16 Whalepond Road, neighbored directly next to “Sha’are Tefillah”, or “Eatontown Shul”, is where you’ll find the brand new Jherin Esther Gorcey Mikveh. The story of its construction is one of heartfelt prayers, bitter tears, and incredible miracles. Let us take a look into how this miracle Mikveh has alas made it to its final stages of completion, and recognize the miraculous hand of Gd throughout the entire way.
Remembering Jherin A”H (March 2, 1995 – April 27, 2011)
Those who knew, or have even heard of the name ‘Jherin Gorcey’, are well aware that she exemplified the very epitome of true faith and trust in Hashem. When we think back at her short life, it becomes ever so clear that Jherin was here to “spread the word”. We discover that she was here to strengthen, encourage, and infuse the masses with the message of faith and trust in the Almighty.
Bitachon is what we need,
Emunah is what we gain,
The trust and love we have for him,
Must empower all our pain…
Emunah is what we gain,
The trust and love we have for him,
Must empower all our pain…
These are words excerpted from an elegy so eloquently written by Jherin herself, entitled “Emunah”. Words that she lived by, and a lesson she spread to so many, both here and abroad.
Steadfast in her commitment to influence and inspire, Jherin gathered countless girls together for Torah classes in her home. She invited all girls, regardless of the school they were attending, their background, or religious level. Jherin was on a mission, and any form of profiling was no obstacle. Girls from Hillel, Ilan, the Deal Bet Yaakob, public schools, colleges, and more, all came to take part in the many classes given at the Gorcey home. They shared one common reason for attending: They loved Jherin Gorcey.
Although her mission and campaign to light up a dark world was progressing at full force, it was brought to an abrupt halt on the 24th of Nisan, when the precious soul of Jherin Esther Bat Rachel was returned to its maker. She was buried in Israel, just two hours before Shabbat.
As we’ll soon learn, although Jherin had physically left us, her campaign was far from over.
The Idea Is Born
Following the sheloshim, Jherin’s mother, Mrs. Rachel Gorcey was approached by members of the Eatontown Community, who suggested dedicating the future Mikveh of Eatontown Shul in Jherin’s memory. Rachel entertained the thought, and agreed to the proposal. It was not long before she felt it was indeed her mission to build this Mikveh, and refused to let anything stand in her way of initiating the new project.
Rachel visited numerous Rabbis who cautioned that building a mikveh is truly the holiest project one can undertake, and will therefore be a most difficult journey toward completion. “It is an undertaking that the Yetzer Hara will surely do his best to interfere with,” she was warned, “As it is the very holiest thing to bring to fruition”. Eager to move forward, there was nothing that would stop Mrs. Gorcey and her family now.
Although excited and inspired to bring this dream to life, Rachel and her husband, Dr. Steven Gorcey, were clueless as to how to proceed. “How do you build a mikveh?” they thought. “”Who do we call? Where do we start?” the mere thought of fundraising the project was all too foreign. In the words of Mrs. Gorcey, “The months that followed became a story of a lot of tefillot, a lot of tears, a lot of aggravation, and a lot of miracles.”
With the help of close friends, including one particular individual, who served as the driving force behind the project, the plans began to commence. In due time, funds were raised, a team was hired, and the construction commenced.
Get That Check!
Three years later, as months of continued construction persevered, funds for the Jherin Gorcey Mikveh were dwindling –and fast. Workers were now awaiting payment, and a hefty sum was due.
With his wife’s request, Dr. Gorcey turned to the project’s greatest benefactor in hope of a check that would cover the needed balance. Three years earlier, as Rachel began her fundraising campaign, she was approached by a gentleman (who prefers his name be kept anonymous) who generously pledged to contribute large donations both before construction, and after the buildings completion.
In utter desperation, Dr. Gorcey placed the call, explaining that there were simply no funds to move forward, and that a large payment was soon due. He wasn’t surprisd by the answer he received. The donor pledged to contribute before, and only after the Mikveh’s completion; and that was the way things were going to stay.
It was a tough reality to face, though reality indeed. He reminisced on all the work that’s been completed thus far… All of the tears and prayers, he wondered if this was truly the end of their long and difficult journey.
Dr. Gorcey was examining a close patient when she noticed the look of despair on his face.
“Doctor, what’s wrong?” she asked. Typically a positive and upbeat individual, she knew there had to be something wrong.
Dr. Gorcey poured out his misfortune to the non-religious Ashkenazi woman. He shared the details of the current, unfortunate situation. After her appointment, the Doctor prepared to leave his practice, only to face his wife with the discouraging news.
Inspired by the story of Jherin’s life, and fascinated by the concept of a mikveh and family purity, the woman, whom we’ll refer to as R.E for privacy purposes, wanted to take part in the development of the mikveh. She reached deep into her purse, and pulled out her checkbook. “Don’t worry,” she said, as she filled out a check, “Here are the necessary funds to pay your workers”.
Dr. Gorcey came home announcing he had good news to share.
“He gave us a check?!” asked an enthusiastic Rachel Gorcey.
“I didn’t have any luck with so-and-so, but yes, I did get a check.”
He told his wife the incredible story that took place at work that day, just a few hours before Shabbat. She was overjoyed to have received the large donation, but what really moved her was knowing there was such a special person out there. ‘A Jewess, totally unfamiliar with her religion, let alone the idea of a mikveh, that was willing to help another person in need?’ The thought alone brought her to tears, and she was determined to call her with the conclusion of Shabbat.
