Jerusalem Pharmacy Honors Customer With Synagogue Gift

A small family pharmacy in Jerusalem turned a simple act of generosity into an unforgettable tribute that left one family speechless.

Miriam Glassman moved from Pennsylvania to Jerusalem at age 93 to live with her family in the German Colony neighborhood. For six years, she became a regular at Mazor Pharmacy, a tiny neighborhood fixture run by the Kimiagarov family since 1981.

When Miriam passed away last November at age 100, her family brought back unopened medications and supplies to the pharmacy. The Kimiagarovs offered a refund, but the family declined, asking them instead to sell the items and do something good with the money.

Months later, the pharmacy owners sent a stunning surprise to Miriam's granddaughter Kim. They had commissioned a majestic 80-inch tall picture showing the Children of Israel crossing the Red Sea on dry land. A plaque on the artwork dedicated it to the memory of Miriam Glassman.

The pharmacy installed the memorial at Seiva Tova Synagogue in Jerusalem's Bukharan Quarter, an active place of prayer and study. Menachem Kimiagarov explained they wanted to honor Miriam for making aliyah at such an advanced age and to celebrate her family's dedication to caring for her at home rather than in an elderly care facility.

The gesture becomes even more remarkable considering Mazor's own struggles. When a large Super-Pharm chain opened directly across the street 12 years ago, neighbors worried the tiny family business wouldn't survive the competition. The pharmacy has persevered despite the odds.

Why This Inspires

Lee Glassman, Miriam's son, describes his family as blessed to have had those six and a half years together. The pharmacy's unexpected tribute transformed a routine customer relationship into something profound.

The Kimiagarovs barely knew Miriam beyond her visits to their counter. Yet they saw her story as worthy of permanent recognition in a house of worship, inspiring others about honoring parents and family.

As Lee Glassman reflects, we don't really know the people behind the counters who form the fabric of our daily lives—the grocers, florists, barbers, and pharmacists. But sometimes they remind us of an ancient Jewish teaching: all of Israel is responsible for one another.