Podcast Interview with Beth PerkelPost on Aug 27, 2023-Surviving Suffering and the Search for the Meaning of Life Please listen and share this podcast I did about surviving tragedy and suffering, the search for meaning, and how to be a good friend and support someone suffering.
Secret Giving SparksPost on Jun 21, 2023-Here is a clip about my late husband Gershon’s a”h secret giving as it applies to Parshas Chukas. Made for GIFT England which sends out weekly Parsha videos to encourage people to give. Please share and hope it inspires you asw ell!
Talkline Radio/Video InterviewPost on Mar 29, 2022-Listen to my Talkline interview with Zev Brenner, an amazing surprise story of someone who came to WesternWallPrayers.. from the most unlikely of places! And what happened… https://www.westernwallprayers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Talkline-with-Zev-Brenner-with-Batya-Burd-Oved-founder-westernwallprayers.org-on-the-power-of-prayer.mp4
Podcast Interview Eve Levy – How to Remain Whole through Tragedy – Why Bad things Happen to Good PeoplePost on Feb 09, 2022-Interview Podcast with Eve Levy about how to go through trauma, grief and loss without it engulfing you. We are both adults and children at the same time in many ways. We can neither intellectualize away our pain nor can we wallow in it with having our adult selves lead us in the right direction. Bad things happening to good people are really just painful things happening to make us better. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6RxPCIElcRQQL1mGfcYifQ
An interview about how the 40 day prayers work and the purpose of all of our life tests…Post on Feb 01, 2022-Interview with Vera Kessler about some WesternWallPrayers stories and how my husband’s sudden death taught me about how everything we experience, good or painful, is to come closer to G-d since we are souls in evolution. Stop fighting your reality and accept it so that you can use your energy to grow. (video is not so great because of the snow!) Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7vwolk9OgTn2dztVkWI7IR
How I learned Emunah from Living (a talk I gave on cybersem.com)Post on Feb 01, 2022-How I came to seminary, the power of pure Emunah to create reality, following your highest purpose and connecting to G-d as an antidote to existential angst. The spiritual light I experienced on my husband’s deathbed, the incredible stories of hidden kindness that were revealed after his death, coming closer to G-d by emulating His character traits. The kindest form of giving is when the receiver doesn’t know s/he is being given to. Each neshama has come here to be polished.
Learning to Explore Her SoulPost on Oct 13, 2020-(The Jewish Home) When Batya Burd-Oved tells the story of her teshuva journey, she explains that she “grew up in a complete religious void.” When she was eight years old, her Russian-born refusenik father took her outside one night and asked her to look up at the sky. “Do you see a man with a beard, throwing a lightning bolt?” he queried his child. Then he shut down all future discussion by stating, “That’s the last time we’re going to talk about G-d.” Read more here >
Yeshivas Bircas Hatorah Set To Open New Building In Memory Of Hidden Tzaddik And Former Executive Director Gershon Burd Zt”l – Yeshivaworldnews.comPost on Jan 14, 2020-Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah Set to Open New Building in Memory of Hidden Tzaddik and Former Executive Director Gershon Burd zt”l Jerusalem, Israel (1/10/20) — Six years after the tragic death of its executive director Gershon Burd zt”l, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah is proud to announce the brand-new Gershon Burd Building will open in his honor in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City next month. Located at the former site of Rabbi Meir Schuster’s Heritage House, the Gershon Burd Building will be the first portal to the Jewish Quarter that will be seen by millions of visitors to the Holy City every […]
The Secret Life of Gershon Burd – Aish.comPost on Mar 02, 2017-We, the members of his community in the Old City of Jerusalem, thought we knew Gershon Burd. The men at the yeshiva where he worked full time and learned Torah full time thought they knew Gershon. Batya, his wife of ten years and the mother of his five children, thought she knew Gershon. Only after Gershon drowned in the Mediterranean on his 40th birthday, October 4, did the truth, or tantalizing glimpses of the truth, start to emerge. On the second day of the shiva, a woman Batya knew appeared in the Burd home. As Batya recounts: “She looked at […]
How do you process grief and pain while trying to be a good Mommy?Post on Feb 09, 2017-Here’s an article I wrote for Mishpacha a while ago with what I hope to be some words of wisdom for others trying to walk a similar tight-rope: Opening the Drawers With brachos from Yerushalayim to accomplish all of your personal missions in this world! Batya
Understanding Suffering VideoPost on Sep 27, 2016-Here is a talk I gave to a few beginner seminary girls. I call it “Why me G-d?” Please share with friends and family. Thanks!!!
