A Letter To My Holy Twins

On this 12th birthday of our twins, Rina and Simcha, let me share the letter I wrote to them the week they were born, which I shared at Simcha's Brit Milah. It not only gives a little insight into our family. It also, I hope, can serve as inspiration and chizuk to others who have struggled with infertility. May Hashem grant your prayers and bless you with the children you so desire.

A Letter To My Holy Twins – Aaron Levitt – 6/20/07

I hope you’ll all forgive me if I address my remarks this morning to the two newest people in the room, Rina Yocheved and Simcha Elazar. I wrote them a letter last night which I’d like to read to them out loud. It’s called “A Letter To My Holy Twins.”

My shayna kinderlach, my Rina Yocheved and my Simcha Elazar, right now you have no idea just how much joy you have brought to so many people. But I hope one day you will find this letter and read it again and then you will know what it is that all of us here are feeling today.

My beautiful children, right now all that matters to you is sleeping, and eating, being changed and being held. And thank God there are so many loving people who are so eager to take care of you both. But I don’t think you have any idea just how lucky you are. So listen carefully, children. Let me tell you a little bit about some of the people in your lives so that you’ll see just how fortunate you both are:


I. The People That Made This Day Possible

Let me start by telling you about some of the people that made this day possible. Because by all accounts we have no business standing here today, holding you in our arms. After three pregnancy losses we were told by the doctors that there was nothing else we could try. But my children, when you want something bad enough you never give up. There’s always a way. It may not be the path you had imagined but it can still lead you to where you want to go. These are some of the people who helped us along that path.

Six years ago this summer, our family suffered our 1st loss, followed by another 9 months later. It was devastating in so many ways. But there were people who believed in us, who were willing to help us think outside the box. There were Rabbis and Doctors and Lawyers who helped us along the path that led us here today.

My Rebbe, Rabbi Mordechai Willig, put us in touch with Machon Puah, the Institute in Jerusalem that is on the cutting edge of infertility and halacha, that helps thousands of couples like us pursue their dreams of building a family. We spoke with Rav Gideon Weitzman, who consulted with the head of Machon Puah, Rav Menachem Burstein. Together with Rav Willig they came back to us with a psak that we could use a surrogate, as long as we could find a single Jewish female. We went to see a talmid of Rav Willig’s, Rabbi Dr. Zalman Levine, who is a fertility doctor in New Jersey. He helped us search for a surrogate through his directories and by posting messages on our behalf on Teaneck shuls. Although the search did not lead to a match, it transformed the idea of surrogacy for us from theory to reality. Now we knew that it could really happen.

Four years ago we decided to move to Boca, and at that time Rav Willig told us if you’re moving to Boca then Rabbi Kenneth Brander will be your posek. Rabbi Brander, who trained with Machon Puah for a year, was an extremely important part of this process moving forward. He would often say to me “Aaron, who knows, maybe the whole reason you guys came down to Boca was so that you could find your surrogate.” Rabbi Brander supported us throughout this process and even put us in touch with S’Gulah, a local fund started by members of our shul that helps couples in the community undergoing infertility challenges. After Rabbi Brander and his family moved up to New Jersey he still stayed involved, interested in helping in any way he could. And Rabbi Efrem Goldberg got involved as well, helping us navigate this groundbreaking halachic process.

There were other Rabbis who played important roles as well. Rabbi Benjamin Yudin of Fair Lawn, NJ was there for us after each of our losses, crying along with us, helping us with the burial, and always encouraging us not to give up hope. Rabbi Yamin Levy, who literally wrote the book on Pregnancy Loss from a Jewish perspective, inspired us to reach out to other couples experiencing fertility challenges as well, and kept on believing in us no matter what. And Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovici, of our Kollel here in Boca, would constantly ask how we were doing and offer to talk out ideas or be a listening ear.

