Mourning and Growing

I have been thinking about how to write this blog for a few days.  There is no elegant way to gradually introduce the topic or news. So, my Rabbi died a few days ago. It was sudden and devastating to his family, friends and community.  I didn’t have a personal relationship with him, but he touched my life often. Still, I was surprised how much sadness I felt by his sudden departure from this planet. He was only 44 years old and had so much more to do to help people and make sense of life.

He gave me one last gift just a few days prior to his death.  He called me to ask how I was doing. He knew I had Parkinson’s disease. He was checking in to see how I was surviving during the tough time of avoiding COVID-19 and the isolation that can go with it. I took the opportunity of the phone call to ask how he was doing.  Also, I told him that I enjoyed the weekly Dvar Torah emails (an essay on the Torah portion for the week with comments on how it may relate to us today) and weekly short videos he was sharing.  They were full of wisdom and always gave me an opportunity to reflect on the topic and how I might incorporate the insights into my life.  I said, “You are a wise man.”  I am so glad I did that and hope it gave him a warm feeling that he touched me with his efforts and teachings.

The Rabbi’s funeral was live-streamed since we can still not gather in masses.  It seemed to actually be a blessing for a lot of people, though. Over 1200 people from all over the globe attended.  People he touched from school, camp, rabbinical school, other congregations, community events, family and friends were all able to say their last good-byes. I’m sure there were no dry eyes.

The last email the Rabbi sent to his congregation ended with the following paragraph.

“You and I can change the world. In the adversity that we are living in, in the challenging time that we have currently in our lives, we…have the ability to make the world a better one in doing Tikkun Olam [repairing the world through social justice]. What if 2020 is the year that we have been waiting for? A year that is so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw, that it finally forces us to grow? A year we finally band together, instead of pushing each other apart. 2020 isn’t cancelled, but rather the most important year of them all. Let’s remind ourselves – you and I can change the world. Let’s start today.”

In the Rabbi’s memory and for my own personal growth, I am starting today. There seems to be a large spark which has started a new movement that could change the world. I want to be involved, not on the sidelines.  Join me?

I’d like to hear from you.  Please leave comments below.

I started a podcast – The Parkinson’s Experience. You can listen from my blogs page – https://17branches.org/blogs/. Or, you can search for the title on any of the podcast apps on your mobile phone, tablet or on Alexa. The first topic is on PD Medications and is worth listening and learning. Don’t forget to Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss an episode.