Today
is YOM KIPPUR, the most important day in Jewish Calendar. I thought fondly of
the other times, when and where I had been present to be with my fellow
brethren: Ash family who introduced me to the Liberal Synagogue and Rabbi Levy
in Melbourne; walking to the synagogue with the Fischbein family in Malmo; New
York, Miami and once even in Galveston, Texas and nice feelings at the
synagogue in Kingston, Jamaica.
I
am a wanderer and my desire has always been to help others, so I chose Medicine
as a career and chose the Indigenous people as the group to assimilate into, to
be able to assist.
Last
night I had to give a talk to a group of Educators in the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan about some cultural aspects, as I am an Anthropologist as well, to
assist the American Indians in a respectful fashion. I met so many nice people
and felt so fulfilled in my heart.
I
wanted to hurry back to Miami as the Fast began.
Now
that we have such advanced technology, (proud to say that much of which came
from Israel), I was able to follow Kol Nidre and also the morning service. Neshuva
in Los Angeles and the Central Synagogue in New York City all broadcast their
services and are watched by thousands around the world.
The
closing prayers are rather moving. The sermon by Rabbi Stephanie Kolin was
relevant and thought provoking.
Afterwards,
I checked YouTube and listened to the same songs in the Yemeni tradition and
felt even better since that chanting resonates to my oriental Jewish heart.
Suddenly,
out of somewhere or other, I had a great desire to listen to Leonard Cohen’s
Dance with me to the end of love. I was able to find the following video. While
it is a beautiful love song, Cohen himself was moved to write that after
digesting the horrors of the Holocaust that affected our people and the various
injustices happening around the world, currently and in the past.
I
thought, Leonard Cohen, may he rest in Peace, brings with his unique voice a
sentiment felt by so many of us, whether we are Jewish or not, the one of Love.
Tonight
I will be with my closest friends in Miami, Dr. M and his lovely South African
wife, G. I think of the harmony among them and dedicate this song by one of our
own from Canada, Leonard Cohen, to their longstanding love and understanding of
what it is to love to the end of love!
L SHANAH TOVA TIKKETEVU 5778
especially to the Last Jews of Cochin
to the Last Jews of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Yemen, Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia
to the last jews of Burma