Last minute RH thought and Last Chance for Rebbe Nachman in UMAN erev RH!Post on Sep 26, 2016-Rosh Hashanah is so close! I always worry that I didn’t do the work I needed to do. Life is just soo busy! But I remember one thing my late husband Gershon zt”l used to say to keep in mind for Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is about crowning Hashem King. But what does that mean? Do I envision some great leader on a throne with a crown on his head and me bowing in servitude towards him? Is this really the work that’s going to give me a better din on Rosh Hashanah? Seems so childish. Here I remember Gershon […]
Erev Rosh Hashanah at Rebbe Nachman’s kever in UMAN for You! Are you prepared for Yom HaDin?Post on Sep 20, 2016-It’s almost Rosh Hashanah – Yom HaDin, da dum.There’s shopping, and cooking and outfits to pick.There are meals to plan and shuls to pick. There are relatives to remember. And then there’s…. our future to consider. Who we are. What we want.Now is the time to put forth that last stretch effort of tzedaka, teshuva and prayer. Here we can help put you over the top b’ezrat Hashem. We are sending a few of our Jerusalem learners to Rebbe Nachman’s tomb in Uman, Ukraine to say the special Tikun HaKlali prayer (10 specific psalms said in a certain order) specifically […]
Last Chance to Get Your Prayers In! Who Will Live. and Who Will Die… Who Will be Wealthy and Who Will be Poor…Post on Sep 01, 2016-Each year on Rosh Hashanah, “all inhabitants of the world pass before G‑d like a flock of sheep,” and it is decreed in the heavenly court “who shall live, and who shall die … who shall be impoverished, and who shall be enriched; who shall fall and who shall rise.” Since this is something serious, G-d gave us the entire month of Elul to reflect on the year gone by and prepare. We are supposed to see where we went wrong and try to transform, to spend more time learning Torah, praying and giving charity. To make it easier to judge us […]
Amazing 40-Days Story, and the Most Important 40 Days of the Year!Post on Aug 22, 2016-Having run this project for over a decade now, I often get told personal stories of people doing 40-days themselves (and am frequently answering halachic questions on the particulars of doing the 40-days). The other day a friend told me a beautiful story. She has never been married and has been dating for over 20 years. Her sister was also unmarried and dating for what seemed to be an eternity. Thinking only of her sister, my friend decided to do the 40-days for her. Now, if you have ever done the 40-days, you know that it is a massive commitment […]
It’s Almost Elul!!!Post on Aug 18, 2016-We hope you are having a wonderful summer and getting some time to enjoy the little things. Having just gone through the incredibly cathartic experience of Tisha B’Av, we hope you are de-processing, defusing and getting ready for the next step… The year is coming to an end. Was it what you wanted?Did you come closer to your goals? Fall a little? If so, it’s not too late to climb back up. The regrets of the past are yours to erase, the future is yours to create. Now is the time to take stock and strategize for how you will get the best out of your […]
Complimentary Prayers for All of Our Friends!Post on Jun 01, 2016-Shalom, We wanted to let you know that once again, some volunteers will be davening at the kevarim of the Shlah, Rashbi (Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai) and Amuka (famous for marriage prayers) high up in the hills of Safed, on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, June 6th. As you may already know, Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan is a powerful time to pray to bear good children who are successful in their Torah education and in life, but you can pray for anything and pass this gift onto your friends as well. But, because of the volume involved, we can receive up […]
Middot or Torah-learning? Rebbe Shimon on Lag B’Omer!Post on May 16, 2016-We hope you had a meaningful Pesach! Right now, we are counting the Omer. Why? Because we are building up, one brick at a time, to be fitting vessels to receive the true light of Torah on Shavuot. Pesach cleansed us of our arrogance, which prevents us from building good middot, and now, we can use that cleansed person to actually develop the good middot that we need so that Torah will stick to us in the right way. What do I mean? A person who is haughty, but learns Torah, may filter that Torah through their arrogant lenses (I’m better […]
Last chance for Purim prayers! And is the war of Gog & Magog and Mashiach coming?Post on Mar 16, 2016-How are you? We’re so happy to be connected to you through this amazing 40-day prayer partnership. I have to admit something now. I am enamored with the concept of Mashiach coming and the war of Gog and Magog. So, whenever I have some extra time, I research the newest revelations about our time period and how close it is to the grand finale – what’s going to happen, when and what do I do to prepare for it. I decided I would share some of what I found with you. Now many of us know that Mashiach has been […]
The Drama of Life, and Purim Prayers are Here!Post on Mar 03, 2016-I’m happy to be writing you from a relatively quiet Old City today. Every day that I see this city becoming more and more built up with Torah and Jews serving Hashem, I become more grateful to be a part of it. And of course, I really appreciate enabling you to be a part of its building, through getting prayers at the Kotel and providing the Torah community with jobs that help them continue to learn here, and you to thrive abroad. In the ancient spirit of Zevulun and Yissachar (where one working tribe supported the other learning tribe and both shared […]
