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October 6, 1999

Eulogy for Minnie Etra (1999)

Eulogies & Memorials
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Eulogy for Marsha Stern (1979)

I rise to speak the eulogy over Marsha this morning, despite great reluctance, because she requested it of me often, very often, directly and indirectly, over a long period of time; and halakhic authority has informed me that mitzvah le 'kayyem divrei ha-met, it is a sacred obligation to fulfill the wishes of the dying. So I speak, despite my hesitation and discomfort and scruples, because it is a mitzvah — and because I loved my friend Marsha dearly.I first met Marsha while co-chairing with her a Yeshiva University Women's Organization function about seven years ago. It was a spiritual and psychological discovery getting to know this attractive, efficient, outspoken, demanding, open-hearted, and extremely generous young woman. From then on we became fast friends, and the friendship increased with every week.What kind of person was Marsha? It is hard to describe her in a single set of adjectives — she was much too human, too complex, and too special for that. Perhaps her personality can best be expressed in the paradox that Carl Sandburg used to describe Abraham Lincoln — she was "made of steel and velvet."The steel was her indomitable will, her incredible bravery, her powerful character. She leaves behind her a legacy of strength and moral courage. At no point, no matter what the provocation, did she succumb to self-pity or to panic. She stared the Angel of Death in the face, and wrested from him his most precious secret: how to live. Marsha maintained that this five-year period of illness and agony was actually the most creative part of her life. She discovered her own identity and learned to be happy with it. Or perhaps it is inaccurate to say that she "discovered" her identity; more correctly, she created it, she forged an identity in the very furnace of affliction.Beset by problems and suggestions of despair that would normally have crushed any ordinary person, she fought back and mastered them. Every rock and every boulder in her path she considered stepping-…
Eulogies & Memorials

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Eulogy for Molly Moed (2007)

“Everybody loves Molly” – and for good reason. Two days to Rosh Hashanah – shofar; Sages: Shapru ma’aseichem – her acts were beautiful. Made friends with everyone – jury duty. Personally visited Zaydies and Aunts aged around 100 – regularly reported to Mindy. She and Isi – among first of wonderful couples to welcome us to The Jewish Center. Linda, Susan, Nadine – Linda born same time as Chaye. Young Couples Club. Active early in TJC Sisterhood. Chaired AMIT – “Mother in Israel” – appropriate because: she and Isi – love for Israel – and so Susan made aliyah at 18. She and Isi bought home in Israel – traveled. Also – CRG. Survived two cancer bouts – with dignity. She and Isi – loved and respected each other dearly, deeply. Kibbud av va’eim – also love and respect for Isi’s parents.Older sister t sistrs.... ELSA...Her rspct fthr-Mther had consqnces- כבד...למען ירבו ימיכם—how? Bec she role model—so her ch כבוד f herSo, she earnd their love/loyalty -so admrbl!Deeply sp’l, genuinely rel. Davnnd /תהילים—Evry dy prayd f prisoners—Nvr missdלדוד ה' אורי וישעי —let me conclude w closing verse: 'אל ה' חזק חאמץ לבך וקוה אל ה mp:-keep on being strong in yr faith- & Gd will give y ever more strength
Eulogies & Memorials

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Eulogy for Mrs. Bertha Green (1997)

Knew her close to 40 years; late husband Joseph. She would have been pleased by participation of her rabbis – but especially proud of magnificent tributes by her grandchildren. Kramer family – she was last surviving sibling; only one of this distinguished family to be born in USA. Source of ברכה – as her name... האי מאן דנפק בירחא דניסן וחזא אילנא דקא מלבלא – בעי לברוכי: ברוך אתה ה׳ א‑להינו מלך העולם, שלא חסר בעולמו כלום, וברא בו בריות טובות ואילנות טובות להנות בהם בני אדם. She was one of the preeminent בריות טובות – and when you meet one such Good Person, it makes all the world seem good, all life worthwhile.-She was a modern צדקת.-her חן + her 70n-AMIT/YUW0/TJC/RAS... -remembrd + acknowldg evry brthdy extnd fam -inveterate letter writer; le style c 'est la femme.. not only content letters, but: penmanship!- reflected hr charctr: easy flowing/smooth/no knots/obstacles, legible/accessible-she gave wife/me a precious gift—ff’p of her chldrn+gr־ch for nearl;y 4 decades &, esp las t 20 yrs—frndshp of Moshe/Charlotte & work fYU as leaders...-woman of stature—both in carriage/reput’n;upstanding+outstandingוהוי מקבל את כל האדם living exemplar of-בסבר פנים יפות—her bear'g/eleganc—& 0, her smile!—a smile ovrflow’g w sincrty, & one y could hear as well as see—a lilt, a chuckle.. >all else wll hv faded fr memory, asyrs merge into decades & decades stretch long, tht smile will remain firmly engravd on the tablets of our memry, radiat 'g warmth/ joy/ encourag't. & f those who know hw t listn carfully, thy wll hear her chuckle, invit 'g y t smile yr own smile, & look t future w confdnc & childrn will relate it gr-ch, & they t theirs..עוד והדר לבושה ותשחק ליום אחרוןלומר ־אמא שלנו איננה״\זה להרגיש שכל החי בר מת\וכל- המלא בך ריק\וכל השמח בו עצוב\וכל המאיר בו חשוך זה להתגעגע ולהתגעגע ולהתגעגע\ ולקנא במלאכיםשבשמים שהיא משרה עליהם עכשיו את יופיה
Eulogies & Memorials