Our Safta, Erika Weinberger z”l, dedicated much of her life to alleviating the hunger of others. Born in Hungary just before the outbreak of World War II, she and her siblings were hidden during the war in a Red Cross orphanage. Erika set aside her own hunger pains to share her meager food rations with her younger sister. After the war, she was reunited with her parents, who opened their home to their fellow survivors, providing food, shelter, and comfort to those who had lost everything. These early experiences shaped Erika’s lifelong commitment to caring for those in need.

After escaping communist Hungary in 1956, Erika settled in Brooklyn, where she married and raised a family. Years later, Erika relocated to Los Angeles to help run a popular kosher restaurant and catering establishment, where the needy of the neighborhood would seek her out on Friday afternoons to receive the free, beautifully packaged Shabbos meals that she set aside just for them. In her later years, Erika returned to New York to be closer to her family and opened her home to friends, family, and neighbors to share meals and celebrate Shabbos, holidays, and special occasions together. Her warmth and ability to make each person feel understood and valued soon led her to become known as “everyone’s Safta”. 

Erika was a generous baalas chesed who quietly forged philanthropic relationships with local tzedakah organizations that feed the hungry and provide care for the children and families of our communities. Through her unwavering commitment, she helped nourish countless lives. Today, our family strives to follow our Safta’s example of giving assistance and support to those who are in need of a helping hand. The Safta Foundation has been established in her honor.