For Eva this Passover,

 I was going to share some thoughts of my own with you this Passover.

I love this festival, despite the Matzah!

I love the cleaning of my home, performed in slow reflection, all the while knowing that transformation is most possible at this time of year.

I love knowing that we are able to liberate ourselves from whatever we are in bondage to; relationships, addictions, behaviors or ideas...

This Passover is different.

And instead I give you the words of Chava (Eva) Sandler of Toulouse to guide you...

"My heart is broken. I am unable to speak. There are no ways for me to express the great and all-consuming pain resulting from the murder of my dear husband Rabbi Jonathan and our sons, Aryeh and Gavriel, and of Miriam Monsonego, daughter of the dedicated principal of Ozar Hatorah and his wife, Rabbi Yaakov and Mrs Monsonego.

May no one ever have to endure such pain and suffering.

Because so many of you, my cherished brothers and sisters in France and around the world, are asking what you can do on my behalf, on behalf of my daughter Liora and on behalf of the souls of my husband and children, I feel that, difficult as it may be, it is encumbant upon me to answer your entreaties.

My husband's life was dedicated to teaching Torah. We moved back to the country of his birth to help young people learn about the beauty of Torah. He was truly a good man, loving, giving and selfless, always searching for ways in which to reveal the goodness in others.

He and I raised Aryeh and Gavriel to live the ways of Torah. Who would have known how short would be their time on this earth, how short would be the time I would be with them as their mother?

I don't know how my husband's parents and sister will find the consolation and strength to carry on, but I know that the ways of G-d are good and He will reveal the path and give us the strength to continue. I know that their holy souls will remain with us forever, and I know that very soon the time will come when we will be together again with the coming of the Moshiach.

I wholeheartedly believe in the verse' The L-ord has given, and the L-ord has taken away, blessed be the Name of the L-ord." I thank the Almighty for the privilege, short though it was, of raising my children together with my husband. Now the Almighty wants them back with Him.

To all those who wish to bring consolation to our family and contentment to the souls of the departed: Let's continue their lives on this earth.

Parents, please kiss your children. Tell them how much you love them, and how dear it is to your heart that they be living examples of our Torah, imbued with the fear of Heaven and with love of their fellow man.

Please increase your study of Torah, whether on your own or with your family and friends. Help others who may find study difficult to achieve alone.

The holiday of Passover is approaching. Please invite another person into your homes so that all have a place at a Seder to celebrate the holiday of our freedom.


Please bring more light into the world by kindling the Sabbath candles this and every Friday night..."

"The spirit of the Jewish people can never be extinguished; it's connection with Torah and it's commandments can never be destroyed.

May it be G-d's will that from this moment on, we will all only know happiness.

I send my heartfelt condolences to the Mosonego family for the loss of their daughter Miriam, and I pray for the recovery of Aharon ben Leah, who was injured in the attack.

Thank you for your support and love,

Chava (Eva) Sandler."

xxx elle