Despite the widespread support on the Rabbinic and Halachic fronts, we still needed to find a woman who would agree to carry our child. We had literally searched for over four years, all over the world, and had no luck, until last Pesach when our lawyer, Charlotte Danciu, who is here to celebrate with us today, called us up and told us that she had a Passover present for us. This was almost exactly a year after our third and most recent pregnancy loss, one which was especially painful due to the high-risk medical procedures that it involved. She knew an amazing woman named Linda who was single and Jewish, and was willing to be a surrogate for us. Can you imagine? What kind of a holy person must she be to help us make our dreams come true? We met Linda and her wonderful family, who are here with us today as well, and they were also so supportive and loving. They are truly amazing people.

We went to Drs. Moshe Peres and Michael Matilsky at Boca Fertility. They guided us all through every step of the process and even allowed us to come into the lab and actually participate in making this miracle happen. How many parents can say that they knew their children on the cellular level?

We waited a few weeks to find out if Linda was pregnant with our child. It was Parshat Noach, which many suggest is a symbol for pregnancy and the womb, when we got the call that indeed our prayers had been answered. You were no longer just a dream, but were becoming a reality. And just a few weeks later, during the week of Parshat Toldot, the parsha in which Rivka gives birth to twins, we got the call that we too were blessed not just with one miracle, but with twins. We were at the same time humbled, excited and nervous, but most of all we were immensely grateful to Linda and to God. Throughout the pregnancy, Linda was amazing, never complaining, always with a smile. She took great care of you guys, and we are all very fortunate to have found her. It made perfect sense when we realized that you were born on 6-13 since this whole process was so clearly Yad Hashem, the hand of God. But what really blew me away was when I realized that Rina was born at 2:16pm and Simcha at 2:18pm. Because when you add those two numbers together you get 434 which in Gematria = Teled (She will give birth). We feel very strongly that finding Linda was bashert, and that this whole process was a clear manifestation of Yad Hashem, of God’s hand in our lives.

Anyway, these are some of the people that I want you to know about, my children, because without their love and support we would not be here celebrating today.


II. Some of The Other Special People In Your Lives

And now let me tell you about some of the other special people in your lives so that you will really start to realize just how lucky you are. You are part of an amazing community. Our friends, both here in Boca as well as those from London, Gruss, and Washington Heights, have been there with us through thick and thin. Their support has been never-ending and their encouragement has been unwavering. They have prayed for you guys for so long, and they are so thrilled that you are finally here. Many of these friends are here with us today, while others are not here in person but are with us nonetheless. You are very lucky to be part of such a caring group of friends.

You’re even more fortunate to have such an amazing family, whom you are just starting to get to know. Your grandparents and great-grandparents are the most loving, caring, giving, supporting people in the world. They will do anything for you. And they love you more than anything else in the whole world. Seeing them hold you makes it clear how badly they wanted you to come and how happy they are that you are here. As you grow older you will learn that your uncles and aunts are so much fun and that they love you as if you are their own. And just wait until you meet all your cousins who cannot wait to get their hands all over you. I know it won’t be long before all you cousins are busy getting into mischief together. You are very blessed to come from such a loving and supportive family.

There is one special person who loves you more than anyone, and she has been waiting for you for a long, long time. We would sometimes ask your big sister Shira “if you could daven for just one thing from Hashem what would it be?” And every single time she would give the same answer: “a brother and a sister.” Well, Shira got her wish and learned a powerful lesson about Tefilla along the way: you may not get what you want right away but you should never stop davening. Shira is going to teach you guys everything she knows. She will show you how to be so creative and artistic. She will teach you songs and mitzvot. She has a big heart and you are very lucky to have her as your big sister.

But most of all you are blessed to have a mother who is the most giving person that I know. Ima is going to take the best care of you. And you should know that she will always believe in you. Throughout this whole process Ima always had such strong Emunah, such strong faith that this day would come. And when Ima believes in something it eventually comes true. If I tried my hardest I could not imagine a better wife or mother than your Ima. We are all extremely blessed to have her in our lives.


III. How Lucky We Feel

These are the people in your lives that you need to know about in order to appreciate just how lucky you are. But before I finish, I want to tell you how lucky your Ima and I feel right now. Because you see, sometimes you don’t appreciate or understand things until much later down the line. In the middle of the chapter it may be hard to grasp how that sudden plot twist will affect the rest of the story. It is only after you complete the chapter that things start to get a little clearer.

