Tzipporah Rossman is 19 years old and grew up in Monsey, NY. This coming summer she plans to Be”h make Aliyah. Hedva Tirschwell is 18 years old and grew up in Boca Raton, FL, recently her family moved to Teaneck. They are both currently studying in Israel for the year.
Hedva and Tzipporah grew up in different states in the USA; they had never met each other until 11th grade when both Tzipporah and Hedva decided to spend the summer learning at NCSY’s Michlelet summer program in Israel. Over the summer Tzipporah and Hedva became friendly. Do to the fact that Hedva and Tzipporah lived in separate states however (NY and Florida), it was difficult to keep in contact and after the summer and they stopped keeping in touch.
Two years later both Tzipporah and Hedva graduated from their respective high schools and both decided to spend the year leaning in a seminary in Israel known as Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim. The two now live in the same dormitory and have become good friends.
It was during one of the Shabbat meals when Tzipporah and Hedva found out that in fact they had shared a rich heritage. Here is how it happened according to Tzipporah.
“At one of the Shabbat meals Hedva and I were sitting across from each other. Everyone at the table was talking, and someone said something like “everything’s relatives,”. I made a comment that in one of my classes I learned something that was quoted from my great great great great grandfather, the Wurzberger Rav. My friends didn’t know who he was and asked, so I said his name was Rav Yitzchak Dov Haleivi Bamberger. Hedva then shot up and said, “WAIT, I’m related to Bamberger’s”. So I responded, “Maybe were related, I have a book at home with all of his decedents”. Hedva then said “I also have a[The Bamberger Family] book”. One of the staff members who were sitting at the table and had heard what had happened, quieted the whole room, and said Tzipporah and Hedva have just discovered something that they would like to tell everyone!!!!! “
They then shared the connection
with all those present and added:
“Those close to you are closer
than you thought!!!”
On the left is Tzipporah Rossman, and on the right is Hedva Tirschwell. This Picture was taken at The Valley of Communities, located in Yad Vashem, where Tzipporah and Hedva found the community of there Great Great Great Great Grandfather, The Wurzberger Rav.
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Calling all Descendants:
Do you have a story you would like to share? The descendants of the Wurzberger Rav are all around Israel and around the world. Where is your family? What do you do? Send the story of your family to thebambergerfamily@gmail.com
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Will the generations that come next also have a book like Tzipporah and Hedva have? Send in your families updated information to make sure your branch is up to date!
