Tzfas, Israel – Sima Zelmanov, principal of the Bais Chana Chabad High School in Tzfas, and grandmother of seven, gave birth recently to her nineteenth child a week after marrying off her sixth child. In doing so, Mrs. Zelmanov, 47, bore an uncle to her grandchildren, the oldest of whom is four. Mrs. Zelmanov is in the unique situation of having both a five-yea-old daughter and this four-year-old grandson. “They are good friends,” Mrs. Zelmanov told Mishpacha a day before the bris.
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Her story generated extensive media coverage [was reported by VIN news] and a kiddush Hashem, as reporters from secular newspapers could not get over the organized calm that reigns in the family’s four-room apartment.
“The media exposure has not been easy for some of them,” says Mrs. Zelmanov. “This is especially true of the married ones. For the little ones, it was an experience. I’m more concerned about the relationships between the siblings, especially since one of my married sons lives abroad. I want them to feel like brothers despite the age gap and the distance between them.”
Mrs. Zelmanov has two important principles in running such a leibidig household: the home must be run with joy, and it must be orderly. She inculcates her children at an early age with positive middos and a schedule, although she strives to retain flexibility. “In principle I don’t want them to suffer,” she explains.
“I don’t want my daughters to be my servants and I don’t want them to lose out on their lives.
Although they have specific jobs, because I think it is educational for a child to know how to help out at home, they never miss out on a school event, and they can attend activities even during the evening. Besides that, I have cleaning help and a babysitter. It greatly contributes to their feeling that they do not shoulder the whole burden, and they have their own time.”
Is there any one secret to your success?
“If one is organized and teaches skills to others, it flows smoothly. Everything depends on the way you look at it; if you view it as a brachah, a challenge that we were chosen to experience, then you manage. Although I was a bit nervous before the last two births because I knew what the doctors were thinking about my age, but baruch Hashem I found that positive thinking really helps.”
Reprinted with permission from this week Mishpacha Magazine
wow, amazing. bh, bli ayin horah, poo poo poo
Baruch Hashem! Kain ayin hara!!! May Hashem give the entire family alot of strength, mazel, bracha, simcha and shalom bayis!!!
she is not the first or the last in klal yisrael in these days to have that many children it is just made public in newspapers………
The wow is not that she gave birth to this size family or that she is raising them. The
Wow is that we have a Sweet Father In Heaven that gave her the gift to give birth to them and may he continue to give her the strength and the wisdom to raise them.
Mazel tov to the family.
I do have one question, however: why not have a picture of the person who is the focus of the article?
because mishpacha magazine never posts any pictures of any woman..this includes golda meir or sarah palin!
I saw her interviewed on israeli tv. she looks fine
I have been a guest at this house about 8 years ago for a shabbos that I spent in tzfas. I still remember, they are a wonderful family and constantly host guests even though its a pretty busy household. It was during the summer so I guess not all of the children were home but they are a very “put-together” family. may Hashem continue to bless them!
Why a maid and babysitter for a 4 room apt and with older children?
I have B”AH ten and never had a maid or babysitter. We can’t afford it.
It does not hurt for children to learn to clean up after themselves or to help their little brothers and sisters. And no, my kids do not miss out on activities or friends, they just get up early and help.
its beautiul, wow ke”h…….asach nachas