Tu Bi’shvat Segula and Life in the Holiest CityPost on Jan 11, 2016-Happy post-Chanukah pre-Purim time! As I write this email, a few beautiful souls are partaking in a community melava malka, just outside the Old City gates, exactly where knife-wielding terrorists killed 2 Jews and severely injured 1 more less than 3 weeks ago. Only Am Yisroel, victims of constant onslaught from all sides, still perseveres to make light where there is darkness. How could Hashem not have nachat from us? It is said that in the times before Mashiach, Hashem will shake a rope, and it will be up to each of us to grab onto that rope as it swings, […]
Unbelievable Terror Story and Last Chance to Get Into the Time of Miracles!!Post on Nov 01, 2015-On my way home into a very barren Old City last night (save for the dozens of border policemen), I ran into a neighbor and friend. He told me a very disturbing story. 2 weeks ago as he was walking from the Kotel into the Muslim quarter with his friend, the friend suddenly fell to the ground before him unconscious. Looking down, he saw a knife in his friend’s back and an 18 year old Arab girl – who looked more like 15 – full of rage trying to continue to stab him and grab his gun on the side […]
Old City Update and the 40 days til Zos Chanukah are here!Post on Oct 15, 2015-Brachot from the holiest place on earth! This is not the usual post-Succot message letting you know about the crowds of tourists and excitement here. This is not the usual pre-Chanukah coming down from an incredible spiritual high update. This is a message to let you know about our life here, and our duty here and abroad to continue our incredible project to keep Jewish prayers and people at the Kotel where we belong. As you have surely heard, the terrorist stabbings in the Old City and all over Israel update every several hours now. The Old City is a ghost-town compared to the last 10 years, […]
Erev Rosh Hashanah at Rebbe Nachman’s kever in UMAN for You!Post on Sep 01, 2015-Thank G-d, Elul is off to a beautiful start, with thousands filling the Kotel plaza daily from all walks of life and places, trying to connect, forgive, be forgiven and merit goodness. It is a time to re-focus, re-sensitize, and let go of that which is holding us back from true connection with Hashem. I met a friend of mine the other day and was so happy to see such a beautiful change in her – many years of stress seemed to have fallen off her face. She said, “I just came back from Uman.” It made me want to […]
Last chance to get your prayers in! (before Shira gives birth please G-d!)Post on Aug 11, 2015-It’s very exciting, and nerve-wracking to some extent. The year 5776 is almost here. What do you want this year to look like? Who do you want to be? What do you want to happen? For you? Family? A friend? This is your chance to have us beg Hashem for you at the place where all prayer goes up and the future site of the Beit HaMikdash!!! (If you haven’t already signed up.) May all of our prayers be quickly answered! With great love and brachos for a beautiful year ahead for you, and a b’sha’ah tova to Shira who we hope will hold […]
The most important 40 days of prayer in the year are NOW!!Post on Jul 30, 2015-Shalom, Thank G-d I am happy to be writing you from a peaceful Jerusalem despite the plans of our enemies – may we continue to be protected! First the good news… Mazel Tov to ‘Sara’ who started dating her husband on the first day her prayer agent went to the Kotel, to ‘Binyamin’ who got a job on day 37 at the Kotel, to ‘Bracha’ who gave birth to a healthy baby after our prayers and to ‘Vicky’ whose husband’s court case was incredibly successful. Keep sending in your stories! We love hearing them and we feel a special privilege […]
Facing Facts About Rosh Hashanah DaveningPost on Sep 02, 2014-This is it. Almost another new year. I usually write a mass email text and work very hard to first feel, and then transmit to you the spiritual energy in Jerusalem and the impending awe that we are supposed to feel in the upcoming weeks because of the severity and weight of what is going to take place based on the chaggim ahead. I bring the notes into play in my head, the growth of Elul, the help and closeness we have with Hashem, and then as if with a Mozart crescendo, finalize it in the Yom HaDin, duh duh. […]
Rock BottomPost on Aug 05, 2014-The death of my husband forced me to reexamine the purpose of my existence. It was 7 am Sunday morning and I had been asleep for a scant hour after being awake for 45 hours. My good friend Menucha leaned down to the hospital couch and tapped me on the shoulder. It had been 38 hours since I had pulled my husband’s lifeless, 6-foot body out of the jaws of the Tel Aviv ocean one beautiful Friday. After 20 minutes of CPR on the sand, a faint pulse had returned, and he was rushed to the hospital where he lay […]
Torah, Existential Angst and the War (please spread)Post on Jul 29, 2014-Shalom WWP family, There have been so many posts lately – news and especially opinion pieces. Everyone has one. Everyone agrees with some and disagrees with others. Someone wrote me hate mail the last couple of days. You see they are not Jewish and anti-Zionist and anti-American and anti-Fox news and wanted me to know that they are boycotting anything to do with Israel. I decided that this must be a socially-conscious human being and so opened the discussion – hoping to show them the error of their ways and the misguided-ness of their genuinely good character trait of compassion. […]
