Draft:Pesha Chaya Poupko

Pesha Chaya Poupko (née Sapir; c. 1881 – January 16, 1971) was a notable Jewish rebbetzin, educator, and community figure. She was the wife of Rabbi Eliezer Poupko, a distinguished rabbi and scholar, and the mother of eight children, several of whom became prominent figures in the Jewish community.

Early Life
Pesha Chaya Sapir was born around 1881 in Polatsk, Belarus. She was the daughter of Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Sapir, who served as the chief rabbi of Saratov. As a young woman, Pesha Chaya was well-versed in Talmud and Jewish studies. She taught the children of Saratov, imparting knowledge of Jewish texts and traditions, and was recognized for her scholarship and teaching abilities.

Marriage and Family
Pesha Chaya married Rabbi Eliezer Poupko, a respected rabbi known for his scholarly contributions and community leadership. Together, they had eight children:
 * Morris Poupko
 * Rabbi Baruch Poupko (1916–2010), a significant figure in the Jewish community of Pittsburgh.
 * Yitzchak Poupko
 * Reuven Poupko
 * Avraham Poupko
 * Batya Poupko-Savitsky, who was married to Rabbi Mordechai Savitsky
 * Shoshana Poupko-Schwartz, who was married to Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz

Five of her sons became prominent American rabbis, and her two sons-in-law were also leading rabbinic scholars. Her extensive family includes over 100 children and grandchildren serving as rabbis and teachers across North America and Israel. Pesha Chaya is remembered for raising her children and grandchildren to be devoted to Orthodox Judaism and rabbinic scholarship through the hardships of the Communist Revolution and later after migrating to the United States.

Her sister, Fruma Levinson, was married to Rabbi Yehoshua Levinson, the grandson of the Chafetz Chaim and mashgiach at the Radin Yeshiva. They lived in Radun and, along with their eight children, were killed during the Holocaust.

Community Contributions
As a rebbetzin, Pesha Chaya Poupko played a vital role in supporting her husband's rabbinical duties and contributing to the Jewish community's spiritual and social life. Her efforts in community building and support for Jewish education were well-regarded.She raised a family that produced some of America's most prominent rabbis.

Later Life and Death
Pesha Chaya Poupko lived a long life, spending her later years in the United States, where she continued her involvement in Jewish communal activities. She passed away on January 16, 1971, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pesha Chaya and her husband, Rabbi Eliezer Poupko, are buried in Montefiore Cemetery, Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.

Legacy
Pesha Chaya Poupko's legacy is remembered through her contributions to the Jewish communities in Belarus and later in the United States. Her descendants continue her dedication to Jewish scholarship and leadership, with many serving in significant roles within the Jewish educational and rabbinical spheres in North America and Israel.