|
Rabbi Dovid S. Polter, Community Chaplain
Lest We Forget
This title touches me more now after the recent passing of a Jewish senior who resided in a remote city in Michigan.
The story takes us back ten years ago when my ten-year-old son spotted a book in our shul library entitled, “Lest We Forget” and asked what the word “Lest” meant. Thinking this is an isolated question, I shared with him the meaning.
Days after, I received an email from a co-worker informing me of a recently discovered Jewish senior who was then living in Jenison, Mich. The details about her revealed that she was from Holland and identified as a Holocaust survivor. Ironically, I came to discover that she too wrote (another) book with the very same title, “Lest We Forget.”
I maintained a phone and mail relationship with Mandy. I arranged for visits and holiday meals to be delivered to her through Chabad of Grand Rapids thanks to their young family member and volunteer, Rivkah Weingarten.
I share this story in memory of the author, Mandy Sarphatie and to help us bolster our belief of the constant Divine Hand in all our steps of life. What are the statistical chances of encountering within days two different books, two different authors, describing the same event and sharing the same title?
“Lest we forget.” We cannot afford to forget anyone, even a lone Jewish senior in the remote city of Janison, Mich.
May Mandy rest in peace and may she be remembered in a positive light.
Shabbat Shalom by Phone - Enjoy some inspiration.
Dial Toll free: 605-313-4107 Access code: 270368#
(Reference number not needed)
Dial # to hear the most recently recorded message.
Rabbi Dovid S. Polter Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program Jewish Senior Life 248-592-5039 • dpolter@jslmi.org
| 
