Our grandmother, Sarah Richter, was suddenly taken from us on January 27 – kaf zayin Teves. Bubby Sarah, as she was lovingly known, evokes the image of a woman larger than life. She exemplified the qualities of a baalas bitachon on the highest level, combined with a simchas ha’chayim, and a stunning ability to connect with friends and family alike, on a warm and personal level.
As a little girl growing up under the darkening skies of wartime Europe, young Sarah Laufer turned to her parents for guidance, trying to make sense of the chaos and horror surrounding her world. For a time, her loving family managed to cushion the blows, but soon they were forced into hiding, and Sarah’s world was plunged into darkness. It wasn’t long before Sarah’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, and finally her father disappeared, never to be heard from again. Soon, it was just Sarah and her younger brother, along with their very young but valiant mother, who left to fight for survival.
With incredible strength and courage, Sarah’s mother refused to give up hope, and raised her children singlehandedly amid squalid and depressing conditions. The challenges didn’t end with liberation either, as Sarah’s mother struggled to find stability for her children in a world still reeling from death and destruction.
Born on March 15, 1937, in Halicz – an area popularly known as Galicia – Poland, Bubby Sarah was the cherished daughter of Shimon and Frida Laufer. Halicz was an idyllic place, and it was there that Bubby spent her first four and a half years, in contentment, happiness, and delight, discovering the lovely world that Hashem granted to human beings. Yet, at the tender age of four and a half, her safe and secure world came crashing down. Bubby, together with her parents and her young brother, our Uncle Danny Laufer, were forced into hiding with the noble gentiles Mr. and Mrs. Plotkowski. The Plotkowskis agreed to transform the hayloft of their stable into a shelter. However, this was only a temporary reprieve. Initially, the Plotkowskis thought Bubby’s family’s stay would be brief, but with no end in sight to the war, they began to fear for themselves and their children, as gentiles were often beaten for concealing Jews. Eventually, Bubby’s father was forced to leave to find a new location for the family. Three long and painful weeks passed with no word from him. Tragically, his body was later found in the forest. Bubby recalled crying for days, yet finding strength in her mother’s unwavering faith. It was only through the unwavering hope and encouragement of Bubby’s mother, Mrs. Frida Laufer, that Bubby found the strength to continue. Bubby’s survival was marked by hardship, turmoil, and suffering, but through it all, she carried with her emunah, hope, and an unwavering belief that liberation would come and the Yidden would prevail.
Despite the unimaginable hardships of her early years, Bubby Sarah’s story is not only one of survival, but of resilience, strength, and the unwavering faith that would define the rest of her life. As she rebuilt her world, she carried with her deep gratitude, simchas ha’chayim, and an unwavering commitment to spreading love and Torah wherever she went.
Bubby, together with her mother and brother, eventually made it to the safe shores of America, leaving behind the tragedies and horrors of war-torn Europe and their personal deep and painful losses. It was here that we continued to witness the emunah and bitachon of Bubby’s mother, qualities that Bubby Sarah embodied and lovingly passed down to future generations.
Just a few weeks ago, Bubby’s great-granddaughter had the privilege of interviewing her, unaware that it would be their final conversation. Bubby was asked, “What message would you want me (your great-granddaughter) to remember from all your difficulties during the war?” Bubby answered with her solid and powerful belief in HaKadosh Baruch Hu: “We should always know that HaKadosh Baruch Hu is with us. We may have nisyonos, but Hashem is always with us. From my own mother, especially during those months that she was alone in the hayloft with the two of us, she never gave up emunah and bitachon that one day we would be liberated.”
It was this rock-solid emunah that stayed with Bubby throughout the rest of her life. No matter the situation, her constant refrain was, “Hodu laShem ki tov, Hashem is so kind to me, HaKadosh Baruch Hu knows what’s best.” Additionally, she always hoped and waited with true expectancy for the g’ulah sh’leimah. It was a message she consistently shared with us all – that she was awaiting the true g’ulah, with the bias go’eil tzedek. We can still hear the echo of these precious mantras that regularly rang from her lips.
It is surreal to write about you, our beloved Bubby, as if you are no longer here. In our mind’s eye, you are so alive and passionate. We envision ourselves entering your home, where you are sitting, and we see your eyes light up as you notice us and our children coming close. We spend time enjoying each other’s company until we bid farewell... As we shake ourselves back to reality, we are hit hard with the present: Bubby, you are no longer with us and have already bid your final farewell. Yet, Bubby, your rich legacy lives on – the seeds you planted have blossomed and continue to grow. May we continue to make you proud, until we are reunited eternally, b’vias go’eil tzedek, bimheirah b’yameinu, Amein.
By Her Grandchildren
