Rebbe Yochanan himself would stand before Aramean elders.and marvel: “How many experiences- hardships and miracles- have occurred to these individuals!”
Talmud, Kiddushin 33
We gain strength by heeding the wisdom of our elders throughout our lives and especially from those who themselves have faced and overcome challenges throughout theirs.
I recently had the privilege to speak on the phone with long time beloved Beth Tikvah members Alice and Elliott Rosenberg. Alice and Elliott, both in the mid-nineties, have experienced both miracles and hardships in their years. As Alice told me, “We survived the Great Depression and World War II. This situation is of course different, but we are all strong.” Elliott, who served as a pilot running bombing missions over Germany during World War II agreed adding, “It will be tough. It might take a while to recover, but we will get there. We will all make it through this.”
Their remarkable courage, optimism and even calm is inspiring. Alice and Elliott are models of resilience and strength who live each day with gratitude, humor and kindness. Even in the midst of this time, they strive to live each day fully. Proudly both have served as temple president, and experienced the resilience and strength of our BTC community through some challenging times.
At Beth Tikvah Congregation, we are fortunate to have many members that have an abundant amount of wisdom from their long blessed lives. Let us continue to reach out and connect with our treasured BTC elders and marvel at their stories, heed their wisdom and learn from their experiences.
May God bless you and keep you. May you be blessed with a week of peace. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Taron Tachman rabbi@beth-tikvah.org
