“… never give up hope!”

We started off February with the Tu Bishvat Seder – one of my favorite holidays of the Jewish Year. We had a wonderful crowd and the food was great! Thanks to the Ritual Committee. The guy who led the service leaves a lot to be desired as a lay leader, but I got though it with the help of Amy Heeren on the keyboard leading the music portion of the service. I was pinch hitting for the Rabbi who was in Kansas City attending to his mother and the passing of his father. Our prayers go out to the Thalblum family. We also need to send our prayers to the Reider family for the passing of Sue Reider. Steven Feder, who grew up at Temple Judah, also passed away the same day Sue passed. I felt like the rug has been pulled out from under my feet with all the deaths in the congregation this past month. However, we have received great news about Tony Smiths’ health problems. Please keep him in your prayers as he goes to Mayo for surgery. I did want to mention one of my long-time referee friends Mohammed, who is Muslim, was on a ventilator for 2 months and seemed close to death. The last time I visited him at the hospital he didn’t even recognize me and seemed like he was not even alert. I even went so far as contacting the Imam and talked to him about making sure he would have a proper burial at the Muslim Cemetery. However, almost as if my prayers were answered, a miracle happened. He recovered, had his trach removed, and is now in a rehab facility. So, with all deaths and down news this month, I am thrilled to be able to have this silver lining. It just proves you should never give up hope!

I want to thank Sarah Odem for her work on the Tikkun Olam Committee. She has stepped in and is doing a tremendous job! Also, we need to thank Mike and Amy Heeren for stepping in to fill in doing services for the Rabbi when he was with his family.

I know, I know, I mention this every month…but I really believe it! I always keep in the back of my mind that, as a member of Temple Judah, we are all one large family. We come together to celebrate wonderful occasions like Tu Bishvat or Purim, Bat and Bar Mitzvahs, baby naming’s, conversions, high school graduations and marriages. But we also support those who are ill and sit shiva with our members who have lost loved ones.

Please join the Temple Judah family and do your part and contribute to keeping the flame alive and burning bright. Don’t sit on the outside, looking in. Participate!!

Shalom.
Brian D. Cohen
President