Letter written to Rabbi Julia Margolis. Dear ( soon to be) Rabbi Julia I dont think we have met but I know about you from others and from Bet David and Abraham Geiger Kolleg communictaions and I suspect you have heard my name mentioned in SA Progressive Jewish circles and also as President of the EUPJ - in which capacity I look forward to meeting you when I attend the AGK ordination in Wroclaw on Sept 2 . Background: Wayne Lewis zll who passed away last Friday night after a battle with a rare form of cancer over the past five or so months aged 40, was the husband of my niece Ruth from my first marriage and who Dee and I still relate to very closely as my niece as we are very close to her parents Morris and Myrna Shapiro. Waynes mother is Jewish by Progressive conversion. The Shapiros and Lewiss were typical SA low key orthodox. Even though Ruth and Wayne were affiliated to an orthodox synagogue, I had discussions with Morris some weeks ago when it was clear that Wayne would not make it , that he would be refused burial by the Orthodox. ( as was duly confirmed) . Morris contacted Bet Emanuel and Simon Hochschild has been dealing with the situation with the utmost commitment and efficiency ( Simon is in hospital recovering from an arterial heart situation - I spoke to him yesterday and he is making a good recovery - thanks again Simon and we wish you refuach shelema) When Wayne passed away on Friday night , Morris contacted Simon . The Rabbi at Bet Emanuel was not available for some reason or other and I believe Rabbi Robert Jacobs is out the country. At short notice Rabbi Julia was contacted and she agreed to do the funeral service on Sunday am and also prayers on Sunday night because of Simons incapacity. Rabbi Julia had to cancel at short notice her own commitments This was a large funeral and in my view a major challenge for a yet -to -be ordained Rabbi who at 24 hours notice had to prepare for a tragic situation ( two young boys left behind) without previous background knowledge of the family and the circumstances. I have had several reports that Rabbi Julia handled the situation very capably and with sensitivity and compassion, also including the female members of the family in the ceremony ( as is of course our custom) which was welcomed particularly by Ruth. The attendees at the funeral and prayers would have been 95% Johannesburg orthodox ( or secular or non Jewish). Most would never have seen a woman Rabbi and indeed would regard this as a non starter. This would have quite possibly been the first Progressive funeral service for many- an eye opener in terms of meaningful and compassionate participative ceremony as opposed to the cold, harsh and disinvolved Orthodox funerals with of course women excluded physically and participatory. Thank you Rabbi Julia - firstly on behalf of the family who are most grateful to you. Thank you also for enhancing the image of Progressive Judaism in SA , sadly in tragic family circumstances. You have done yourself and our movement proud and this bodes well for your future rabbinate. And thank you too Simon- a dedicated lay leader who did what Jewish leaders should but dont always do when tragedy appears - provide help. You have both shown that Progressive Judaism under these circumstances is that which we epouse- morality, ethicality and integrity as the foundation of what we do in accordance with our teachings - especially when there is a tragic death. Best wishes Leslie Bergman
Posted on: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 18:40:47 +0000
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