A word from above the bomb shelterPost on Jul 13, 2014-Shalom Western Wall Family, I originally created this blog as a way to spread light from the holy land, and especially from the holiest place in the holy land to surrounding areas. Then my husband’s tragedy occurred and that became the platform for the blog. But now, as day 5 of the war is in progress, I keep thinking I need to say something. After all, the blog is to apprise everyone of the situation. But as day after day happens, I keep wondering, ‘what am I going to say?’. I want to spread emuna and uplifting thoughts. But truly, […]
King David’s Heart – An Article I wrote on Aish.comPost on Jun 03, 2014-Life’s difficult challenges aren’t interruptions. They’re what we need to compose our unique song. It is no coincidence that Shavuot, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, is the yahrzeit of King David. On Shavuot, the Jewish people received their national mission to be a light onto the nations. King David teaches us about our unique mission in the world as an individual. I have always admired King David. I even named a son after him, who was born on Shavuot. King David inspires me. The youngest son of Yishai, from an early age David was […]
Where are we now?Post on May 22, 2014-B”SD Shalom friends and extended Western Wall Prayers Family, It has been over 8 months since Gershon zt”l passed away. From before Pesach until now feels like 5 months in and of itself. Passover is truly the chag of transformation. I feel like our family and especially me personally, have traveled many oceans and lands since then and have arrived on a temporary island called ‘here’. It is quiet. Serene. Uncomplicated. Focused. Different plants grow here and the waters are a strange but pleasant color. We are getting used to the closeness yet alien feeling of being ‘here’. As I […]
Thoughts and reflections of an almana (widow)Post on Feb 13, 2014-Shalom people in my world. I am getting used to my new identity as an almana (widow) which I formerly just identified with a black spider. But in Jewish tefila (prayer) terms, they say it makes me closer to G-d than Rav Kanievsky. The other day I got a call to daven for someone who was in an accident. I said sure I will get someone to the Kotel quick. They said no, the person wants you to daven for them. ‘Oh yeah’ I thought, ‘I’m the almana‘. I guess it’s G-d’s funny way of making me think I won […]
Our Succah in Gan EdenPost on Jan 06, 2014-The week before my husband was niftar, we celebrated Succos in grand style – hashgahically invited much of our Israeli family that we hadn’t seen for years, and old friends who we have never had over. Before we built the Succah though, our kids voiced their complaints about our boring and colorless Succah. Every year we covered the walls with off-white sheets, put up real pictures of Gedolim, and had a plain looking Succah with all of our furniture, just like our home. I brought up their concerns with their Aba. “Colorful lights, Aba.” “The children requesteth colorful lights this […]
Some Unknown Gershon Zt’L StoriesPost on Jan 02, 2014-BS”D I realized that there are two sweet stories we found out during shiva that never made the newsreels, but are definitely newsworthy, so I decided to share them with you now. A year ago, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah held a raffle. There were many prizes, but the top prize, given to whomever donated or raised at least $3,600, was a personal chavrusa (learning session) with the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Tagger himself. When the raffle was over, Gershon approached Rabbi Tagger with the list of $3,600 chavrusa winners and told him to pay personal attention to one specific name on that […]
8th day of Chanukah talk – Rabbi Doniel Katz, myself and MC Sara Rigler – video and transcriptPost on Dec 19, 2013-B”SD Shalom wonderful people, I wanted to offer those of you who were not able to attend the event, a link to the video and also the transcribed version thanks to a new friend who came to the shiur – Shira Bienstock. To hear both talks, click here. For just my talk, click here. or for men, the transcript is below. As for how I am doing… depends on the hour, the day. Emunah is really not a gift – it is a continual exercise. I go to the ‘gym’ as much as I can. Blessings from a snowy Jerusalem, […]
Renewing my VowsPost on Nov 20, 2013-11 years ago this week, I met my late husband. Chanukah time was always an unofficial happy dating anniversary for us. It is a time I naturally get reminiscent. All of our dates I remember freezing cold weather in the rain. Somehow it didn’t bother us quite that much. I haven’t written in a while because I honestly haven’t felt very connected to a high place. After the initial shock, hospital time, and funeral, the meaning of everything was so clear, vivid and elevated. You may not believe me, but I had the same feeling sitting on my shiva chair […]
Thank you tremendously for your outpouring of support and lovePost on Nov 07, 2013-Yesterday was the shloshim of my dearly departed husband Gershon zt”l. I still can’t quite get used to saying that. As I continue to walk with you, some of the special people with whom I remain on this path of life, I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you how thankful I am that you are in my life and how thankful I am to everyone for their tremendous support and love during my darkest moments. People have been calling from around the world. People have been emailing from around the world. People from around the world have been […]
