What a shock I experienced today on reading the email from Stephen and James. Mrs Marina Smith, you are and were a truly sincere and inspirational lady. The Smith family, with Marina and Eddie at its very heart, have given us such an immense legacy of care, compassion and remembrance for the Holocaust and the[…]
27
Jun
Jun
I mourn the loss of a very dear friend. The one hour, twenty minute train journey from London to Newark and my first meeting with Marina and Stephen at Beth Shalom was for me a life-changing experience. Over the years, since that first meeting, I have enjoyed a very special friendship with Marina. My annual[…]
27
Jun
Jun
They hadn’t realised it was the last time they’d meet together on the ground. As suddenly the beautiful Swallow set off on a new journey across the fields and into the skies. The Sparrow looked up and was glad their last words to each other had been “ I love you.” And that was all[…]
Dear Stephen and James, Deeply, deeply saddened to read your email, it feels very strange, wrong to speak or write of Marina in the past tense. Only last month she and I corresponded and, as always, her emails were full of life energy and life-giving energy. Marina was, is, a force for the good and[…]
Sometimes in life you only need to meet someone once for them to touch your heart and make a deep impression. Marina certainly did that. I was fortunate enough to meet Marina several years ago when our son visited Beth Shalom as part of his pre-Barmitzvah preparations with Bushey Synagogue. I had heard many stories about Marina and the incredible Smith[…]
When I was a happy little six year old in pre-war Holland, a visit to my lovely granny was a highlight. She lived by the seaside in Scheveningen. Whilst playing with my bucket and spade , I asked granny who was sitting in one of those wicker chairs, knitting in Dutch “What’s on the otherside[…]
“Why do you want to work at Beth Shalom?” – this was the beginning of the conversation I had when meeting Marina in 2006. I can’t remembered how I answered, but the answer now would be profoundly different to back then because of everything I have learnt. I have been beyond honoured to have worked for[…]
I visited the Holocaust Center, Bet Shalom, because I got to know Stephen, and was immensely impressed by the originality of the concepts (plural!) that inspired the work there. The fact that it lies next to a village which maintained the medieval traditions seemed to me to be an ideal combination of past, present, and[…]
My heart is broken with the saddest news of the passing of your darling mother Marina I am blessed to have known her over the last 6 years and especially blessed to have been able to say goodbye to her last week when as always she made me feel so special and as always all[…]
“The life of one we love is never lost. Its influence goes on through all the lives it ever touched”. Thank you for your immeasurable service to humanity. May the hearts and minds you touched and inspired through your work, carry on your legacy. You will be missed, Marina. Rest in eternal peace. Sincere condolences[…]
Marina provided me with the most profound strength and love from a recent message she sent me after the sudden death of my partner aged only 37 which broke me. Her words, wisdom and deep felt love within that correspondence carried me through a terrible time. I am forever in her debt and she will[…]
What a sad day for all of those of us who knew and loved Marina and the humanitarian work to which she dedicated her life. The last time I saw Marina was on 10 October last year at the reunion of friends and family of Beth Shalom. As the attached photo of Marina and Frances[…]
27
Jun
Jun
We are forever grateful to the very depths of our beings for the love, support, advice and care Marina provided to us and our family, from that first meeting – Bonfire night, 1987! A date we remember each year when Janet sends roses to Bethany, reminding us of your message to love. I was then[…]
What beautiful photos – the overwhelming emotion shining through them is love. So much love for family, for Eddie & for nature. And so much love being showered on Marina. How fortunate you have all been. And how fortunate for the rest of us to have been touched by Marina’s big heart.
Its with a mixture of Joy and sadness I write this and even with tears in my eyes of gratitude and thanksgiving – on the one hand joy that Mrs Smith is with her Lord whom she loved and served so vigilantly and carefully all her life; what a reward she will deservedly receive…. Well Done[…]
Marina was a very special lady. You could not help but love her and know that she loved you. My brother, Geoffrey Wigoder, helped to found Beth Shalom, and since then she has been in close touch with me, praising and encouraging me in every way. I have such happy memories of my visits to her and Eddie in[…]
This message comes with love to someone who has been truly a part of my life for so many years Marina, we shared the same Scorpio birthday which added to our super close kinship as mothers and `mates` in many ways. I know that you are now at peace and wish Eddie Stephen and James[…]
26
Jun
Jun
Edward Smith Tribute to Marina Smith Sunday 26th June 2022 It was June 1961. I was sitting in the Methodist Minister’s office after Sunday service. There was a little knock at the door – and there in the doorway was a gorgeous girl. ‘My car won’t start. Can I use your phone?’ Bless that broken-down[…]
16
Nov
Nov
From the first time I came to Beth Shalom to speak to school students, I was so impressed by your depth of feeling and understanding, demonstrated in the way in which you introduced survivors, such as me, to the students. You conveyed to them what it means to me to recall the painful experiences I[…]
Marina – The Heart of Beth Shalom. This is what you are to us and to your wonderful family, as well as to your innumerable friends.
Dearest Marina … your ability to warm up people, to address them when they need it most, to show them your understanding and compassion is just unique. Beth Shalom without you would be a different place. For me you are the role model of a human being and mother. I am very happy that I[…]
Dearest Marina … I feel lost for words to summarise your invaluable contribution and the important part you have granted to future generations by your guidance, by your strength of character, generosity of spirit and your example of what the morality of religion should mean to people of all faiths. Your love, your training in[…]
16
Nov
Nov
My love of coming to Beth Shalom is almost like coming to heaven, and it is largely due to you, Marina; to be greeted with a big, warm welcoming smile and a bear hug is very special…. often my friends who have come with me agree. They are often moved to tears.
In a world full of strife, conflict, indifference and selfishness, Marina stands out like a beacon casting her light in places shunned by lesser mortals. Most people feel suspicion when they encounter pure goodness. They are unused to it and initially do not know how to react. However, to be touched and encompassed by Marina’s[…]
16
Nov
Nov
In a world full of strife, conflict, indifference and selfishness, Marina stands out like a beacon casting her light in places shunned by lesser mortals. Most people feel suspicion when they encounter pure goodness. They are unused to it and initially do not know how to react. However, to be touched and encompassed by Marina’s[…]
16
Nov
Nov
The most important aspects of Beth Shalom’s many achievements are the infinite and continuous love and affection combined with real caring which Marina truly exudes. Beth Shalom has become my second home, my church, my synagogue, my place for prayers and a haven in this troubled world.