The Tova Project

Early in 2023, my friend Tova passed away unexpectedly at the age of 35. I spent a lot of that year thinking about the impact that Tova had on people. When Tova died, it felt like a light went out that I didn’t even know was still shining in my direction. I hadn’t worked with her for a few years yet there were always things that would remind me of her and I learned that I wasn’t alone; after she died a group text began where we would share “signs” we got from Tova—songs she loved, sunsets, her birthday showing up on someone’s lottery ticket, etc. These signs not only remind us of Tova, but they are reminders to stop and appreciate the little moments that make life meaningful. By sharing them with each other, these moments have helped us stay connected to each other.
 
The end of 2023 found me returning over and over to this quote from Buddha:
 

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At the unveiling of Tova's headstone a year after she died, the rabbi referenced something I’d written for her funeral, which was that Tova had a rare talent to not only share in other people’s joy, but to amplify it exponentially. He then referenced the candle quote that I’d already been focused on. After that, I kept thinking about Tova and how much light she spread in her too-short life and how like a candle she was. Suddenly the image of the flame on a “Tova” candle came to me and, well, here we are.
 
My dream is that these little flames will spread—that people will share them with others and those people will share them and soon we’ll be shining Tova’s light everywhere.
 
In Hebrew, “Tova” means “good,” so this is truly “the good project.” Proceeds will benefit a scholarship that Tova’s parents started in her name. It is awarded to teachers of JumpStart preschool, which is where I worked with Tova and where she touched so, so many lives.

Thank you for your donation and/or purchase and for helping to spread Tova’s light.