From the President–August 30, 2019

The leaves are just starting to turn to fall colors – a phenomenon which often serves as a metaphor for the cycle of life. And the cycle, as it always does, has turned.

Temple Beth Hillel has been affected, no devastated, by two sudden deaths. Within a week we lost Alan Sagle and Jay Weidenfeld.  Just as Judaism requires celebrating life in community, Judaism prescribes community as a balm for grief. We help achieve closure with the painful act of piling dirt on the coffin of the deceased together, then we comfort the mourners, and ourselves, by joining in sitting shiva.

Both Alan and Jay were long-term, vibrant members of our synagogue. They prayed with us, studied with us, and repaired the world with us. Temple Beth Hillel was richer for their presence among us, and we will be stronger with the memories of their well-lived lives. Baruch Dayan Ha’emet.

We are what we do.

Neil Zarchin