We know for sure that there are pressing issues impacting Israel and the rest of the Jewish world. Sometimes it is important to stop for a moment and realize that there are people who are our neighbors and friends who act tirelessly in our local communities. They aren’t necessarily big names on the world stage. But locally, they go about the business of improving the Jewish community’s quality of life.

Bryna Malitzky is certainly one of these people. After 20 years running the day-to-day operations of the Teaneck Mikvah, she has announced her retirement at the end of the current year.

“She was invaluable in establishing a solid foundation for the continued success of the Teaneck Mikvah Association and the enhancement of Taharat Hamishpacha in this community,” mikvah president Nomi Rotblat said in an interview with the Jewish Link (see story, cover and page 55).

Malitzky’s dedication to the mikvah was certainly a labor of love. She took the mikvah to such a high level of service that volunteers and staffers from mikvaot all over the U.S. have sought her advice to improve their local facilities.

Her decision to retire is bittersweet for the entire community. The Taharat Hamishpacha needs of the community were being taken care of professionally and with a great deal of caring, behind-the-scenes work by Malitzky.

So much so, that she will be honored on November 23 at Keter Torah. It will be a chance for everyone to thank Malitzky for a job done beautifully.

She is one of those people who daily have made our community a better, holier place. We wish her all the good that life has to offer, and we thank her for a job well done.

Or as Alisa Levy, the mikvah’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “Bryna’s dedication to the mikvah and to this community is awe-inspiring. The mikvah has been a labor of love for her.”

We couldn’t have said it better.