FEATURED JOBS
Comments (1)I realize that it has been awhile since my last post but now that the new year has started, my goal is to post a couple of times a month. Today the health discussion is more on a spiritual level than physical level.
On the 10th of November my mother Sylvia “Mickey” Leventhal Weinberg suffered a massive cerebellar stroke. Three weeks later she was buried to rest alongside my father who died when I was a young man of 18.
My mother was a few months shy of 90 when she died. She was your typical old Jewish lady. She was as parsimonious as they came, but was generous with her time. She volunteered at the Weinberg center where she lived for years before she lived there. She was a member of the Golden Rule Guild and used to volunteer at Spring Grove and Rosewood. When my brother asked her why she was a volunteer at age 88 she gave him an answer that stays with me now and will all my life. She said, “ Because I can, and they can’t and as long as I can, I will.” That was the essence of my mother may she rest in peace.
Since my father died when I was young and our family was not observant, this shiva period was the first I have experienced in the Orthodox community. The outpouring of support was incredible. We had people here to help me make a minyan that I had never met before. The women of our shul made sure that all of our meals during shiva were accounted for. I essentially was not left alone for the whole week of shiva.
Having now finished shaloshim (the first 30 days of mourning), I have had a chance to sit back and reflect on the importance of community during this time. It is trite to say, but there is no good time to die. It follows then that there is no good time to lose a parent. And finally, once you lose both parents, you are an orphan even at age 48 as I am. And you realize that you are an orphan despite being a grown adult with children of your own.
Our community in the Orthodox enclave is very tight knit when it comes to things like the loss of a loved one. I now understand why it is so important that my wife invariably is making food for 15 instead of our typical five a couple of times a month. It was a comforting feeling physically, emotionally, and spiritually when I needed it most. Every community has its ups and downs. Every community has its drawbacks and the Orthodox community of Baltimore is no exception. But when it comes to support in times of need, the Orthodox community has no peer, at least in my myopic view.
This is an open letter expressing my sincerest thanks to all of the people who helped me through one of the most difficult times of my life. To my business partners who covered for me while my mother was ill and after her death, to the hundreds of my patients who sent me condolence cards, to all of the people of all races and religions who stopped by my home during the week of shiva to be “menachem avel,” I thank you from the depths of my heart.
Back to urology next time. Until then, have a happy New Year and a fulfilling week ahead.