Hashem has blessed our family now with six children. Three of them were such pure holy neshamot that He decided to keep them with Him in shamayim. And we fully believe that we will meet those children again in the World to Come. As we celebrate this special occasion today those 3 neshamot are very much on our minds and in our hearts where they will always remain.

But now, in addition to our very special Shira, of whom we are so proud and for whom we thank Hashem each and every day, we now have the two of you as well. And I have to tell you, after everything we have been through, this simcha is so much deeper, so much sweeter, than anything we could have ever imagined. And your Ima and Abba are so much closer than we ever could have been.

At the last funeral, two years ago, I chose two mizmorim of tehillim, chapters of psalms, to recite which I found particularly meaningful. We read the “Shir HaMaalot” that is recited before Birkat Hamazon (126), and we recited “Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit L’David (30).” And the reason was very simple. It was because we felt the need to affirm our belief that in the end this day would still come. That was also why we named that girl Emunah, Faith, because we felt a strong need to reaffirm our Emunah and strengthen our resolve.

“Shir HaMaalot” contains one of the most beautiful expressions in Tanach. It says “Ha’Zor’im B’Dim’ah B’Rina Yiktzoru – Those who plant with tears will sow with joyous song.” This expression means so much to your Abba and Ima because it says to us that even when it looks like all your hopes and dreams are being buried in the ground, in truth you are just planting the seeds for the ultimate joy down the line. The word Rina actually appears 3x in the mizmor. We resolved right then that we when the time would come that Hashem would bless us with a girl we would call her Rina.

“Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit L’David” also contains a very powerful and uplifting idea. It says “Hafachta Mispidi L’Machol Li Pitachta Saki V’Tiazreini Simcha – You have transformed for me my eulogy into dancing / you have opened my sack and granted me happiness.” Once again, this mizmor said to us that things can turn around. Hesped, eulogy, can be transformed into Simcha, into happiness.

My holy twins, Rina and Simcha, your names were not just chosen because they sound nice. Your names represent your essence, what you’re all about. It is the bracha of your Abba and Ima that you should live lives of Rina and Simcha, of joy and happiness, that you should continue to spread that joy and happiness to others around you, and that you should always remember that even when things are not going as you hope, it is never too late, it can still turn around.

We also gave you middle names that reflect our profound sense of HaKarat Hatov, of gratitude to God for making this whole process possible. “Yocheved,” for Elisheva’s grandmother and great-grandmother, refers to the honor of God, and “Elazar”, who also happened to be the son of Aaron and Elisheva in the Torah, means that God helped. It was fascinating to me that when I went back and looked at the paragraph of “Mizmor Shir” it contains all four names, as well as that of Shira.

My special children, let me conclude by saying thanks. Not just thanks to the shul for hosting, to Eli Amsalem for catering, to Dr. Goldman for flying down to be the mohel, and to the friends and family who flew down from all over in order to be with us on this special occasion. Not just thanks to all the people who helped us get to this point, from family, to friends, to Rabbis, to doctors, and to lawyers. Not just a profound thanks to Linda and her family for truly earning the title of Eishet Chayil, a woman of valor, by making this dream come true for us. And not just thanks to my wife Elisheva for bringing me two more children and for being my partner and best friend in everything that I do.

Let me conclude by saying thanks to Hashem. Because you see, this entire story, in my opinion, is nothing less than a Neis, a miracle. What we are celebrating right now at this seudat hodaah is the miracle of life, which in this case is easier to see, but which should never ever be taken for granted.

Me’et Hashem Hayta Zot Hi Niflat B’Einenu – This all comes from God and it is amazing in our eyes

Zeh HaYom Asah Hashem Nagilah V’Nismicha Vo – This is the day that Hashem made. Let us rejoice and celebrate it.

