Get Well
First Hebrew wishes a speedy recovery to:
Morton BenskySeldaBloomeLuz CoronaMurray HalperinEsther KatzGladyKessler
During these cold winter months when the daysare shorter, the cold chill goes through the coat andthe sunny days are few, I sometimes get a bit somberthinking about the loved ones in my family and closefriends that have left us. While it can be difficult atanytime of the year to face the loss of a loved one, orto face the lingering thoughts of the departed, duringthis time of the year having the empty seat at thetable where your mother, father, grandparent orfriend once sat makes one’s heart wish for a simplertime when our youthful innocence and the discretionof our parents shielded us.Now, having already lost my grandparents, mymother and my in-laws, the thoughts of loss areespecially painful at this time of the year.Today, we went to the funeral of a loving andcaring woman who passed away from cancer. Shewas a daughter, mother, wife, grandmother and aperson who truly dedicated herself to importantcauses that touched others. Her grandson hasTuberous Sclerosis, the very same disease as myson Noah. As I listened to the eulogies from herfamily and close friends, it reminded me of theconcept of the “George Bailey moments” we make inour lives. Those specific moments are when we dothings that have a positive impact on the lives ofothers. The eulogies memorialized special moments,memories, important family milestones and the thingsshe did while living that made a difference.It is improper to place a value on one’s life. Yet, inmy opinion, the person who performs mitzvot is aperson who has had a lot of George Bailey momentsand has been able to touch others in a unique andmemorable way. As Jews, we take it as a moralobligation to perform good works, to strive to bebetter persons, to make the world a little better byhaving lived on this small planet for our respectiveallotted “human time”.To get over the feelings of sadness and loss, thehusband had those in attendance speak in unison atleast three times “I celebrate the life of…..” After weall spoke in unison, louder each time, there was afeeling of catharsis and goodness for having raisedour voices in an expression of joy and appreciationfor her life.At the end of our respective days on this earth,when our human time has expired, let us hope thatwe will have given at least one other person a reasonto shout out loud that they celebrate our life. L’Chaim.Shalom.Jeremy Krantz, President
MAZEL TOV…
To Paula & Joseph Martin on the birth of agranddaughter Ruthie Yael Meytin, born on October31, 2008 to Rachel & Sarah Meytin.
Congratulations
The Ruth Taylor Award Fund has selected AmyBurkhard(Fordham University Graduate School ofSocial Welfare) as one of its current yearscholarship recipient. She was recognized atUnited Way of Westchester and Putnam's annualmeeting on October 7th.
MazelTov
2009 ONEGS
Please send your Onegs’list to Beth Becker immediately.See back cover for the form.
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