From Queen Esther to Esther Pollard zl, there hasn’t been such an Esther. Self sacrifice, working against the odds, enemies everywhere, persistence, pure faith in HaShem, never deterred by “evil decrees”, believing in Am Yisrael for Eretz Yisrael and ultimately achieving their goals- these all typify our two Esthers.

Today on Erev Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph, Esther Pollard zl- the lioness of Judah and the modest pillar behind the 30 plus years-struggle to have her husband Jonathan released from the American jail – passed away onto Gan Eden.
Half of Esther’s life was dedicated and ‘sacrificed’ for a unique purpose – To ensure the release of Jonathan and to freely walk SIDE BY SIDE WITH HIM in the alleyways of Jerusalem (And Beit Yonatan of the Shiloach) and on the mountain tops of the Shomron.

She dreamed of the day when she would be “home” with Jonathan with their “national family” – Am Yisrael B’Eretz Yisrael. And thank G-d, Esther indeed managed to materialize her dream and Jonathan’s dream.

This writer can only imagine the feeling on that first Friday evening after his release – at the Shabbat table when Jonathan was able to freely sing from the depths of his heart- Eshet Chayil. The modest and humble woman of valor who fought against many Hamans, against slightly apathetic and scared Israeli Governments, against the odds and who persevered with pure belief to have her husband released – was sitting in front of him.

Queen Esther had a role to play in our Jewish history. Notwithstanding – both the life threatening evil decrees against our Jewish people that were initiated by Haman, and the antisemites from Amalek who ultimately fell – She rose to power with Mordechai and her son Darius (II) ultimately allowed for Jerusalem to be rebuilt. The second Temple was then dedicated in the month of Adar- the month of pure joy and extra happiness.

Esther was a beautiful actress in the unfolding Heavenly drama orchestrated by HaShem and everything fell perfectly into place over the 11-12 years of the Purim story.

Our modern day Esther z’l (Elaine Zeitz) seemingly also had a role to play in our national history. She sacrificed everything for Jonathan and for his release over a 30 years period. And Jonathan himself sacrificed 30 plus years of his own life, languishing in solitary and various jails – all for “his” Am Yisrael.

This couple were and are simply some of the “righteous human actors” in HaShem’s unfolding redemption process – in which we find ourselves today. Esther Pollard has left a legacy. And together with Jonathan they have shown all of us, the ultimate value of mesirut nefesh for our people.

We are now entering the two months of Adar – months of extra happiness and double building of Jerusalem. The walls of Jerusalem were completed in Adar and the Second Temple was dedicated by the small group of returnees also in Adar. It’s a big mitzvah to be in simcha and it’s also a huge mitzvah to redeem and rebuild Jerusalem. So let’s maybe take the opportunity to rejoice in rebuilding Jerusalem in these months of Adar.

We at Ateret Cohanim may also be just a small group of builders working against the odds – against the ideological bankrupt ‘left wing’, against anti Israel world bodies, against Arab hatred, violence and terror and maybe even lacking funds. But with emunah (faith), with perseverance, with mesirut nefesh (self sacrifice and dedication) and with the same spirit of the Esthers and Jonathan- we can and we will redeem and rebuild Jerusalem.

Chodesh Adar Sameach

**If anyone has ideas or wishes to be involved in a project dedicated to Esther Pollard, please be in touch with our offices .