Bella Brokha Chervatskaya Obituary (1927 - 2021)

Bella Brokha Chervatskaya, 94, of Erie, PA, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2021, at St. Vincent Medical Center, due to complications of COVID that fiercely and quickly consumed her. In her final hours, she was surrounded by family, some present in person, some virtually. Bella was grateful for the presence of clear mind to her last breath. She was able to speak her wishes and say her goodbyes, and her final hours were free of pain and suffering. Bella was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and dear friend. Only if the heart could speak would it be possible to accurately portray Bella, her life story, and her impact on this world. Bella means beautiful, Brokha means blessing - Beautiful Blessing. A name so fitting for our gentle, wise, vibrant, hard-working, peace-making, strong matriarch and family glue. Bella was born on July 24, 1927, in Kiev, Ukraine, to Basya and Lazar Kushnirevich. As a child, she cared for her sister and mom, who adored her as much as she adored them. On November 1, 1948, she gave her whole heart to her childhood sweetheart, forever best friend and husband of 73 years, Boris Chervatskiy, who cherished and guarded it with all his might, for every moment of their life together. Bella and Boris are truly Beshert, soulmates or destiny. Theirs is a story of pure love, friendship, loyalty. They had two children, Ludmila and Michael, and with their own hands built a home in Korosten, Ukraine, where they lived until 1991. Bella was radiant in every way, shining light and optimism in the best and hardest times. She was always a soft touch, comforting smile, genuine words, warm embrace when needed most. She had the ability and desire to bring people together. Her heart, always open and welcoming, as was her kitchen full of her specialties (and family favorites). Her willingness to recite, in multiple languages and from memory, beautiful poetry and songs and share stories of her life, all which she dreamed would live on through her growing family. Bella unapologetically dedicated every day of her life and every ounce of her energy to unconditionally loving, supporting and nurturing her family which grew to four generations. Her last wish was for her family to always be at peace with each other. She often said "a turbulent peace is better than a quiet war," meaning, relationships don't have to be perfect, nor do people, but family connection is important; forgive, grow from each challenge, talk through problems and let go of pettiness. She lived what she preached, always keeping an open mind, ready to give someone else the win if it meant peace and approaching each situation with kindness and fairness. Bella did not live an easy life, surviving WWII and famine, heartbreak of loved ones that departed before their time, including her mother (who died of cancer) and sister (who died of diabetes). In 1991, Bella and Boris immigrated to Erie, PA in the USA. Bella, being the optimist she was, focused not on the sacrifice of leaving the stability of life in Ukraine at the age of 65, but on the opportunities that such a journey would bring to her family. She and Boris quickly became active and dedicated members of Temple Anshe Hesed of Erie, PA. They found acceptance, love and comfort in Erie's Jewish Community. They learned English, worked, and helped raise their grandchildren. They successfully created a full life, overcoming and rising above any challenges. Perhaps one of the most incredible gifts that Bella had to offer was hope. She believed that better times are always ahead, that it is possible to get through even the toughest times and that we are stronger than any challenge in our path. Despite the large void Bella's passing leaves in our hearts, Bella would want us to have hope that memories of the good times will outshine the tremendous grief her absence brings. It is said that "Just as there is a way to live as a Jew, there is also a way to die and be buried as a Jew." Bella and Boris found ways to live as Jews even when it was unpopular, dangerous and seemed impossible. They saw it as a blessing and a responsibility. They passed the importance of Jewish tradition and love for Judaism on to their family. As in life, Bella reached for ways to live as a Jew, and so in death we reached for a way for her to be buried as a Jew. The family would like to thank Chevra Kadisha of Cleveland, OH and Temple Anshe Hesed of Erie, PA for their great mitzvah of preparing the body for burial and sending her off according to Jewish tradition as she wished. Chevra Kadisha will purify her body according to Jewish tradition and dress it in white pure garments made up of twelve pieces, which are identical for each Jew, and symbolizes the garments worn by the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). Bella was no doubt greeted in her perfect place by those loved ones who preceded her in death: mother (Basya), sister (Manya), niece (Nina), and brother-in-law (Lazar). Bella is survived by her husband (Boris), daughter Ludmila Kaplan (Greg), son Michael Chervatskiy (Vera), granddaughters Yelena Kaplan (Ana Fluke), Irina Chervatskaya, Marina Goldshmidt, Shayna Van Damia (John), great grandchildren Abigail Diesatnikov, Isabella Goldshmidt, Hannah Goldshmidt, Leah Van Damia and one on the way, nephews Damian Chulskiy (Marina), Alex Sherman (Nina, deceased), great nephews/nieces Michael Sherman, Karina Sherman (Alex), Valeriy Chulskiy (Jaime), Yuriy Chulskiy (Christina), and great-grandnephews/nieces Jacob Kogan, Maria Kogan, David Sherman, Aaron Chulskiy, Brady Chulskiy, and Charlotte Chulskiy. The family would like to specifically thank Shahnoza Alieva for her extraordinary care and love every day, as well as the many other people in the community who cared for Bella. The family gives them their greatest gratitude. Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation at Temple Anshe Hesed, 5401 Old Zuck Road, Erie, PA 16506, on Wednesday, November 17, from 10 am until the time of services at 11 am. The service will be live-streamed and can be viewed by clicking the link provided here http://bit.ly/TAHServices Following the service, a precession will lead mourners for final prayers to Temple Anshe Hesed Cemetery located at 624 W 26th St, Erie, PA 16508. Parking is limited to what is available on surrounding streets. Bella Brokha. Our Beautiful Blessing. A Beautiful Blessing which God gave to us for what seems to not have been enough time, even after 94 years. May her memory be a blessing. CLICK HERE TO PRINT THIS PAGE SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA OR EMAIL