Words cannot express our gratitude to God for this amazing miracle, so let me finish by quoting from the siddur (Nishmat Kol Chai):

Ilu Finu Maleh Shira Kaaym U’lshoneinu Rina K’Hamon Galav…

Ein Anachnu Maspikim Lehodot Lecha Hashem Elokeinu V’Elokei Avoteinu U’Levarech Et Shemecha Al Achat M’Aleph Eleph Alphei Alaphim V’Ribei Rivivot Peamim HaTovot Sha’Asitah Im Avoteinu V’Imanu.

Were our mouth as full of song as the sea, and our tongue as full of joyous song as its multitude of waves…we still could not thank You sufficiently, Hashem our God and God of our forefathers, and to bless Your name for even one of the thousand thousand, thousands of thousands and myriad myriads of favors that you performed for our ancestors and for us.

Thank You

Happy DiaBirthday

Three years ago this Shabbat, in 2016, we rushed our daughter Rina to the hospital and discovered that she has Diabetes. It was also a 3 day Yom Tov that year with Shabbat leading into Shavuot. That, of course, was a very scary time. Every year around Shavuot we think of this. We also think of the 1st flood we endured in Houston in 2015 which occurred Motzaei Shavuot. Life is certainly not always easy, but I am always amazed at the strength Hashem grants us when we need it the most.

I want to just share a brief reflection on how far we have come since what is called in the Diabetes community, Rina's DiaBirthday (she actually had her real 9th birthday in the hospital that year as well). Diabetes in some ways takes over your life. It has certainly gotten more routine over time, as we all learn to live with this new reality. Rina now wears a sensor and insulin pump which helps a lot. And she can even change it herself. But for many months we had to wake her up every few hours at night to prick her finger and check her blood sugar. We all adjusted to lack of sleep. Rina has learned how to monitor her sugar and make sure she never lets her blood sugar level get too high or too low. She has to give herself insulin 15 minutes before she eats carbs and cannot eat if she is too high. She still has to inject or prick herself sometimes, but she does so like a pro. We ask Rina her number every night before bed and every time she wants to eat. And if she wants to go to a friend's house or a school trip we have to put in place plans for her safety. We live with this disease 24 hours a day but have learned how to not let it stop Rina from doing everything she wants to do.

This past Sunday we participated, as a family, in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation walk in Washington DC to raise money for Diabetes research. It was truly inspiring to walk with thousands of other people who also have adjusted to a new reality in their lives. Sometimes it can feel like you are the only one and no one else can relate but this reminded us how many other families there are out there like us. We raised over $1000 for research ourselves, and are inspired to keep doing what we can to help find a cure for this disease. 

If you would like to donate you can do so on this link: 

https://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?fr_id=7617&pg=personal&px=12269760

My wife Elisheva started a facebook page a few years ago called Jewish Parents Of Kids With Diabetes which serves as a forum for parents to share advice and offer chizuk one to another. It now has over 80 members and grows weekly.

Next Shabbat we celebrate Rina's Bat Mitzvah and will do so with all the Hakarat HaTov any parent would feel towards Hashem. But we will also feel extra pride in having a daughter who is so strong and positive. And we will thank Hashem for all the blessings He has given us as well as the strength He gives us to get through life's challenges.

Seder Discussion Themes

Seder Discussion Themes - Rabbi Aaron Levitt

Kadesh

Where and when do we experience holiness in our lives?

What do we do to create or capture moments of inspiration in our lives?

Urchatz

What types of situations do we prepare for in our lives and not just wing it?

Karpas

How does “dipping” into past bitterness help make the present taste sweeter?

Yachatz

What feels broken or incomplete in our lives?

Where do we feel disconnected?

What machloket or brogez do we hold onto in our lives?

Maggid

If you could tell someone the story of overcoming something in your life what would it be?

What messages do we put out there every day without even realizing it?

Ha Lachma Anya

Do we mind our own business or think of others who are lonely or need help?

What hardships did our ancestors experience for us to be here today?

What does Freedom mean to us?

Ma Nishtana

What Big Questions do we have in our lives?

Avadim HaYinu

What is the benefit of remembering tough times?

Think back to a tough time in your life and consider how things could have played out differently

5 Rabbis in Bnei Brak

Have you ever gotten so involved in something that you lost track of time?

