Beautiful Moments
Dear Jim,
Stuart & I have been moved all evening remembering some of the very special moments today.
I weeped through much of the Pzukei Dzimrah--listening to you, Louisa, Hannah, Zoe, Andi, Kate, and Mara...
Some of the other moments that stand out:
The gift of Andi's reading of the Marge Piercy snail poem--about the deep Jewish understanding and familiarity with transition--of moving on and knowing that wherever you are, wherever you eat, that is home. Humility, flexibility, and inner strength are true aspects of Jim and for generations of Jewish people, encouraging us all to go forward through this time of transition.
When you left the room to pull in Judith, who had so clearly recently shed many tears, only to tell us that her mother, whom you often visited at Holton Home, passed away last night. Your chanting of part of El Molai Rachamim, your arm around her, struck a very deep chord. Those moments embodied how you have facilitated our community coming together around each other, showing us that there is no question about how we do so in the case of our multi-faith families.
The anchor of having Faith and Abe on the bimah side-by-side with families who experienced such unthinkable loss, and knowing (to some extent) how deeply you were there for them was overwhelming.
That your invitation to "anyone who has never come up for an aliyah" resulted in Dan, who looked so old and strong--coming up and saying the blessing, so quietly with you, vividly reminding me how many children have grown up with your confidence and encouragement.
(I don't know if you saw this one.) When you called up the Torah team and Johnny didn't move. Allen was sitting further back and came down the stairs, standing behind Johnny and whispering something to him. JLL made a bunch of different faces, smiled, and then got up.
Then we moved on to the shul and hearing people's stories about you...
Reb Rebecca saying that more than anyone she has ever known, you embody Hillel's proscription for how to live: "Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving your fellow creatures and bringing them close to the Torah."
Willow, thanking you through her tears for being there for them and especially for Talya.
Ruth appearing, in her matter-of-fact way, the day before her 95th birthday. Louisa and I visited with her a few times after your "traife date" and she always laughed, thinking about how "foolish" she had been to order shrimp "with the Rabbi." She told us many times how much it mattered to her that you visited and called, that she felt included.
The beautiful piece composed for you by Zeke, played by Zeke and Linda.
The many many stories of how you have made people feel welcomed and important, and others speaking of how you were there for people in their most significant moments.
Norma thanking you and saying simply, "This was wonderful."
I am so grateful to have had today, being with so many people who have loved you, Jim, and grown through knowing you these years.
Yasher Koach,
Julie
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