“Shetizku livnos bayis ne’eman b’Yisrael – May you merit to build a loyal Jewish home.” It’s the ultimate bracha at a vort, a chasana, and a bris. But do those of us who receive this blessing fully appreciate the ko’ach (power) within it? This article is in tribute to a woman whose upbringing would not have foretold the fulfillment of this beautiful bracha. It was through her life decisions that the bracha’s power came into full force and was actualized in her progeny.

It is my privilege to pay homage to my mother-in-law, Dena Lerner Gerber a’h, an ardent WIT student, a devoted member of Suburban Orthodox, and a dedicated volunteer with Meals on Wheels until her passing on March 10, 2019 at the age of 92. Woven into the fabric of the Baltimore Jewish community, Dena Lerner Gerber was zochah to be an actively involved matriarch of four generations of “batim ne’emanim b’Yisrael”.