From the Cantor - April 1999

The following words, by Clara R. Schutz, are framed on a wall of the fifth floor of St. Joseph’s hospital. I share them with you in part:

"Blessed are they who understand my faltering step and palsied hand. Blessed are they who know that my ears today must strain to catch the things they say. Blessed are they who seem to know that my eyes are dim and my wits are slow. Blessed are they with a cheery smile who stop to chat for a little while. Blessed are they who looked away when coffee spilled at the table today. Blessed are they who never say, "You’ve told that story once today." Blessed are they who know the ways to bring back memories of yesterdays. Blessed are they who make it known that I’m loved, respected, and not alone."

Once again I would like to thank the Girl Scouts, whose Shalach Manot ("gifts of sustenance") baskets brought smiles to the faces of a dozen people who would otherwise not have been able to share in the fun of Purim.

For making our Purim service and -spiel so terrific, special thanks to Verrity Gershin, Richard Brown, Glenda Orchant, Judy Weinstein, Bonnie Evnetzky, Fran Newman, Tony Pakinkis, the (27 at last count!) children of HaShirah, Trienah Gorman and Roberta Greenberg. Thanks to Hollywood for inspiring the title of our Purimspiel, Meet Mighty Young Joe Black, but most of all, a big thank-you to our own Rabbi Joseph Black for being a terrific sport about playing, and being, the title character. Todah rabbi — I mean, rabbah!

But…Purim, Purim, Purim lano; Pesach, Pesach a la mano! This Ladino folksong says that Purim is behind us and Pesach is at hand. When you gather around the Seder table, don’t stop with the Exodus story. Take the opportunity to tell — and hear — and repeat — the stories of your own family’s journey to their present location and situation. Remember also, that "somewhere tonight there’s a free man; somewhere else, freedom’s just a song of the heart." These words by Doug Mishkin remind us that, as long as oppression exists in part of the world, the Exodus is not yet complete.

Chag Sameach, a zissen Pesach, Happy Passover! Enjoy your matzah in any language. And on Saturday night, April 17, please join me in the sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. for the second annual Cantor’s Concert, featuring Zamir and HaShirah. Please note the early starting time (and a shorter program) this year, in order to accommodate all who are involved in Religious School the next day!

B’shalom u-v’shir,
Cantor Jacqueline Shuchat-Marx

Previous Bulletin Page
April 1999 Bulletin Home Page
Next Bulletin Page