17/09/2026
If you never had the privilege of meeting Phyllis, we really wish you had - you would have absolutely loved her. Phyllis was a high-energy English teacher and debate coach who lived and breathed Torah and Gemara. If you sat down to learn with her, you had to be ready for the long haul; she famously refused to skip a single source because she genuinely believed every detail was too important to leave out. Even when she got sick, she kept up a steady stream of Divrei Torah for her friends. She was a true "doer"- constantly looking for ways to grow and serve Hashem, even when life threw its toughest challenges her way. In Chashmonaim, she gathered a close-knit support team of women, but she made sure it was never a one-way street; they got just as much spiritual energy and learning back from her as they gave. She had an infectious sense of gratitude for every small act of kindness, and she also made sure her schedule had plenty of room for candy and ice cream.
As her Hadran friends and "sisters in Daf", we are incredibly proud to dedicate this Siyum of Masechet Chullin to her memory. It feels entirely fitting to finish a masechet that is all about the gritty, physical details of daily life and elevate it to the spiritual - because that is exactly how Phyllis lived every single day. The learning groups, Tehillim circles, and Daf Yomi dedications running in her name gave her strength in tough times, and we are keeping her seat at our table warm. We finish this masechet with Phyllis close in our hearts, knowing she is cheering us on and guiding our learning from above.
We invite you to join us as we dedicate the Siyum of Masechet Chullin tomorrow (Friday) in Phyllis's memory. Her friend, Debbie Gevir, will be sharing some memories.
