Hi-
… Hope you’re having a great day.
Please allow a very personal note.
Today is my Mom’s yartzeit. The anniversary of her passing.
“Elisheva bas (daughter of) Dov Ber”.
And it’s because of her that I write Torah Minutes. That I have any Torah to teach.
She grew up at a time when most American Jews were drifting away from Judaism.
Especially the younger generation.
But Mom had a passion and love for Torah that couldn’t be shaken.
… When my mother was a teenager her grandmother called her over.
She wanted to talk to her privately. Had a favor to ask of her.
Not what you would expect a “Bubby” to ask of a 15-year-old girl!
But it tells you a lot about America in those days. And a lot about my Mom.
What did she say to her?
She said, “Please promise me. If at all possible.
G-d willing, you’ll have children. Have someone in your family named after me.
Because I know that I can count on you.
Your children will live by the Torah! They will make me proud!”
… You may be wondering if Mom was able to honor her grandmother’s request!
My niece Shaindel is named after Mom’s grandmother.
And she lights Shabbat candles every week with Mom’s candelabra.
Shaindel is blessed with nine children!
And each and every one is being raised with a love of Torah.
In her “spare time”?
She teaches Torah in a Jewish day school. She speaks in her community.
People are inspired by her lessons. By her lectures.
But most importantly?
They’re inspired by her love for Judaism.
Because it’s contagious!
How right my great grandmother was!
… And there’s more.
You may remember something else that I’ve mentioned about Shaindel.
It’s her husband Yehudah who suffered spinal injury in a terrible accident.
People all over the world have been inspired by his faith and strength of character.
He has even spoken publicly about his experience.
And he can’t wait to get back to teaching Torah!
… There’s the old saying, “Behind every great man is a great woman”!
Shaindel has managed to juggle raising nine children with taking care of Yehudah!
She’s been a constant source of faith and inspiration.
And she doesn’t stop smiling!
(She’s also very humble. She may be upset at her Uncle Moshe for writing about her.
But she’ll get over it. And she’ll be smiling again very soon!)
I’ve always felt it. But it’s even more striking now…
How right my great grandmother was!
And Shaindel is an amazing tribute to my Mom’s memory!
… CBC Radio inOttawa broadcasted a beautiful documentary about Yehudah.
You can hear Yehudah and Shaindel talk about their experience.
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2011/04/21/the-unfinished-journey-of-rabbi-simes/
I’m sure you will find it moving, inspiring and even life changing!
All the best,
Rabbi Moshe Katz
Director
ChicagoTorah Network
2832W. Touhy Avenue
Chicago,IL60645
P 773. 761. 0400 ext. 201
F 773. 761. 9262