Shloshim video recordingPost on Nov 06, 2013-Click here to watch. MC – Reb Daniel Rostenne, Opening Comments, etc. Mashgiach: Rabbi Wegbreit, Shlita Rabbi Irom reads a Letter from Jessica Burd Siyum HaShas for the First Yarhzeit, Rabbi Avraham Berk Administrator and Financial Director Reb Reuvan Loewenstein Rabbi Irom reads a Letter from father Mr. Leonard Burd MC – short talk Special Surprise Announcement, Rosh Yeshiva: Rabbi Nissim Tagger, Shlita
So Far So FastPost on Nov 05, 2013-The following article was printed in the Yated a week and a half ago: So Far So Fast The Life and Lessons of Rabbi Gershon Binyamin Burd zt”l By Sara Yocheved Rigler When Gregory Burd was born to Russian Jewish parents in Odessa in 1973, he didn’t receive a bris. After the family immigrated to Chicago when he was three, he received the bris, but little else Jewishly. At 16, he was playing on the football team of his local public high school. At 18, he was a lifeguard. Only at the age of 25 did he attend his first […]
Who was Gershon according to his wife.Post on Oct 28, 2013-This is my rough draft of my submission for my late husband’s memory book, to be distributed at his shloshim (month anniversary after his passing). Gershon’s yiras shamayim left me constantly humbled. I was married to someone, who on the inside, if he was allowed to fully express himself hashkafically, would have probably sounded a lot like Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l ironically. He was a charif Gadol who masked himself constantly as the fun, all-loving, understanding and accepting friend and husband because most of the world was just not playing in the same ballpark as him and so couldn’t handle […]
The Funeral (Levaya) Speeches on AudioPost on Oct 27, 2013-Rabbi Nebensahl, future Gadol HaDor (leader of our generation) according to many (Hebrew) Rabbi Tagger, Rosh Yeshiva of Bircas HaTorah (Gershon’s yeshiva) (English) Rabbi Yom Tov Zilberman (Zilberman’s yeshiva) (Hebrew) Rabbi Wegbreit (Mashgiach of Bircas HaTorah) (English) Click here to listen
My Card from ShamayimPost on Oct 24, 2013-It was the second day of shiva and I had just woken up to confront a bunch of my girlfriends all at once in my living room. Up until this point, and all the way from the time that my husband was pronounced niftar Sunday morning, I had gone into battle mode. The first call I made in that hospital room when things were final, was to my chinuch Rebbetzin who told me that I needed to be strong for my children so I could break the news to them and be there to console them (this advice was specific […]
Suffering. Why?Post on Oct 21, 2013-I know we all ask this question at some point in our lives. I just wanted to give my take on it, in case it helps anyone. And, if it does, then it helps me. My healing will largely come from having an impact on others I think. Isn’t it funny how Hashem made us all perfect puzzle pieces in this Universe? My healing comes from helping others to come closer. Is it any wonder that suffering would be my perfect medicine to inspire me to do that which will give me my true soul healing? Too circular? Let me […]
Encounter at the KotelPost on Oct 21, 2013-An unlikely encounter with a woman asking for charity on the Kotel stairs tonight. Listen here: http://westernwallprayers.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/kotelaudio.mp3
State of Affairs in MourningPost on Oct 17, 2013-People seem to be interested in how I am doing, so I think I will start to use this blog as a forum. Again, I can’t start before thanking all of you for your outpouring of support and for the incredible changes you are all making in your lives. I have never been more proud to be alive and to be a person. Look at what we can do! Look at how we can fly! I have so much to give now that I am just trying to find a place or person or thing to put it in. A […]
Gershon Burd, founder, Baruch Dayan HaEmesPost on Oct 15, 2013-If you haven’t already heard, I am saddened to tell you that my husband and founder of Western Wall Prayers drowned in the Mediterranean last week on his 40th birthday. According to the Torah, when a person dies on their birthday, it is a sign that they have completed their work in the world. This Aish.com article about his life gives more details about his greatness. I plan to write much more in the coming months. I plan to continue in his ways. I pledge to do more and to give more to others around me. I am told we […]
Thousands gather to pray for recovery of HaRav Chaim Ovadia YosefPost on Oct 01, 2013-Tens of thousands of people were crowded at the Kotel Sunday night in an organized prayer session for Rav Chaim Ovadia Yosef, one of the greatest spiritual leaders of our time (especially prominent in the Sefardic community) who is hospitalized in serious condition. Reports estimated there were 30,000 people present! Many great leaders came to join in the prayers, and the heart-rending wails and cries of those praying could be heard throughout the Kotel plaza. Here is a picture of the men’s side (as originally posted on Yeshiva World News).
Podcast Interview with Beth Perkel Post on Aug 27, 2023 - Surviving Suffering and the Search for the Meaning of Life Please listen and share this podcast I did about surviving tragedy and suffering, the search for meaning, and how to be a good friend and support someone suffering.
Secret Giving Sparks Post on Jun 21, 2023 - Here is a clip about my late husband Gershon’s a”h secret giving as it applies to Parshas Chukas. Made for GIFT England which sends out weekly Parsha videos to encourage people to give. Please share and hope it inspires you asw ell!
