A Message from Rabbi Yitz (Sept. 2006)

I recently returned from my family in Pittsburgh after sharing with them the passing of my stepfather, Maniee Goldenberg, of blessed memory. It was challenging and meaningful to be both a mourner and the rabbi for the funeral.
 As a mourner, I appreciated the gestures of consolation, friendship and support that arrived at my brother’s home where Shonna and I were staying and those that greeted us upon our return to Eugene. As a rabbi preparing a eulogy, I once again discovered the preciousness of one single life.

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We are Given These Days

I sat with Shonna, my brother and sister-in-law, my sister and mother, my stepsister and her life partner, and we each shared our memories and insights about Maniee. We wondered together about the formative incidents of his childhood, and spoke of his enduring inner goodness of spirit, and the way he cheerfully whistled his favorite songs even when life had gotten so difficult in his final years. Once again, as I so often have with families in our congregation, I was amazed at the way in which each of us had unique and quite varied experiences with Maniee, and yet how everyone recognized core attributes that seemed ever present.

In preparing a eulogy, life patterns become apparent, early formative incidents and relationships become clearly understandable as the shaping forces of those patterns and give reason to qualities that can, at times, seem inexplicable.

Each one of us embodies an unimaginably precious and singular world of experiences, qualities, capacities and infinite intricacies of our being that make us who we are, each one an irreplaceable treasure in this wondrous creation.

The month of Elul and the coming Days of Awe are particularly dedicated to the purpose of productive examination of our lives. We are given these days to scrutinize the patterns and choices that form our lives. We are reminded of our capacity to exercise free will, that unique capacity that sets us apart from other life forms. We are guided to consider if our patterns and choices are composing a life story that we wish to alter through the power of our will.

May we each use this time wisely and take to heart the value of our lives and the significance that our lives hold for those whose lives are bound to ours.

May this season be a time of renewal of spirit and vision, a time in which our prayers lift us up to new levels of consciousness and commitment.

May each of you be blessed with a new year of blessings for well-being and peace. Shana Tova Tikateivu.

Rabbi Yitzhak