From the Cantor - September 2003

Shalom, Chaverim:

As we prepare for the Yamim Noraim, we have just emerged from Sh'loshim, the 30-day mourning period for our dear friend, our administrator, James "Jim" Oringderff, whose untimely death shocked and saddened us. Jim was looking forward to his first High Holy Days at Congregation Albert. A devout Christian, he was an active member of Central United Methodist Church. He regarded every bit of his job as our administrator as an adventure and as a pleasurable opportunity to reach out to people. Jim's many questions about Jewish customs and traditions reflected not only ease and acceptance in an interfaith setting; they illuminated him as a true tzadik - a righteous person whose quest to learn more about the world around him only illuminated his own life more. I miss Jim very much. It will be a long time before I can unwrap my mind from saying, "Let's ask Jim," about any temple-related issue. Meanwhile, I seek comfort in the memory of Jim's smile; his infectious laugh; his Texas drawl, with which my own Tennessee twang found kinship; his love of food and family; and his finding fun in his daily labors. Harry Harrison, morning DJ on WABC Radio, New York, always says, "Every brand-new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift." Jim treated life exactly like that. If Yizkor (High Holy Day and Festival memorial services) is a venue for inviting our dear departed to join in our prayers, Jim Oringderff will be a most venerable guest at my Yizkor this year.

Mark and Harry join me in wishing you L'shanah Tovah ti-ka-tey-vu v'te-cha-tey-mu: May you be written and inscribed for a good year.

B'Shalom u-v'shir,
Cantor Jacqueline L. Shuchat-Marx

Previous Bulletin Page
September 2003 Bulletin Home Page
Next Bulletin Page