Talkline Radio/Video Interview Post on Mar 29, 2022 - Listen to my Talkline interview with Zev Brenner, an amazing surprise story of someone who came to WesternWallPrayers.. from the most unlikely of places! And what happened… https://www.westernwallprayers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Talkline-with-Zev-Brenner-with-Batya-Burd-Oved-founder-westernwallprayers.org-on-the-power-of-prayer.mp4
Podcast Interview Eve Levy – How to Remain Whole through Tragedy – Why Bad things Happen to Good People Post on Feb 09, 2022 - Interview Podcast with Eve Levy about how to go through trauma, grief and loss without it engulfing you. We are both adults and children at the same time in many ways. We can neither intellectualize away our pain nor can we wallow in it with having our adult selves lead us in the right direction. Bad things happening to good people are really just painful things happening to make us better. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6RxPCIElcRQQL1mGfcYifQ
An interview about how the 40 day prayers work and the purpose of all of our life tests… Post on Feb 01, 2022 - Interview with Vera Kessler about some WesternWallPrayers stories and how my husband’s sudden death taught me about how everything we experience, good or painful, is to come closer to G-d since we are souls in evolution. Stop fighting your reality and accept it so that you can use your energy to grow. (video is not so great because of the snow!) Podcast Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7vwolk9OgTn2dztVkWI7IR
How I learned Emunah from Living (a talk I gave on cybersem.com) Post on Feb 01, 2022 - How I came to seminary, the power of pure Emunah to create reality, following your highest purpose and connecting to G-d as an antidote to existential angst. The spiritual light I experienced on my husband’s deathbed, the incredible stories of hidden kindness that were revealed after his death, coming closer to G-d by emulating His character traits. The kindest form of giving is when the receiver doesn’t know s/he is being given to. Each neshama has come here to be polished.
My interview on how different marriages bring out different sides of people. Post on Apr 07, 2021 - 
Learning to Explore Her Soul Post on Oct 13, 2020 - (The Jewish Home) When Batya Burd-Oved tells the story of her teshuva journey, she explains that she “grew up in a complete religious void.” When she was eight years old, her Russian-born refusenik father took her outside one night and asked her to look up at the sky. “Do you see a man with a beard, throwing a lightning bolt?” he queried his child. Then he shut down all future discussion by stating, “That’s the last time we’re going to talk about G-d.” Read more here >
Yeshivas Bircas Hatorah Set To Open New Building In Memory Of Hidden Tzaddik And Former Executive Director Gershon Burd Zt”l – Yeshivaworldnews.com Post on Jan 14, 2020 - Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah Set to Open New Building in Memory of Hidden Tzaddik and Former Executive Director Gershon Burd zt”l Jerusalem, Israel (1/10/20) — Six years after the tragic death of its executive director Gershon Burd zt”l, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah is proud to announce the brand-new Gershon Burd Building will open in his honor in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City next month. Located at the former site of Rabbi Meir Schuster’s Heritage House, the Gershon Burd Building will be the first portal to the Jewish Quarter that will be seen by millions of visitors to the Holy City every […]
The Secret Life of Gershon Burd – Aish.com Post on Mar 02, 2017 - We, the members of his community in the Old City of Jerusalem, thought we knew Gershon Burd. The men at the yeshiva where he worked full time and learned Torah full time thought they knew Gershon. Batya, his wife of ten years and the mother of his five children, thought she knew Gershon. Only after Gershon drowned in the Mediterranean on his 40th birthday, October 4, did the truth, or tantalizing glimpses of the truth, start to emerge. On the second day of the shiva, a woman Batya knew appeared in the Burd home. As Batya recounts: “She looked at […]
How do you process grief and pain while trying to be a good Mommy? Post on Feb 09, 2017 - Here’s an article I wrote for Mishpacha a while ago with what I hope to be some words of wisdom for others trying to walk a similar tight-rope: Opening the Drawers With brachos from Yerushalayim to accomplish all of your personal missions in this world! Batya
Understanding Suffering Video Post on Sep 27, 2016 - Here is a talk I gave to a few beginner seminary girls. I call it “Why me G-d?” Please share with friends and family. Thanks!!!
