On Sunday, while attending a Bar Mitzvah in Newport Beach, California, I had the great merit of meeting the Rosh Yeshiva Rav Reuven Feinstein, son of Rav Moshe Zatza”l, a leading sage of American Jewry. Many other guests came over to greet the rabbi and receive his blessings, and I was captured by his personable approach. He was kind, attentive, humorous, soft spoken, and genuine. He’s a man in his late 80’s, but he flew from Staten Island to the West Coast, to attend a family Simcha and remained at the party the entire evening.

Connection.

In this week’s double Torah portion, Tazria-Metzora, we read about Jews who were punished with Tzaaras (miraculous lesions, commonly mistranslated as leprosy). As part of their Teshuva (return) process, they were banned, and isolated, from the Jewish community until they’ve internalized their sin of gossiping and were ready for healing and repentance. They chose to “other” fellow Jews, defaming them and making them feel unwanted, and their reprimand included them experiencing “otherness” by being excommunicated for all to see. Loneliness is detrimental to our wellbeing, yet sadly too many Americans feel lonely without a loving family or solid friend to lean on in companionship. While solitude is rejuvenating and a valuable spiritual practice, loneliness is the “poverty of self” and making someone feel that way is evil.

As I pondered my short experience with Rav Reuven, I realized how important it is for all of us, especially leaders, to give our time and countenance to those seeking it. Giving someone a cold shoulder, ignoring their correspondence, shrugging them off, making believe that they are invisible, these small acts can add fuel to an already fragile fire of isolation. As Chabad Lubavitch of Montana celebrates eighteen years, we are encouraged to know that so many Jews living remotely have been reached and included in our statewide Jewish community, and yet we also feel compelled to remain on point, on mission, ensuring that going forward we pull out all the stops to bring connectedness to every Jew, and every human being, in Big Sky Country.

There will be no more lonely people!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!

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Pesach was spectacular.

Amazing Seders, five morning Minyans, four Priestly Blessings, an uplifting Mashiach Meal Finale, Chavie’s gourmet cooking throughout, my sister Mushkie and her family with us for the holiday, and an overall atmosphere of Jewish pride, empowerment and perseverance. Yizkor is always a reflective service when we remember our loved ones, thinking about what they have given us and pledging to do good in their memory. Saying Yizkor with my sister close by in Shul had its own special touch and felt good in a strange way.

This week’s Torah portion, Shemini, shares the tale of Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu dying after an unsanctioned entry into the Holy of Holies. Aaron mourns deeply, he lost two sons on the greatest day of his life when chosen to be High Priest and inaugurate the service in the Tabernacle, and while he remains silent and refrains from public grieving, the pain, and sadness, that he lived with in the aftermath was great. La Familia is real, and nothing can fill that space. It is true that family can be challenging, but having Mushkie and crew with us for Yom Tov, reminded me how much I love my family, miss having them close by, and how much they mean to me.

Earlier this week, Chaya headed back to school in Chicago. She’s enjoying High School, growing up beautifully, but it’s very hard being away from home at the age of 15. Just before takeoff in Bozeman, she texted me “No videos :(“. I realized that she was seeking a distraction on the three-hour flight, because leaving home, leaving the loving cradle of warmth and love, even if chaotic at times, is never easy, no matter how many times we do it. Sometimes we realize how much we love our family when they are gone; my goal is to ensure that my family knows how much I love them while they are alive and well.

Thank you Mushkie and Chanochie; come back soon!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!