Shulamith Deborah (Sula) Kestenbaum

Sula - Mum- Bobby was born in Hamburg in 1933 to Shimshon Raphael and Lisle (Fiest) Lerner. The great-granddaughter of Shimshon Raphael Hirsch. Her family was considered part of the German aristocracy, and Lisle's family had lived there for hundreds of years. At the age of 3 months, she moved to England, as her father had the foresight to understand the impending disaster. They moved to London, to Golders Green, as part of the Munks community, with her brother, Moshe Menachem (Martin), and Michael Schwartz, who had been fostered and had come on the Kindertransport from Poland. Her father, a lawyer by profession, was considered an enemy alien once the war broke out and was sent to a camp on the Isle of Man. When the doodlebugs started attacking London (the Blitz), they hid under a magnificent grand Bechstein piano. Her mother and her family moved to Dorking, where they lived a rural life in beautiful countryside, Mum milking cows for chalav Yisrael, churning butter, and growing vegetables in their garden. Mum had a beloved dog, Patch. They belonged to a tiny, close-knit Jewish community there. After the war, they returned to London and lived in The Woodlands. Mum attended Hendon High School and then studied teacher training. She taught at Wessex Garden Primary School. Once, on an auspicious Shabbos, her father invited a young American for kiddush - Dad! They married and lived temporarily (nothing as permanent as a temporary arrangement) in Ravenscroft Avenue, Golders Green, and after a few years, her mother passed away. They moved to 30 Armitage Road and had a home open to constant guests, full of yiddishkeit and happiness. They had 6 children: Helen-Leah Rochol, Ruthie, Dovid, Julie, Daniel, and Lisa. Shabbos tables were full, Pessach was a beautiful event, the huge orange kitchen had soup on the stove, and "Lisa biscuits" in the cupboards. The kitchen was a hub of friends and family, overlooking a beautiful landscaped garden with a sand pit, climbing frame and swings, a beautiful willow tree, blackberries, and more! Many happy memories in the heated, rain-protected succa! Mum volunteered in the Chevra Kadisha and in Kisharon, a school for children with special needs. She was considered a kind, wise, and wonderful person, greatly beloved, and often gave marriage guidance and advice. People from wide and far stayed for days or weeks at the Kestenbaum home, full board! Later in life, she was asked by Rabbi Feldman of Munks and Loeuk Schurder to be headmistress of Menorah Primary School, where she excelled and was greatly appreciated. She stayed there for 11 years. After retiring, she became ill and moved to Ramat Bet Shemesh, Israel. She enjoyed living in Israel with her children and grandchildren, and many friends. She received excellent treatment at Hadassah, but sadly passed away after 2 years. Mum was an unbelievably honest, straight person who wouldn't use a paper at work that wasn't hers. She was extremely hardworking - rose early and didn't cut corners. She davened and read tehillim, and lived as a deeply religious person with unshakeable faith, ultimately completely accepting that she was joining her creator.