
ONE WOMAN, FOR THOUSANDS OF WOMEN
Mrs Malky Weinberger a’’h
If a picture says a thousand words, a picture of the audience at Malky Weinberger a’’h’s recent sheloshim event would speak volumes.
The thousands of women streaming into the hall, to pay tribute to a single legendary woman who was there for them in their most vulnerable hours, were testimony to the monumental impact Malky Weinberger had on the Stamford Hill community.
Over the 28 years that she devoted herself to helping mothers bring yiddisher kinder into this world, she brought untold relief, comfort and practical support in a way that few can match.
It wasn’t just her voice, it wasn’t just her warmth, nor was it just her intuition. Of course it was all of that, but above all, it was her presence. Malky had an aura about her, that when she was there, in the cold hospital corridors, everyone just felt at ease.
Even the doctors and midwives felt reassured having her in the room. She made their job easier. So much easier, in fact, that the Homerton team, are dedicating a room for the labour supports’ equipment in Malky’s memory. They feel indebted to her. They too are at a loss.
When time was of essence and Malky sensed an emergency, she would summon Hatzola at home. As often as twice a week, she’d be tending to a patient on the front lines alongside Hatzola.
She was truly one of a kind.
Malky, as she was affectionately known by young and old, often said that if she would collate her experiences into a book, the cover photo would be her husband lighting Shabbos lecht. She was regularly absent from the Shabbos table, tending to mothers-to-be in the heilige spirit of Shifra and Puah.
But never did her beloved family miss out. There was always hot supper, fresh challos, yom tov delicacies on the table.
Nothing was compromised. Everything was maximised. Because being a labour support was part of the fabric of her life. So she planned her day accordingly.
In her humble way, she touched an immeasurable number of people. Even when she was unwell a few years ago, she continued at it — only now it was doubly draining. And she did this 24/7/365.
It’s fair to say about Malky, “Never was so much owed by so many to...one.”
Let’s help the Weinberger family eternalise their mother’s legacy, by contributing to the fitting dedication of a wing in the lifesaving Hatzola headquarters.
We owe it to Malky. We owe it to her family.