R’ Elazar Ben Azaryah

Have you ever felt older or wiser than your years?

Baruch HaMakom

What are you thankful to God for?

The 4 Sons

How are your children, your siblings, your students different from one another?

Have you ever experienced personalized customer service? Or the opposite?

How do we ensure that every child feels welcome at the table?

Are the 4 sons different people or is there a little of each of them in us?

Yachol MeRosh Chodesh

Timing is everything - Have you ever experienced that in your life?

Mitchila Ovdei Avodah Zarah

What can we learn from the mistakes of the past?

Baruch Shomer Havtachato

Do we trust Hashem to look out for us?

Are we patient and faithful even if it takes a long time?

Do we keep our word to others?

V’Hi She’Amda

Have we ever personally experienced Antisemitism?
What has gotten us through tough times as a People? A Family? Individuals?

How do we develop Resiliency?

Tzeh U’Lemad

Has Assimilation affected our families?

How do we ensure that we do not lose our Jewish identity?

Makkot

Have we ever doubted whether there is justice only to see it some time later?

What should we feel and think when we witness the downfall of our enemies?

Dayenu

Do we ever feel satisfied or are we always hungry for more

Is there anything in our lives we feel we do not really deserve?

Pesach, Matzah, Marror

Do we ever do things on autopilot without stopping to think why we do them?

Bechol Dor VaDor

As adults do we forget to tap into our imagination?

What is the power of imagination?

Why is it important to feel a personal connection to our Judaism?

Rachtza

What would we want to wash away or clean up about ourselves?

Motzi Matzah

In what ways do we feel rich and in what ways do we feel poor?

What artifact would we choose if wanted to commemorate a pivotal moment in our lives?

Marror

What hardships have we endured that still leave their mark?

Does thinking about the hard times we have experienced make us feel weak or strong?

Korech

How do we integrate the opposite aspects of our personalities?

Shulchan Orech

Why are certain foods so meaningful? What memories or feelings do they conjure?

What stories and traditions are important to our family?

Tzafun

What is something about us that we keep hidden and do not share?

What holds us back from being more vulnerable and open?

What potential do we have inside us that has not yet come out?

Barech

What blessings do we have in our lives?

What brachot would we like to wish upon others?

Eliyahu HaNavi

What does Eliyahu HaNavi represent for us?

Is it ok to wish vengeance against those who have wronged us?

Hallel

What are we thankful for in our lives?

If we were given a lifetime achievement award who would we thank in our speech?

Why don’t we actually call those people up to tell them what they have meant to us?

Nirtzah

What are our hopes and dreams for the future?

Is Aliyah in our plans? If not, how do we feel the connection to Eretz Yisrael?

Echad Mi Yodeah and Chad Gadya

Do we ever zoom out and notice the patterns in our lives?

What lessons have we learned that we wish to take with us from this Seder?

Freeways and Freedom

Last night we arrived in Silver Spring, a suburb of our Nation's capital, and our new home. Our road trip lasted 8 days, took us through 8 states, and totaled more than 1500 miles.

Along the way we did a couple of fun Urban Adventure Quests (in Memphis and Nashville), toured Graceland and the Country Music Hall of Fame, earned 3 Junior Ranger badges (Hot Springs National Park, Little Rock Central High, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park), and spent a wonderful Shabbat full of Southern hospitality in Nashville. Oh, and we had a tire blow out along the way as well. That was fun.

By the end we were wearing down and as it turns out I came down with strep, so we pushed ahead and arrived a couple of days earlier than planned in order to celebrate Independance Day with family.

Enjoying a family BBQ and watching the fireworks in Washington on TV I just feel thankful to be here. Thankful to not be driving today. Thankful to be on antibiotics. But more importantly thankful to be with family. And thankful to live in this great country. With all its flaws (many of which are right here in DC) America is an amazing place with amazing people (including the very kind mechanic in Arkansas who sincerely offered to call his wife if we needed help to get to a hotel). Democracy and freedom should never be taken for granted. The fact that we can just get in our car and drive from state to state. The fact that we can all vote for the candidates and issues we believe in. The fact that we all have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These are freedoms we should appreciate. We may have many different political views. But we should always feel like one nation with a common foundation.

