Acts of Kindness

     I have a subscription to Woman;s Day magazine and they have a column named The Kindness Project which celebrates and encourages kindness in the world. I have to admit that this was one of the reasons I subscribed to the magazine. The world seems to be experiencing such darkness lately that the focus on kindness seems like  a beacon of hope .
      In the spirit of the kindness project and to tip the scales of the world toward a kinder , gentler place I will recount an act of kindness that I witnessed on the Q train in NYC this week.
     One day this week after the Q train left the Dekalb Avenue station the woman sitting across from me threw up and almost fainted. One women asked if there was a doctor or nurse on the train of which there were not. Many people offered the sick woman a plastic bag for her to throw up in , others gave her water and Kleenex. When we finally got to Canal Street someone got out of the subway car and told the conductor about the sick passenger. This is not anomaly . This happens whenever someone is sick on the subway. Even hardened New Yorkers step up when necessary. Not always, but often enough to give me hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Chabad Of Poway

     On the last day of Pesach a great tragedy occurred . The Chabad of Poway  which is in San Diego, California was attacked by  an anti-semitic gunman. One woman was murdered and three others were injured. The woman who was murdered specifically went to shul that day to say yizkor for her dearly departed mother. Lori Gilbert- Kaye's  body blocked the killer from mudering the rabbi.
      Meanwhile in the shul there was an military veteran who ran after the murderer and scared him so  he ran out. By miracle the shooter's gun jammed which also prevented him from continuing . Another congregant was an off duty border patrol agent who ran out and shot at the shooter's getaway car. No one should have died that day, but it is miraculous that the  gun jammed.
         After Yom Tov Rabbi Goldstein recounted  with tears what happened at his shul and eulogized his slain friend and congregant. It was such a kiddush Hashem. Chabad of Poway posted Lori Kaye's picture and celebrated her life. The biggest tragedy is that Lori Kaye was such a lovely neshamah and most of us may never have heard of her greatness had such tragedy never happened. We must celebrate inspirational people every day .
         Via facebook I watched some of the funeral at the shul as well as at the cemetery. Truly heartbreaking. Then again , truly amazing that the world is so small that on Facebook I could watch the funeral.
        The best of humanity was displayed in that shul this past shabbos as well as the worst of humanity. I wish it hadn't taken such a tragedy to be virtually introduced to some of the most wonderful people on earth.(The members and rabbi of the Chabad of Poway)
       The Chabad of Poway has some of the kindest and caring  members . May they never know any more pain . May all of Lori Gilbert-Kaye's friends and family be comforted . by the fact that we all miss her . May we never know any more sadness. 

Celebrate Passover With 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Themed Maxwell House Sed...

   This year there is a Marvelous Mrs. Maisel themed Maxwell House haggadah that you can get on amazon when you order select maxwell house coffee for a limited time. Being a fan of Maisel I ordered some coffee to get my copy. I think that this is ingenious and outright marvelous. Who would think that such a kitschy  show would encourage people mostly Jews who are not necessarily orthodox to get a traditional haggadah? This is something aish hatorah and chabad have not even cooked up. This is more like a Jew in the City ploy, but amazon beat her to the punch. I think this is proof that mashiach is coming soon and surely our singing of next year in Jerusalem will prove to be true.

Manischewitz Almonetta Wine with Sammy Davis

  Apparently he did a wine commercial for Manischewitz wine as well

Sammy Davis, Jr: I’ve Gotta Be Me Preview | American Masters | PBS

  I had the privilege of watching a screening of this documentary at the JCC Manhattan last week, The  producer Sam Pollard there for q &a at the end.
      I remember being fascinated by Sammy Davis Jr. as a kid. He was the first black Jew that I had ever heard of. I knew that he converted to Judaism as a result of a horrible accident and he was a funny performer on tv. I also remember fondly the mogen david wine commercial that he was in .
That's about it. When I got older I learned that he was part of the rat pact mostly because of the newly dubbed brat pack that was part of the 80's movies .
      I watched this documentary to learn more about this cultural icon. I learned that he grew up poor and was a performer since he was 3 years old.  He was a great mimic and he was  one of the first modern black performers. I also found out why he wanted to be Jewish.
      I think that one of the most profound parts of the movie is how he felt he was post - racial  and though he had a lot of tough times he persisted with the help of good friends. He was very close with Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin and Joey Bishop who were all there for him in good times and in bad.
     Once Davis was asked to perform on Yom Kippur by a Jewish director to which Davis refused stating it was Yom Kippur and he could not perform then. This of course shook up the Jewish producer. Often those who adopt a religion uphold it more steadfastly than those who were born in to it. I know that his conversion was probably not orthodox, but the lesson is just as strong.
     This documentary will be on American Masters on February 19 on PBS. It is uplifting and informative. Definitely two thumbs up. 

Reasons

   Often when bad things happen people are quick to assign reasons . Sometimes they are correct but not always. Everything bad that happens to a person is not always a punishment. I think that sometimes its just a test. Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger .
    I do not know why my brother died suddenly at a young age. I personally do not think that his short life span was a punishment for him. I think that he was just not meant to live a long life. I think that having a brother pass away suddenly at a young age is  a test for me. It is not an easy thing to have to go through. My brother was a wonderful person and I am sad that he is no longer in this world but I am VERY glad that he was my brother. The world is a brighter place because he was in it.
    I think that people want everything to have a pat answer and reason, but life really isn't like that. Life is full of uncertainty and times of being off  balance. When we give in to the certainty of the uncertainty then we can live.We don't have to always know the reasons but  its okay to ask the questions. 

Death and Life

     I haven't written in quite awhile as I have had a lot to think about and was not ready to compose my thoughts and commit them to paper.
     My youngest brother passed away suddenly the same week as the Tree Of life shul massacre. It has been a heartbreaking few months.
     So much of life is unexpected.  Its always like this but we like to forget that it is. I don't know why my youngest brother passed away suddenly. For whatever reason it was his time. I wish that there was something that I could have done to prevent it, but I couldn't . I wish that I could have spent more time with him and now  I can't . I am so grateful to  have known the creative and fun loving person who was my youngest brother . I just wish that it was longer. I know that he knew that we (my whole family) loved him , I just wish that I could tell him so again  and be in his presence again.
      When I first learned of his passing I felt the sunshine of my memories of him in my mind's eye. I remember so clearly that beautiful blue eyed baby with the light brown curls. I remember how much fun we had together as kids and then as adults.
       I know that everyone wishes that they had more time to spend with their loved ones before they pass on . Its profoundly felt when this person passes on when they are still in their prime. All I am left with is the feeling that one really must make the time to spend time with loved ones because one really does not know how long anyone has to spend with them.