By JUDY RATTNER
"We're not here because Leah died," said Rabbi Abraham Eckstein who led the service, "we're here because Leah lived. God gave us memories so we could enjoy roses in December."
Reading the words of her father, Howard Hirschel, who was too upset to speak at the funeral, Eckstein said "This is the ultimate pain a family can endure. We've all heard the expression, 'Live one day at a time.' I'm trying to live one minute at a time... Although my children knew that I loved them dearly, I should have hugged them more. I say to all of you, if you have children, give them a big hug for Leah, and another for me."
Eckstein said "we're chilled in our hearts, spirits and souls" and that "when parents have to bury a child, even God cries." But he said, "we're here to huddle together to give each other strength and support. You're not alone." There are three reasons we're here, he added, "to be together, to mourn and grieve for Leah and to remember her and celebrate her life."
Leah was described as small in stature but leaving footsteps that few will ever fill. Her warmth, sensitivity, optimism, compassion and cheer were also praised.
The rabbi said the Hirschel family truly appreciates the widespread outpouring of love and support from expected sources like family, friends, neighbors and colleagues, and also from "surprising places" that include police officers who worked on the case, several of whom attended the funeral, reporters and photographers who covered it, and also from strangers. He read a letter from a family "about to walk away" from their Suffolk County home due to the financial crisis, and even though they didn't know Leah or her family, they enclosed a check in her memory.
In a pamphlet distributed at the funeral, the Hirschel family issued the following statement, "Thank you, once again, to all of Leah's friends and colleagues for your outpouring of support and comfort in these trying times. We share in your grief as you share in ours, and we hope you take some strength from us as we have from you."
Because of the tremendous publicity the case has received, the family asked that they be allowed to grieve without visitors. The Hirschels also said that in lieu of flowers or gifts, those whose lives were touched by Leah could consider making a contribution to the school for autistic children where she has taught since September, and loved - The School of Language and Communication Development, 100 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Cove, N.Y. 11542, or www.slcd.org.
After the funeral, Leah Hirschel Walsh was buried in Beth Moses Cemetery, in Farmingdale.
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