This week, in which we commemorated the Rebbe’s 32nd Yahrzeit, I was called by a Bozeman Health chaplain to visit a Jewish woman in the Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. She was struggling emotionally/mentally but due to drug addiction, family discord and homelessness, she’s also struggling with physical health challenges. This week we also had the honor of sponsoring dinner for a group of IDF soldiers (first group of two) who are spending time in Montana’s wilderness recovering from the trauma of war. Great Falls’ Shluchim, Rabbi Mendel and Devorah Leah Spiero, welcomed them to Big Sky Country and in addition to feeding their bodies, Reb Mendel also helped many of them lay Tefillin before heading into the backwoods.

The Rebbe role modeled love for us.

In this week’s Torah portion, Korach, Gd tells Moses to take a staff from each of the twelve tribes, with the name of each tribe's prince/leader written on their staff. Another staff was taken to represent the tribe of Levi with Aaron's name written on it. The thirteen staves were placed overnight in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle. Next morning they were removed, and miraculously Aaron's staff had budded with almond blossoms and almonds, providing further proof that Aaron was Gd's choice for High Priest. What’s interesting is that in the morning when it was time to wrap up the test, the verse says “Moses took out all the staffs from before God to all the Israelites. They saw, and each man took his staff”. Why do we need to know that they each price took their staff back? My friend Reb Avrum Kaufmann shared with me that perhaps the Torah is teaching us that it’s not enough to celebrate the High Priesthood of Aaron, we must also take our staff, our own unique personality and talents, and utilize them to share Hashem with the world.

I remember the Rebbe’s illness, I remember his passing, I remember his funeral and the Shiva that followed; for many years Gimmel Tammuz was, for me, a day of mourning, waiting for the twenty-four painful hours to pass. Yet, this isn’t the case anymore. With each passing year I miss the Rebbe a little less, and yet I feel him more and more. I can live in the past, it’s warm and safe, but thirty-two years later I am not there anymore. I celebrate my memories, I cherish my twelve years that spent with the Rebbe, but mostly, I spend my time focused on bringing his invaluable teachings to all who will listen and to shine the light that he entrusted me with to everyone in my circle. It’s not enough to be impressed by Aaron, the moment demands that we grab our staff and lead the way for those seeking Hashem’s light.

Nafshi Chomdah Betzeil Yodecha!

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!

She held it back for a bit, and then she couldn’t anymore. When she hugged her Special Ed teacher Ms. Tracey goodbye, she burst out crying.

After three years of Middle School at Anderson, Zeesy graduated 8th grade, leaving behind this special haven of awesomeness. She was so sad to leave and who could blame her? She was immersed in a world of love, light and so much personal attention. Her crying made me, Chavie and the teachers cry too, but it was tears of joy, tears of appreciation, knowing that our daughter was enveloped with so much care in a place that cherished her for who she is. Chavie and I will be forever grateful to Anderson, as well as Sacajawea and Longfellow for giving our kiddos a place to grow.

In this week’s Torah portion, Shelach, we read about the tears of fear that paralyzed the Jews upon hearing the report from ten of the twelve spies who returned from Israel with a message of doom and gloom. G-d had already promised the Jews that He would take them into the Holy Land, there was no reason to be worried, but they cried and cried and cried some more. G-d said “You wept in vain; I will establish it for you as a time of weeping for all generations” which later became Tisha B’Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. Crying reflects overwhelm and it’s therapeutic, there’s nothing like a good cry, but crying over an imaginary fear is something we expect of children, not mature adults who believe that G-d runs the world.

As a parent, there’s nothing that makes me more delighted than seeing our children treated well and happy. I’ve said this for a long time; we are so blessed in Bozeman to have educators that genuinely care about each child and their unique needs. Renowned author and child therapist Haim Ginott writes that “Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.” While society may focus a bit too much on the academics, “no child left behind”, aiming to ensure that our kids will succeed in college, Chavie and I are appreciative that Bozeman’s educators aren’t just focused on academics, but on training the youth to see their innate value, to reveal their talents and abilities, and do so with warmth and an understanding that no two children are alike. If my kids are going to cry, I prefer it to be tears of gratitude.

Congrats Zeesy and go rock it in High School!

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!