The Surfside condo collapse in Florida has left families around the world devastated as they mourn the loss of loved ones. Of the 150 people believed missing, over 90 have now been confirmed as deceased.
Two of the confirmed deceased are 66-year-old Itty Ainsworth and her husband, Tzvi Ainsworth. Despite this tragic loss, the immediate family of Itty and Tzvi have found a beautiful way to keep their lives relevant.
On July 13, Itty's son, Dovy Ainsworth, shared on social media that his wife Sheva gave birth to a daughter on June 23, the day before the condo collapsed. Dovy and Sheva found a beautiful way to honor Itty: naming their daughter after her.
Dovy also wrote that the Israel Defense Forces general who helped search for his mother and father was present at his daughter's naming ceremony:
"We were honored to have the IDF general responsible for my parents search efforts attend the torah reading and naming ceremony, it was a powerful moment and Jewish experience to bring a new soul into this world days after one has departed."
Dovy's daughter was named as the family sat shiva for her grandparents, which makes the moment particularly impactful.
"The naming done during the shiva period, is a merit for the departed and mourning and we should all receive those blessings," Dovy said. "My daughter should follow in my mother’s ways, connecting deeply with so many around the world in a positive, uplifting, and spiritual way."
He concluded his message by thanking the general: "Thank you Col. Golan Vach and the IDF, whom have been critically helpful and comforting through this process, General Vach is a special soul we will never forget."
Shiva is a Jewish period of mourning that typically lasts seven days. Family members of the deceased abstain from going to work and school during the time, and they generally wear a torn piece of black cloth or black clothing to show they are in a period of mourning.
Jewish naming ceremonies are often quite short. Traditionally, boys who are circumcised are named within eight days of their birth, whereas boys who are not circumcised and girls can be named anytime in the two to three weeks that follow their births.