And so she did. That Saturday night, Rachel placed a call to R.E, pouring out her deepest thanks to the kind woman. “I am so moved,” she began, “We are so grateful for people like you.” She assured the woman that she was indeed part of a very holy project. “May your kindness and generosity be with you forever”.
R.E.’s reply was true testimony to her hidden righteousness. She told Mrs. Gorcey how she was in fact Jewish, but had never immersed in a mikveh in her life. She confided that she never had any children, and wants nothing more than to take part in the great misva of building a mikveh. “I want to help the Jewish people,” she said, “It is my greatest honor and pleasure to contribute; it’s truly all my pleasure”.
As their conversation seemed to come to a close, R.E. had one request. She wanted to know more about Jherin. “When I have time,” she began, “I would love to come see pictures of Jherin… to see where she lived, and how she grew up. It would really mean a lot to me.” Mrs. Gorcey was happy to comply, and invited the woman to her home.
After welcoming her newfound friend, the two went through pictures of Jherin, browsed her bedroom, and remembered Jherin’s kindness and love of life. R.E. was inspired and said she felt nothing short of blessed to elevate Jherin’s soul.
A Very Special Message… From Jherin
Weeks later, Rachel received a call from R.E., who had some incredible news to share. Anything would have been less surprising than what she was about to hear. “I had a dream,” she began. “A most clear, vivid dream… It was about Jherin. Do you mind if I come over?” A nearly speechless Rachel Gorcey was quick to consent, and it was not long before the two sat side by side at Mrs. Gorcey’s kitchen table.
In her dream, she explained how Jherin approached her at a beach, greeting her with a big smile. R.E lived by the ocean, though it was certainly not a beach near her home, nor a shoreline she’d ever visited before. Jherin told to her to come join as she sat watching the waves crash upon the jetties.
“I want to thank you for helping my mother with the mikveh,” Jherin started, “You did such a wonderful thing.” She then told her of the importance and beauty of a mikveh. She expressed its significance and holiness. “This mikveh is going to change the whole community,” she foretold.
“Tell mom I love everything about the mikveh, and that I was with her every time she made a decision. Throughout everything she did –and on all the details she picked, I was with her, and I love all of it.”
“Tell my mother I like those bracelets, that I love them very much.”
“The gold bangles?!” Mrs. Gorcey interrupted, “The four gold bangles I bought her?!”
“No… they were bracelets. As I recall, she said you made her three bracelets… One green, one blue, and one white.”
Rachel went into deep thought, doing her best to recall such bracelets. She ran to Jherin’s room, eagerly pulled opened a draw, and rummaged through Jherin’s belongings. Though there were none to be found. Her guest felt bad for perhaps a false recollection of what was said.
Just then, as she walked out of her daughter’s room she noticed three bracelets on her wrists she so casually slips on every morning. One green, which reads ‘Emuna’, a blue that reads ‘Jherin Gorcey’, and a white reading ‘Stop Lashon Hara’. She nearly fell to the ground –though the dream was far from over.
R.E. continued: “She asked me to tell you how very proud she is of you. She said ‘Tell her the classes given in our home are so great –but we need more! It isn’t enough. There are so many kids off the path of Hashem; So many girls and boys that need guidance.’”
R.E confided that Jherin told her she too needed to ‘get on the right track’. “When I asked her how, she replied, ‘Do not worry, my mother will find a way to help you.’”
Rachel listened on as R.E relayed her daughter’s message, tears being the only response she could offer. What she said next was staggering.
“Tell mom I love her and I’m always with her. The gift she got me on my sixteenth birthday… the bluestone ring - I love it. I want her to have it, and wear it.”
The words were all too intense, Rachel felt faint, and collapsed. Later, after making it back to her senses. Rachel proceed to a safe and pulled out the very bluestone ring she bought for her daughter’s sixteenth birthday. It was put away in a safe for two and a half years, but as Jherin requested, Rachel now wears it proudly.
Get The Message
In the words of Rachel Gorcey, “This small, little mikveh… consists of so much holiness, so much tefillot, so much kavana, so much Yad Hashem, and so much Jherin”. It has been four long years since its conception, and its story, is a story for the ages.
While the details of this exciting account may indeed inspire all who hear or read it, it is important to walk away with the message it so loudly represents: We must strengthen our emunah. This moving story serves as concrete proof that Hashem is in control, and that there is nothing that isn’t known before his heavenly Throne.
For years, Rachel Gorcey wondered, “As an Israel-born citizen of Ashdod, why is it that I am here? For what purpose has Hashem lead me to live here, among the Syrian Community of Eatontown New Jersey?” It was only the passing of her daughter that it all became clear; the puzzle pieces now seemed to fit. She was here, at least partly, to bring Jherin Gorcey to our community. A girl who lived to inspire, and continues to light up our world even after her passing.
It is Dr. Steven and Rachel Gorcey’s wish to encourage a vital message to all who are willing to hear it: Most people will not merit a direct message from heaven, like we just saw. Many will go through life, going about their daily routine, not realizing or acknowledging the smaller messages we receive from Gd every day. We must realize that we are here –not merely for ourselves, but for others. If you love Hashem, you love everyone. We must help other people, to learn and to grow each day.
“The story of our lives is the only thing we take with us, make it a good one.”