Driving through the South reminded me again how big and how beautiful America is (special shout out to the Shenendoah Valley in Virginia). If you have not taken a road trip recently go do it. And try to fit a National Park in to your journey. You do not have to fly around the globe to see beautiful places. There is so much to see here at home.

But it is not just the physical beauty. It is also the beauty of our core values. There is no Blue America and Red America. It is everyone's America. And we have to learn to live with one another in harmony. As the song states:

This land is your land
This land is my land
From the California
To the New York island
From the Redwood forest
To the Gulfstream waters
This land was made for you and me

Hi Yo Silver (Spring)!

Tonight is our last night in Houston after living here for the last 6 years. I sit here in an empty apartment after a long day of movers taking everything I own and loading it onto a truck that we will hopefully see again in Silver Spring, MD in a couple of weeks. And yet, everything that really matters is right here with me, with my amazing wife and kids by my side. Tomorrow we begin a road trip that will take us through Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. We are looking forward to seeing some great things along the way. And we are even more looking forward to living near family after 15 years of living in the South. But before we turn the ignition and start on the next part of our life journey I'd like to take a moment to reflect back on these past 6 years and what they have meant for me.

It has not always been easy being a Principal of an entire school. But what an honor and joy it has been! The kids here in Houston are amazing. And I have so enjoyed getting to watch them grow and develop. On a typical day at work I would be visiting with 4 year olds one moment and talking with seniors the next. I would teach a lower school Mishna class and then daven with the Middle School. I would be doing conflict resolution between two students and then a few minutes later be working on a Chesed program. And over 6 years I got to know so many kids and watch them grow up before my eyes.

There were hard days, of course. Days when it seemed that no matter how hard I worked there was never time to appreciate the progress because it was immediately on to the next task. Days when I would be unable to sleep at night thinking about all the people who needed my help. Days when it felt like my office was a revolving door of unsatisfied people expecting me to solve all their problems. But there were many more good days. Days when I knew that even though there was always more work to be done (Lo Alecha HaMelacha Ligmor) it was ok because the joy was in the process, in the work, in the trial and error. I grew a lot here as well and any time you are in an environment where you are both growing and helping others grow at the same time you know you are in the right place.

Living through 4 floods in 3 years was really hard. We all helped each other through it and it is something we will never forget. But I would be lying if I said I don't get nervous still anytime heavy rain is in the forecast. Life has challenges wherever you go, and we have definitely had our fair share over the years, but every time I realize that we are about to move close to family it gives me such chizuk and excitement.

I started this blog 6 years ago on the eve of our move to Texas. I called it the Rodeo Rabbi and, though I have not written as often as I would have liked, I think I have been able to capture at least some of the highlights of our time as Texans. I am not changing the name of the blog, even though we are moving to Silver Spring. If anything, it reminds me of my dad's love of The Lone Ranger who used to say "Hi Yo Silver!" before riding off into the sunset. Well, every sunset is just a sunrise somewhere else. So while the time has come for the sun to set on our time in Houston we will take a moment to look back at the beautiful view behind us and then head off to our next adventure full of excitement and joy for we have a lot to look forward to.

My Grandparents' 1st Yartzeit

This week marks one year since both of my father's dear parents passed away within 5 days of each other in January 2017. As you can imagine, burying two grandparents in one week, and seeing my father sit shiva for both of his parents at once, was not easy. My grandparents lived long lives and had much to be proud of. Looking back now, a year later, their absence is still painful, but I am filled with wonderful memories and am shaped by the core values they passed down to us. How lucky I was to have two such grandparents and that my own children knew them as well. On this 1st yartzeit here is a summary of some of the reflections I shared about them at their funerals:

Grandpa (Yisrael Ben Haskel Mendel HaLevi) - 25th Tevet

"Mi Ha'Ish Hachefetz Chaim Ohev Yamin Lirot Tov - Who is the man who values his life? The one who loves his days to see the good."