Last minute RH thought and Last Chance for Rebbe Nachman in UMAN erev RH! Post on Sep 26, 2016 - Rosh Hashanah is so close! I always worry that I didn’t do the work I needed to do. Life is just soo busy! But I remember one thing my late husband Gershon zt”l used to say to keep in mind for Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah is about crowning Hashem King. But what does that mean? Do I envision some great leader on a throne with a crown on his head and me bowing in servitude towards him? Is this really the work that’s going to give me a better din on Rosh Hashanah? Seems so childish. Here I remember Gershon […]
Last Chance to Get Your Prayers In! Who Will Live. and Who Will Die… Who Will be Wealthy and Who Will be Poor… Post on Sep 01, 2016 - Each year on Rosh Hashanah, “all inhabitants of the world pass before G‑d like a flock of sheep,” and it is decreed in the heavenly court “who shall live, and who shall die … who shall be impoverished, and who shall be enriched; who shall fall and who shall rise.” Since this is something serious, G-d gave us the entire month of Elul to reflect on the year gone by and prepare. We are supposed to see where we went wrong and try to transform, to spend more time learning Torah, praying and giving charity. To make it easier to judge us […]
Amazing 40-Days Story, and the Most Important 40 Days of the Year! Post on Aug 22, 2016 - Having run this project for over a decade now, I often get told personal stories of people doing 40-days themselves (and am frequently answering halachic questions on the particulars of doing the 40-days). The other day a friend told me a beautiful story. She has never been married and has been dating for over 20 years. Her sister was also unmarried and dating for what seemed to be an eternity. Thinking only of her sister, my friend decided to do the 40-days for her. Now, if you have ever done the 40-days, you know that it is a massive commitment […]
Complimentary Prayers for All of Our Friends! Post on Jun 01, 2016 - Shalom, We wanted to let you know that once again, some volunteers will be davening at the kevarim of the Shlah, Rashbi (Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai) and Amuka (famous for marriage prayers) high up in the hills of Safed, on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, June 6th. As you may already know, Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan is a powerful time to pray to bear good children who are successful in their Torah education and in life, but you can pray for anything and pass this gift onto your friends as well. But, because of the volume involved, we can receive up […]
Middot or Torah-learning? Rebbe Shimon on Lag B’Omer! Post on May 16, 2016 - We hope you had a meaningful Pesach! Right now, we are counting the Omer. Why? Because we are building up, one brick at a time, to be fitting vessels to receive the true light of Torah on Shavuot. Pesach cleansed us of our arrogance, which prevents us from building good middot, and now, we can use that cleansed person to actually develop the good middot that we need so that Torah will stick to us in the right way. What do I mean? A person who is haughty, but learns Torah, may filter that Torah through their arrogant lenses (I’m better […]
Last chance for Purim prayers! And is the war of Gog & Magog and Mashiach coming? Post on Mar 16, 2016 - How are you? We’re so happy to be connected to you through this amazing 40-day prayer partnership. I have to admit something now. I am enamored with the concept of Mashiach coming and the war of Gog and Magog. So, whenever I have some extra time, I research the newest revelations about our time period and how close it is to the grand finale – what’s going to happen, when and what do I do to prepare for it. I decided I would share some of what I found with you. Now many of us know that Mashiach has been […]
Tu Bi’shvat Segula and Life in the Holiest City Post on Jan 11, 2016 - Happy post-Chanukah pre-Purim time! As I write this email, a few beautiful souls are partaking in a community melava malka, just outside the Old City gates, exactly where knife-wielding terrorists killed 2 Jews and severely injured 1 more less than 3 weeks ago. Only Am Yisroel, victims of constant onslaught from all sides, still perseveres to make light where there is darkness. How could Hashem not have nachat from us? It is said that in the times before Mashiach, Hashem will shake a rope, and it will be up to each of us to grab onto that rope as it swings, […]
Erev Rosh Hashanah at Rebbe Nachman’s kever in UMAN for You! Post on Sep 01, 2015 - Thank G-d, Elul is off to a beautiful start, with thousands filling the Kotel plaza daily from all walks of life and places, trying to connect, forgive, be forgiven and merit goodness. It is a time to re-focus, re-sensitize, and let go of that which is holding us back from true connection with Hashem. I met a friend of mine the other day and was so happy to see such a beautiful change in her – many years of stress seemed to have fallen off her face. She said, “I just came back from Uman.” It made me want to […]
Last chance to get your prayers in! (before Shira gives birth please G-d!) Post on Aug 11, 2015 - It’s very exciting, and nerve-wracking to some extent. The year 5776 is almost here. What do you want this year to look like? Who do you want to be? What do you want to happen? For you? Family? A friend? This is your chance to have us beg Hashem for you at the place where all prayer goes up and the future site of the Beit HaMikdash!!! (If you haven’t already signed up.) May all of our prayers be quickly answered! With great love and brachos for a beautiful year ahead for you, and a b’sha’ah tova to Shira who we hope will hold […]
Yated magazine interview over Succos Post on Jan 13, 2015 - Click to read: Connecting Heaven and Earth – A Conversation with Mrs. Batya Burd
Rock Bottom Post on Aug 05, 2014 - The death of my husband forced me to reexamine the purpose of my existence. It was 7 am Sunday morning and I had been asleep for a scant hour after being awake for 45 hours. My good friend Menucha leaned down to the hospital couch and tapped me on the shoulder. It had been 38 hours since I had pulled my husband’s lifeless, 6-foot body out of the jaws of the Tel Aviv ocean one beautiful Friday. After 20 minutes of CPR on the sand, a faint pulse had returned, and he was rushed to the hospital where he lay […]
