, much simcha, we MUST remember our brethren, who have left us, just because they are Jews. We must try to honor Hashem and do His will, and pray for Mashiach’s arrival, and be a kiddush Hashem to those in this world and for those in the next. Thank you for sharing your hopes and your tears with us.... may we join hands in simcha in our Holy Land.....VERY SOON!”
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8/23/2001: “Moshiach must be coming!!! Your soul-wrenching article is one that should open our eyes, if they haven’t been opened already. It brought tears to my eyes and deep compassion to my neshama (soul).... May those suffering SO MUCH find comfort through all the pain.... The immigrants from Holland referred to in this article lost both parents and three siblings, a’h, and one of those children mentioned above, who’s in the hospital, is a 10-year-old girl. My friend told me that Ariel Sharon came to visit this child and she told him.... ‘I’m not afraid, I know my parents are okay in heaven and that Mashiach is coming....’ Sharon asked this child, who just lost both parents and three siblings, ‘Is there ANYTHING I can do for you?’ She said, ‘Yes, there’s one thing..... I want you to keep Shabbos!’ Sharon was surprised at this 10-year-old child’s answer, and he said, ‘I don’t know if I can, but I’ll try.’ Sharon was asked the following Shabbos to make a public appearance, and he refused and said, ‘I can’t go, because that young girl asked me to keep Shabbos’..... I’m not saying he’s becoming Shabbos observant (yet!)completely, but if he at least made that first attempt, perhaps we should try to keep Shabbos a little better, a little stronger, and appreciate the words of this most precious child.... May she and all the other Jews that need a refuah (recovery) be blessed with whatever they need, and may we greet Mashiach, each and every one of us, THIS WEEK! Have a spiritual and blessed Shabbos.....”
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8/27/2001: “Your huge mitzva brought many tears to my eyes! Ms. Khotim, I congratulate YOU for doing what most of us would not have...paying a ‘shiva call’ to someone we don’t know. You have more courage and compassion than you probably realize, and we can ALL learn from you! I have sat shiva for both of my parents and found it most difficult. I didn’t want to talk about their illnesses or their deaths to (in most cases) people that didn’t know them, and even to those who did. I just wanted to ‘sit in silence’ and just see a friendly face or get a warm hug from those I’m closest to....What my parents and I shared is personal and deep in memories, that most of my wonderful kehila (community) could not relate to or understand. I commend you and thank you for representing all of us who would not have had the nerve to do your VERY BIG mitzva. I’m sure you gave Shoshana’s mother a great deal of comfort. Again, thanks for doing a beautiful mitzva, for all of us!”
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7/8/2001: “Thank you for sharing this simple yet profound story about our beloved Rosh Hayeshiva, z’tl, on his second yahrtzeit. I am zocheh to have a relationship with his precious Rebbetzin, til 120 years, please G-d, who constantly and consistently makes me realize what a ‘unit’ they were and still are. She can’t do or give enough for klal Yisrael. She is called upon to speak and share her deep insights (that she shared with the Rosh Hayeshiva) with communities all around the country. She is ALWAYS available to give and give and give, bli ayin hara. She continues in sharing her husband’s ideals with all of us honored to know and love her. I know her neverending mitzvos are a big zechus for the Rosh Hayeshiva’s memory.”
Dina Blaustein
by Pam Kanter
This article is about Dina Machla bas Eliezer. It is not about Dina stories. We all have our personal stories about Dina. This article is about the friend that I knew, the friend that I loved. Dina Machla was a tzniusdik (modest) person full of integrity, emes (truth), and love. I never heard her speak a word of lashon hara. Nor would she stand for denigrating any group. She lived her life as a true servant of Hashem. To incorporate Hashem into her life was her goal. She accomplished that goal.
As most of us know, Dina established many important and helpful organizations during her lifetime. This in itself was a great accomplishment. But the true, bigger, and more important accomplishment was her devotion, commitment, and giving of herself in running each of these organizations.
Dina was a very private person. Private people have a tendency to do things themselves. They analyze situations that come their way. This was how Dina handled life situations. She would perceive a problem, think about it, digest it, work it out in her mind or with daas Torah, then come to a conclusion and act on it. Everything was worked out and handled. She was a doer. She never wanted to depend on other people to help her.
Dina looked at people with total pleasure. Dina loved all of her friends. When someone loves a person as much as Dina loved her friends, they try to protect them from sorrow, pain, and anything negative. Dina’s being private and not sharing her illness was her way of protecting those she loved.
Hakaras hatov (gratitude) was very much a part of Dina. Even in her darkest times, she was always appreciative. She never lost that midda (quality).
To sum up, we could all learn a lot from Dina Machla. It doesn’t matter what a person tells us or doesn’t tell us about their private life. What is important is the love that person gives and leaves behind. That is Dina’s legacy: her love for friends and for klal Yisrael. Let’s return that love by doing what Dina stood for, being true servants of HaShem.
In Memory of Dina Blaustein
by Rebecca Chesner
Dear Dina,
I heard the sad news early this morning that you had passed away. I have been struggling to hold back the tears ever since, but they still keep coming. I had heard you were sick a while back but that you really didn’t want everybody fussing over you, so you kind of kept a low profile about it, and I kept you in my prayers. Then I saw you at that Gush Katif fundraising event recently. You looked good, I thought. It was great to see you playing the drums again with your band, Encore. I really enjoyed it so much that night. I had to leave a little early and meant to call you and let you know how much I enjoyed the performance. I don’t remember if we actually did speak afterwards, but that is the last image of you I have in my mind.
I know music was such a big part of your life, and I admired you for starting the first women’s band in Baltimore. I would always look forward to your yearly performances, especially the one where you used to raise funds for the poor in Israel in memory of your parents. When some dear friends and I started our own band, you were so supportive, and would come down to hear us and help us out with the sound, giving us constructive advice, etc. I’ll never forget those kumsitzes, when you used to bring your bongos and play. Whenever you couldn’t make it, I was so disappointed, because you always added so much to the group.
There is more that I want to say, because your life wasn’t only about music. There are times when a soul is sent down to this earth on a special mission, and it does not always include getting married and having children. Dina, you had a special presence. You made me want to be a better person. You made me want to strive for more. You didn’t have to say anything, but when I was with you, I was very careful about the laws of lashon hara. When I was with you, I was more careful about the laws of tznius.
Whenever I called you to tell you about an upcoming event, I looked forward to hearing your spiritual messages on the answering machine, and I would hang up with a smile as that familiar voice wished everyone a day filled with simcha, bracha, and mazal.
I am overwhelmed with grief now over your passing but I will never forget you and the many chesed projects you were involved in, in your discreet kind of way. I was a recipient of one of them, when you came to watch my children one night as I was rushed to the hospital to give birth to my third son. You had come by a few days earlier just to introduce yourself to my kids so that they shouldn’t get scared seeing a new babysitter in the home. Thank you for everything. I am sure I am just aware of a mere fraction of the kindnesses you bestowed on people around the world. I will miss you, and it was an honor to know you and be one of your friends.
After writing these thoughts down, I attended your levaya, which was filled to capacity with so many other people in the community whose lives you had touched. As several rabbanim spoke about your life, I realized I was not the only one who felt such deep admiration for you. Your dedication to Yiddishkeit and your love for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel was an inspiration to all of us. In your modest and discreet way, you had a profound influence on so many lives. I was particularly comforted when I heard they were bringing you home to be buried in Eretz Yisrael on Har Hamenuchot in the majestic hills of Jerusalem, a fitting place for a true bat Yisrael with extraordinary character.
Rest in peace, my friend.
