Missing in Surfside: Estelle Hedaya

by Tzali Reicher – chabad.org

Estelle Hedaya has worked in the jewelry industry for more than 30 years, making countless friends along the way. Many have flooded her social media pages with prayers for her wellbeing and safety, after news broke she is among those missing in the tragic Champlain Tower South collapse.

A Brooklyn native, Estelle’s mother worked in New York’s competitive jewelry market, where Estelle worked hard and made a name for herself. In 2015, she was recruited to work at Continental Buying Group and Preferred Jewelers International in Florida, and relocated to Surfside, where she lives on the 6th floor of the condominium building.

A passionate traveler and foodie who loves to try new things and just have fun, Estelle runs a blog called followthetoes.com, where she shares her adventures, feelings and advice. Her friend Mindy Beth Silverman shared with the Miami Herald that Estelle is so full of life and devoted to her Judaism. She had a deep and abiding love for Israel and her fellow Jewish people.

On the Friday night following her building’s collapse, Estelle’s friend Debra Golan said she performed the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles 18 minutes earlier than she had to, 18 corresponding to chai (life), and her prayer that Estelle will be found soon.

The public is asked to pray for Esther bat Leah and all who are still being searched for.

This article has been reprinted with permission from chabad.org