King David’s Heart – An Article I wrote on Aish.com Post on Jun 03, 2014 - Life’s difficult challenges aren’t interruptions. They’re what we need to compose our unique song. It is no coincidence that Shavuot, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, is the yahrzeit of King David. On Shavuot, the Jewish people received their national mission to be a light onto the nations. King David teaches us about our unique mission in the world as an individual. I have always admired King David. I even named a son after him, who was born on Shavuot. King David inspires me. The youngest son of Yishai, from an early age David was […]
Where are we now? Post on May 22, 2014 - B”SD Shalom friends and extended Western Wall Prayers Family, It has been over 8 months since Gershon zt”l passed away. From before Pesach until now feels like 5 months in and of itself. Passover is truly the chag of transformation. I feel like our family and especially me personally, have traveled many oceans and lands since then and have arrived on a temporary island called ‘here’. It is quiet. Serene. Uncomplicated. Focused. Different plants grow here and the waters are a strange but pleasant color. We are getting used to the closeness yet alien feeling of being ‘here’. As I […]
Our Succah in Gan Eden Post on Jan 06, 2014 - The week before my husband was niftar, we celebrated Succos in grand style – hashgahically invited much of our Israeli family that we hadn’t seen for years, and old friends who we have never had over. Before we built the Succah though, our kids voiced their complaints about our boring and colorless Succah. Every year we covered the walls with off-white sheets, put up real pictures of Gedolim, and had a plain looking Succah with all of our furniture, just like our home. I brought up their concerns with their Aba. “Colorful lights, Aba.” “The children requesteth colorful lights this […]
8th day of Chanukah talk – Rabbi Doniel Katz, myself and MC Sara Rigler – video and transcript Post on Dec 19, 2013 - B”SD Shalom wonderful people, I wanted to offer those of you who were not able to attend the event, a link to the video and also the transcribed version thanks to a new friend who came to the shiur – Shira Bienstock. To hear both talks, click here. For just my talk, click here. or for men, the transcript is below. As for how I am doing… depends on the hour, the day. Emunah is really not a gift – it is a continual exercise. I go to the ‘gym’ as much as I can. Blessings from a snowy Jerusalem, […]
Thank you tremendously for your outpouring of support and love Post on Nov 07, 2013 - Yesterday was the shloshim of my dearly departed husband Gershon zt”l. I still can’t quite get used to saying that. As I continue to walk with you, some of the special people with whom I remain on this path of life, I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you how thankful I am that you are in my life and how thankful I am to everyone for their tremendous support and love during my darkest moments. People have been calling from around the world. People have been emailing from around the world. People from around the world have been […]
So Far So Fast Post on Nov 05, 2013 - The following article was printed in the Yated a week and a half ago: So Far So Fast The Life and Lessons of Rabbi Gershon Binyamin Burd zt”l By Sara Yocheved Rigler When Gregory Burd was born to Russian Jewish parents in Odessa in 1973, he didn’t receive a bris. After the family immigrated to Chicago when he was three, he received the bris, but little else Jewishly. At 16, he was playing on the football team of his local public high school. At 18, he was a lifeguard. Only at the age of 25 did he attend his first […]
Who was Gershon according to his wife. Post on Oct 28, 2013 - This is my rough draft of my submission for my late husband’s memory book, to be distributed at his shloshim (month anniversary after his passing). Gershon’s yiras shamayim left me constantly humbled. I was married to someone, who on the inside, if he was allowed to fully express himself hashkafically, would have probably sounded a lot like Rav Ovadia Yosef zt”l ironically. He was a charif Gadol who masked himself constantly as the fun, all-loving, understanding and accepting friend and husband because most of the world was just not playing in the same ballpark as him and so couldn’t handle […]
My Card from Shamayim Post on Oct 24, 2013 - It was the second day of shiva and I had just woken up to confront a bunch of my girlfriends all at once in my living room. Up until this point, and all the way from the time that my husband was pronounced niftar Sunday morning, I had gone into battle mode. The first call I made in that hospital room when things were final, was to my chinuch Rebbetzin who told me that I needed to be strong for my children so I could break the news to them and be there to console them (this advice was specific […]
State of Affairs in Mourning Post on Oct 17, 2013 - People seem to be interested in how I am doing, so I think I will start to use this blog as a forum. Again, I can’t start before thanking all of you for your outpouring of support and for the incredible changes you are all making in your lives. I have never been more proud to be alive and to be a person. Look at what we can do! Look at how we can fly! I have so much to give now that I am just trying to find a place or person or thing to put it in. A […]
Gershon Burd, founder, Baruch Dayan HaEmes Post on Oct 15, 2013 - If you haven’t already heard, I am saddened to tell you that my husband and founder of Western Wall Prayers drowned in the Mediterranean last week on his 40th birthday. According to the Torah, when a person dies on their birthday, it is a sign that they have completed their work in the world. This Aish.com article about his life gives more details about his greatness. I plan to write much more in the coming months. I plan to continue in his ways. I pledge to do more and to give more to others around me. I am told we […]
Thousands gather to pray for recovery of HaRav Chaim Ovadia Yosef Post on Oct 01, 2013 - Tens of thousands of people were crowded at the Kotel Sunday night in an organized prayer session for Rav Chaim Ovadia Yosef, one of the greatest spiritual leaders of our time (especially prominent in the Sefardic community) who is hospitalized in serious condition. Reports estimated there were 30,000 people present! Many great leaders came to join in the prayers, and the heart-rending wails and cries of those praying could be heard throughout the Kotel plaza. Here is a picture of the men’s side (as originally posted on Yeshiva World News).