JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Rivka Shotkin, whose courage and unwavering faith inspired thousands after she was paralyzed in a skiing accident as a teenager, has become engaged to Yosef Sharifian.

Shotkin was 16 when a skiing accident in January 2021 at a resort in upstate New York left her paralyzed from the chest down. After crashing into a tree at high speed, she was airlifted to a trauma center, where doctors treated her for life-threatening injuries, including a severe spinal cord injury.

Rather than allowing the accident to define her, Shotkin became an inspiration to many through her message of resilience, optimism and emunah. Her appearance on the Meaningful People podcast, viewed and shared by thousands, resonated across the Orthodox Jewish community as she spoke candidly about rebuilding her life and choosing gratitude despite extraordinary challenges.

In 2023, Shotkin demonstrated that determination by completing the Miami Marathon in her wheelchair as part of Chai Lifeline’s Team Lifeline. She raised more than $15,000 for the organization—far exceeding her fundraising goal—as a way of thanking Chai Lifeline for the support it provided during her recovery.

Over the past several years, Shotkin has continued to share her journey publicly, encouraging others facing hardship to focus on faith, purpose and hope. Her story has touched countless people, who have followed her progress through interviews, speaking engagements and social media.

News of her engagement to Yosef Sharifian prompted an outpouring of congratulations from friends, family and admirers throughout the Jewish community, many of whom have celebrated the milestone as another chapter in her remarkable journey.