What a life you led, Grandpa. Immigrating from Russia to America, working your way through pharmacy school, marrying the love of your life, fighting in World War Two, owning your own pharmacy on the Lower East Side, and raising your two boys to be committed Jews. It is hard to believe that you are gone, though we were so blessed to have had you for 103 years. 

I learned so much from you. You always taught me to give 110% to whatever I did. You would say, "whatever you decide to study in school and to do for a career, do it to the best of your ability." You showed us what work ethic meant and built Levitt Pharmacy with years of dedication and hard work. You believed deeply in education and were always so proud to hear of our progress. You even used to emphasize to me how important it was to sit up straight with good posture.

You also taught us to be proud Jews, standing up for Israel (your Hebrew name) and for Jews in need.  And of course, you are the reason we are a family of proud Leviim. You and Grandma supported the Chafetz Chaim yeshiva in so many ways. You gave your sons a Jewish education. When I would visit you in NY and we would go to shul together you would always tell me how much it bothered you that people around you in shul were talking. I also remember the army stories you would tell us about having to stand up against an antisemitic officer. You would read the Jewish Press each week and follow Israeli news closely.

I loved hearing your many stories, especially when they would crack you up. I can still hear your laugh. But every lesson had not only a punch line but a lesson as well, usually about doing the right thing.

You loved Grandma more than anything else and saw your self as her protector and provider. And you had such pride in your sons and grandchildren. I hope we will continue to make your proud as well. You used to walk with a bit of a side to side waddle, something I seem to have been the only Levitt to inherit, but when I think of you I think of someone who always carried himself with dignity. I hope I will follow in those footsteps as well.

Every Friday you would take pleasure in giving each of us Brachot over the phone. I can still hear the sing song way you would recite the Yevarechecha. This taught us how much we were loved and how much we should love each other. But the truth is that just having you as our Grandpa was the biggest bracha of all.

Grandma (Minna Bat Sarah) - Rosh Chodesh Shvat

"Minhah (Minna) Meitzar Karati Kah Anani B'merchav Kah - From the narrow place I called out to God who answered me with the Divine Expanse." (Psalm 118:5)

How do we say goodbye to both you and Grandpa in the same week?

You and Grandpa were married for 75 years! He was your protector and you were his Eishet Chayil. You would share one glass of seltzer together. And you would walk arm in arm. And yet, when Grandpa said something you disagreed with you would say with a smile "Irving, don't talk." Oh, can I see that smile of yours and hear that laugh. You loved to laugh and your joy was contagious.

You always cared about others. You were a tireless volunteer for so many organizations. Together with your mother you did so much for the Chofetz Chaim yeshiva (whose sisterhood is named after your mother Sarah Gordon to this day). You also would look after individuals from shul or down the block to make sure they were ok. You would go to many shiurim and had much respect for Rabbis. And wherever you would go you would make new friends. 

But you cared even more about Family. Your parents lived in the apartment above you and you would take care of them. I have many fond memories of driving over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house for Thanksgiving, where all the extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins would gather in your home to celebrate together. Your home was always the place that brought people together. Shalom Bayit was so important to you. I remember you telling us the story of your father Abe (for whom I am named) who gave up his stake in the family business rather than allow it to create a rift in the family. You loved all of us grandchildren and our spouses, and had such joy in all of your grandchildren and great grandchildren (all of us equally and in our own unique way). I am so glad my kids knew you - what a bracha to know your great grandparents.

The way my father and mother showed you Kibbud Av V'em is a model for me to follow. Abba would call you every day and say "Hello Mama Shayna!" And Ima would always look out for you and check in on you.

I always felt close to you Grandma. You would let me be a kid in your house (banging pots, spinning the coffee table...). You would sing, laugh, tell stories. And you were the most amazing cook (Kreplach, Sweet Potato Pie, Cole Slaw...). I used to love walking to shul arm in arm with you on Yom Tov when you would visit. Even last Thursday when you clearly weren't well you gave me a smile and a wink when you came out and saw me sitting at the kitchen table.

