Dear Friends and family:
As many of you know it was just the 20th anniversary of Steven's death. It is still so hard to believe and difficult to live with having lost him. It was such a joy to hear from many of you who expressed missing him, loving him and sorrow he left much too soon. As well, those who knew about it, participated in a long distance Pizza Party for him on June 15th. I received so many beautiful E Mails and photos of people eating Pizza in many States in America including Hawaii, London and Croatia.
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A pizza party in Steven's Garden organized by some of the local Safed residents and friends of Tamar.
One way I have coped with Steven's death is by creating a memorial garden - STEVEN'S GARDEN - in Safed, Israel where I was living shortly after he died. My beloved friend, Tamar Bittelman, of blessed memory inspired me to create a garden. Her husband, Noach, dug the first beds and Tamar did weekly activities with the children for the year she lived in Safed. As well, only a short while ago the children in her class chose to donate their tzedeka money to Steven's Garden. One of her students purchased and planted a lemon tree in the garden when she and her mom came to Israel.
Many beloved friends have taken care of the Garden since I moved to Jerusalem, but no one has ever put the love and heart into it as Tamar did. As well, people got busy and the Garden was beginning to get run down. I would never want something memorializing Steven not to reflect his beauty. So, I did a major renovation in Steven's Garden in honor of the 20th anniversary of his death. I hired a Gardener to do a major clean-up, planted beautiful new plants and flowers, installed a new watering system, had the mural re-painted, and have hired someone to take care of the Garden weekly.
We are in need of some contributions in order to have a new plaque/sign designed and manufactured, and to pay a professional gardener to maintain it.The garden is in need of tools and supplies, a lighting system so that people can see and sit in the garden in the evening, and two new benches. The present sign is falling apart and I would like to reword the sign at this time and also honor my dear friend Tamar who passed away in February. Tamar inspired me to create a children's garden. It will read as follows:
STEVEN’S GARDEN
May 6, 1968-June 15, 1994
This garden is a memorial to Steven Levine, cherished son, brother and friend.
Steven 's vibrant spirit, passion for life and radiant smile captivated us all.
He loved and is loved -- eternally in our hearts.
With love and gratitude, we honor Tamar Bittelman, of blessed memory (English dates of life and death),
Whose vision inspired the creation of Steven's Garden. For the year Tamar lived in Safed, she lovingly did educational gardening activities with the local children every week.
Established in May 1996 as a children's organic garden, Steven's Garden has become a calming oasis of green among the stones of Safed.
The Levine Family
The sign needs to be printed in both English and Hebrew. I found a wonderful graphic designer here in Jerusalem who will design it. I saw a sign he designed and it was beautiful. He works with a sign maker up North, which is perfect since the garden is up North. He told me what I already knew, there are very few good sign makers in Israel, but the people he uses are the best. So, he designs the sign and the sign people make it. They use a very costly material for the sign that can endure the Israeli weather.
A small contribution would be giving a gift of love to Steven and Tamar.
With love and gratitude,
Shirel Levine
LISTEN TO SHIREL INTEVIEWED ON RADIO FREE NACHLAOT ABOUT STEVEN'S GARDEN: http://radiofreenachlaot.blogspot.com/2014/08/s...