Every so often a person passes away, and we feel awful for that person. We hope that she didn’t suffer. And we look at her age, and if that age is say 80 or above, then we add the line, “well, she lived a good life.”
I think Esther Rosenblatt died at the age of 92 because God needed help with something.
Mrs. Rosenblatt, the wife of the late Rabbi Morris Rosenblatt, spiritual leader of Kneseth Israel in Annapolis, was just the person to listen and to help out.
She was the neshama of the Annapolis Jewish Community. Her kitchen phone was like a hotline. And not all of that help was always desperate in nature. Sometimes, she offered just an ear and some direction.
It was in June of 2005 that Mrs. Rosenblatt was honored for 60 years of service to her shul and to Annapolis. That day also served to honor the 20th anniversary of the death of her beloved Morris, who was struck and killed by a vehicle as he crossed the street on June 29, 1985.
So many have stories of how Mrs. Rosenblatt, with her own pain to process, took people by the hand and heart and helped them survive their own personal storms.
I remember writing about the Passover slippers made out of paper for her by a local child and the little bear given to her by a Christian neighbor’s child so the rebbetzin wouldn’t be lonely.
There are people who have served God on this earth by keeping an eye on others and offering time, precious time to help them.
You know them when you run into them. If you are fortunate, you understand what it is they are all doing here.
I remember a man during my years as editor in Detroit named David Hermelin. He was a philanthropist and went on to become an ambassador to Norway. But he was so, so much more. I’d see him at the coffee house, the deli, almost anywhere sitting there listening and being there for other people. He died at 63. And I remember thinking then what I’m thinking now about Mrs. Rosenblatt, that David left us, because there was an even greater mission or simply that God, himself, needed someone who would really listen.
Mrs. Rosenblatt, the mom of my friend and mentor Gary Rosenblatt, was one of those people who knew about people and who knew how to serve others in the service of God.
People like Esther Rosenblatt don’t come along too often in this world.
Somebody I’m sure is going to call her phone out of habit.
Or out of need.
May her memory provide the answers we’ll always need.
She was and will always be a blessing.

Beautiful entry in your blog this week, Phil.  We here in Annapolis miss Esther so very much.  She always gave wise advice with love and compassion.  She loved our members and the synagogue at Congregation Kneseth Israel.  Her wisdom, wit, love of yiddishkeit, and devotion to our synagogue and community inspired so many people for almost 65 years.  She will never be forgotten.