At her birthday party, Chaya was not her usual feisty self. She looked listlessly at the cake and party favors nothing could entice her. Within three days, the doctors found a tumor and she was in emergency surgery.

For eight months Chaya Mushka valiantly fought her illness. She struggled to be the three year old girl in the beautiful dress proudly lighting Shabbat candles. She battled for the chance to become the young woman pausing the whirlwind of her life to light the candles and usher in a day of peace and the loving mother, standing with her own daughter, lighting the Shabbat candles for her family.

But it was not to be. Chaya Mushka’s life was fully lived, complete, but for us it was too short. On the fourth night of Chanukah, 5770 (2009), Chaya Mushka’s unblemished soul departed. Our hearts are shattered. We miss her terribly.

Chaya Mushka cannot light her candle, share her prized toy with her sister, or make another picture for her father. Throughout her short life, Chaya Mushka did things—she learned, she loved, she gave to others. Now she no longer can. But we could.

Chaya Mushka’s life was a gift. Everyone who met her was drawn to her intense love for life, her fierce insistence to live every moment to the fullest. And in her struggle against her illness, she inspired thousands throughout the world to do good deeds in her merit.

Chaya Mushka never allowed herself to be defined by her illness. No matter the condition of her physical body, she was defiantly herself, her sparkling personality shining through. Just days before her passing, her eyes closed in her hospital bed, she lay stringing beads for her mother.

Chaya Mushka taught us, by example, that every moment is precious. Through her inspiration, she can live for many more moments. Every time we do a mitzvah in honor of Chaya Mushka, we bring merit to Chaya Mushka’s soul and give to the world around us.
Please keep giving to Chaya Mushka and let her give to us. If you accepted a mitzvah in her lifetime, thank you. Your deeds and concern gave Chaya Mushka strength every day of her life. Don’t forget your mitzvah; instead add something extra. If you have not yet had the chance to do so, please take upon yourself a mitzvah for Chaya Mushka. It can be lighting Shabbat candles, learning Torah, or affixing a mezuzah. As Chaya Mushka showed us, the opportunities for mitzvot are infinite, and present themselves to us at every moment. Choose one, or several, that you will perform in honor of Chaya Mushka bat Yitzchok.

This will be her gift to us and our gift to her, and, like the memory of her laughter and the love in our hearts, will last forever.