Going above and beyond.

Sitting at my desk, tears rolling down my cheeks, watching the emotional moment when IDF soldiers discovered the body of Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza. With a deep sense of relief and with faithful singing of “Ani Maamin”, they cried and celebrated simultaneously, escorting Ran’s holy body back to his family, to his homeland, allowing them to bury him like Jew. NO ONE on earth cares about their people the way we do; breaking every boundary, overcoming every obstacle, to ensure that our people, alive or deceased, are treated with respect, dignity and love, never leaving one of our own behind, leaving them alone or feeling alone.

In this week’s Torah portion, B’Shalach, we read about how Moses, with the help of Asher’s stepdaughter Serach, found Joseph’s coffin beneath the Nile River and ensured that he’s brought along during the exodus to eventually be buried in Israel. Before his passing, Joseph asked that his body be exhumed and buried in Nablus, and Moses, along with the Jewish people, made that happen, ultimately coming to fruition during the days of Joshua. There were spiritual reasons for having Joseph alongside the Jews in the desert, but on a most basic level, we simply don’t leave our people behind. Even when things are difficult, even when the challenges are immense, even when logically we should “give up”, we show up for each other as would be expected of brothers and sisters.

With this idea on my mind I would like to express gratitude to two people who showed up for our children this week, going above and beyond: 1) Charna Rochel, Zeesy’s amazing counselor from Camp Simcha Special, who chose to utilize her winter break and surprise Zeesy for Shabbos, and, because of the storm in New York, stayed with us until Monday morning. It meant the world to Zeesy and to our entire family, and we are so grateful to her. 2) Zaidy Mick stepped up to take Menny to, and from, his soccer game in Belgrade, so that Chavie could focus on Chana Laya’s practice for her Lion King performance and so that I could give my Wednesday night class uninterrupted. We are a family and whether it’s a big need or a small need, we show up for each other to ensure we are never on our own.

We are something else!

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!

Kindness goes a long way.

I lost my mom when I was twenty-nine and that was hard enough, so I have a soft spot for kids who lose a parent before they get to be their parent’s friend. This week our Lev Hospitality Lodge hosted a beautiful group of ten young adults, Yesomim, guys who lost a parent, who came to Bozeman for two days of R&R. They visited Yellowstone, enjoyed snowmobiling, and were pampered with so much love. They also gifted Bozeman with a beautiful Rosh Chodesh Minyan which I cherished, singing Hallel with heart and soul. The organization that cares for these kids is called Links Family and I’m so impressed with my sister Mushkie and her husband Chanochie who are now active with the organization and helping bring joy and optimism to those who, like them, lost a parent.

This week’s Torah portion, Bo, relates the last three of the ten plagues, as well as the exodus from Egypt. We are taught, that the Passover paschal-lamb offering is to be offered, and consumed, by individual families. Occasionally they’d add a neighbor, so there aren’t any leftovers, but as a rule, like the Passover Seder, it is to be “…for his extended family, a lamb or kid for each nuclear family.” So, if you have a mid-size extended family, that’s great, but if the extended family is large and there won’t be enough meat for each family member, you enjoy it just with the nuclear family living in the home. Family isn’t overrated, it’s an awesome blessing, as my dad always tells me “Mishpocho is everything…”.

An orphan is missing an integral part of their family. It aches, it hurts, it creates yearning and when interacting with orphans we are reminded to celebrate the family that we have while we are blessed to have them. As we sang Hallel with the uplifting words of the Psalmist, I couldn’t stop thinking about these boys and their guardian angels on high. No parent wants to leave their children and head to heaven, but knowing that Links Family is there for them, giving them hope, opportunities and meaning, is a comfort, and the Jewish community is blessed that there is a family for these amazing Neshamos.‍

Our Jewish Family!‍

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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