"Sheker Hachein V'hevel Hayofi Isha Yirat Hashem Hi Takum." Grandma, you had Yofi and Chen, but you were also a Yirat Hashem. You would bless the shabos food before eating it with the words "Lechavod Shabbes Kodesh," and, although Grandpa usually gets the attention for giving brachot the truth is that you gave the most beautiful heartfelt brachot as well. Any Goodness, Joy and Humor, Emunah that we have comes from you. We will do our best to live our lives and to raise our children to be like you.

Every Havdalah, Grandma, you would close your eyes, say goodbye to shabbos, and bless the coming week with the Gut Fun Avraham...

Grandma, I don't know how to say goodbye to you. All I can say is: 

"Az D'Liba Heiligeh BUBBY Kodesh Geit Avec" - we will do our best to honor you by living lives of "Tzum Maasim Tovim Und Tzum Allen Gutten Amen"

Take My Breath Away

This past summer I had an experience that literally took my breath away. After spending the morning hiking through Rocky Mountain National Park, my family and I drove the twisty road to the Alpine Visitor Center at the top of the park. At 11,796 feet this peak offers stunning views in all directions. At the very top there is a nice lodge with a cafe and gift shop, and everyone in the family wanted to just sit and have a drink while adjusting to the altitude and recovering from the nauseating twists of the road. But as we were leaving the car I saw a hill with a path that looked like it must have a panoramic vista. Unable to convince anyone else to join me I ventured up by myself. There must have been about 300 stairs and about halfway up I was literally out of breath and laboring to keep going. I had to stop a few times in order to catch my breath, but eventually I made it and felt like I was on top of the world. The view was incredible and after a few minutes my breathing slowed down a bit. By the time I made it back down to the lodge I felt much better but it was at least another half hour of sitting and drinking until I felt better.

I’ve been thinking about this idea recently, of having your breath taken away. I’ve thought about it in the weeks after Hurricane Harvey, when we in Houston have been trying to get back into a routine and move forward but often feel like we are short of breath due to the enormity of the trauma. I’ve thought about it as I watch footage from the Florida Keys, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Las Vegas and am in awe not only of the tragedy but also of the human spirit. And I’ve thought about it over the Yamim Noraim, listening to the Shofar blast which is a prayer with no words, a breathtaking cry.

In Tehillim King David says “Mi Yaaleh Behar Hashem U’Mi Yakum Bimkom Kodsho - Who will go up the mountain of Hashem and who remain standing in His holy place?” I once heard this explained to mean that it is one thing to make the initial climb up the mountain, an achievement in and of itself. But the bigger question is whether the growth, the new perspective, will endure or just be a moment in time, breathtaking though it may be. We live in the Facebook generation where as long as I capture a moment and post it I feel like it is permanent. But the truth is that each day brings new trending topics and it is easy to move on and forget. We might get a yearly reminder in our Facebook memories, but otherwise it’s just a matter of how many likes we can get for the 12 hours or so after we post. Similarly, may people feel inspired on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, but then we fall right back into the same patterns and behaviors again. The real sign of a meaningful Yamim Noraim is how we look and act in the days and weeks that follow.

So that’s the lesson on my mind as we enter the holiday of Sukkot. When something inspires you, when it takes your breath away, sometimes it means you worked hard for it, and other times it comes suddenly and unexpectedly. But in order for that feeling to last we have to keep the moment of inspiration in our minds. Rabbi Akiva Tatz talks about this in his book Living Inspired. The bolt of lightning lasts just a moment. And then we are left in the dark trying to make our way. The only way to actualize the inspiration is to close our eyes and remember the clarity we felt during the flash of light. And it’s true in life. The only way to take that breathtaking moment and to use it to create lasting growth, is to constantly refer back to it for inspiration and purpose.

May our Yamim Noraim resolutions have a lasting impact. May our desire to help others, inspired by so many recent events, become a regular part of our lives and not just during times of tragedy. And may the mountains we climb inspire us to keep climbing higher and higher. It may at times feel hard to catch our breath, but the climb is worth every step.