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Letter from the Letter fromEditor the Editor Miriam Liebermann | Miriam Liebermann Rosh Hashanah, 5768 September ‘07 My Dear Friends, I’ve so much to share with you, where shall I begin? It’s now 7:00 a.m. Did I ever share with you that I’m very much a morning person? Well I’ll do it now! I’m definitely a morning person. For as long as I can remember I’ve started my day much earlier than others. I’ve even tried to switch my inner clock. There are times when I go to sleep much later, but I always arise early. Truth is, I love the morning hours. The world is peaceful, tranquil, beautiful. My house is quiet. I find these to be the most productive hours of the day. Let me share with you this particular morning. I arose at about 5:00. With a cup of coffee, I started my reading, perusing various journals searching for items to share with you for this issue. I found such incredible material, that I literally feel like I’m floating. I feel so elevated, so blessed. Shall I tell you why I love the morning? Forgive me, I’m basically just writing away, sharing with you my thoughts as they arise. No particular order. I’m strongly aware that every morning is a new Shaarei Tikvah beginning. Truth is, yesterday was not such a great day for me. I was feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities and obligations, and was not coping well. It’s absolutely amazing that I can go to sleep, Issue / 53 wake up 7 hours later and find myself a new person, greeting the new day with enthusiasm, joy, and much joie de vivre! Now isn’t Fall 2007 1 that a miracle!!! What a blessing that each day we have a chance to heartbroken over this. I love every tree, every blade of grass. Last start anew! And as if each day isn’t enough of a beginning, we have summer, when I’d walk out of my cottage, down the hill, I’d see Put on your rose colored glasses and do your utmost another major opportunity each month! We say the blessing for the blue wall of a new house, but till then was a ravaged half acre the new month anticipating a new beginning, new opportunities, of land, pitted and scarred. It was terribly upsetting. I returned this to view the situation from a different angle. new ‘Mazal’. And what about Rosh Hashanah coming up- the summer to discover that this area turned into a field of wildflowers! Try and anticipate all possible positive outcomes. most substantial beginning of them all! It’s truly a beautiful tract of land now! Last summer, those flowers were laying in wait, just waiting to make their appearance. Rabbi Boruch Leff in the Yated, ‘Toward a Meaningful Shabbas’, What I had seen as a ravaged parcel of land, was really a work in discussing the traditional Shabbas nap, and the value of a night’s of art in progress. I just had to put on my rose colored glasses sleep, presents the relevant verse from Tehillim (30:6), “In the and patiently wait it out. evening one lies down weeping, but in the morning – joy!” We must experience for ourselves the reality of that concept, and be Now for an even more powerful example which I read this aware of the miracle involved, in order to appreciate it. morning, in the Jewish Observer, October 2003; highest degree! Most of us don’t have a plot of land available, “And just how does a person acquire faith?” asked R. Sanders. but certainly we all have windows. What about creating your R’ Wolbe gestured to the many sefarim, books on Mussar, on ethics, But for now let me continue with my morning. I read for about Mrs Sudy Rosengarten of Bnei Brak, writes the story of Mrs. own window garden this year? Research your flowers. Find out that lined his table, “Kasuv kahn.” (It’s written here.) I encourage an hour or so. By 6, I’m out the door with my sneakers ready for Rutie (Bernfeld) Glick who was eight years old during the war. what grows well in your particular climate. For hummingbirds, you all to visit your local Judaica library or bookstore. There are my morning ‘power walk’. Had a great walk. Go inside to get my Mrs. Glick and her family were part of the Kastner transport, plant tubular flowers! Don’t forget a bird feeder and bird bath so many beautiful, inspiring books that are available for us. These weights, return to the porch, and look up. I’m about to start my in which a million Hungarian Jews were to be exchanged for if at all possible. books can be our lifeline, the lessons within can help anchor us routine and lo and behold- there’s this huge deer sitting just feet trucks. Little Rutie and her family landed up in a Basunderlager, when life gets stormy. We do our best to share with you words away from me watching me so intently! I just realized that there is an autonomous camp where there was no forced labor, but they This summer I embarked upon a new project. I led a writing of inspiration and encouragement. But of course, we are limited a lesson to be learnt from deer. He didn’t take his eyes off me for a suffered terribly from the lack of food, and from the dreadful workshop here among my friends. It was fascinating to see how in space. Do not deprive yourselves. Make a point of perusing minute. He watched me with such intensity as I went through my lineups morning and night. Being part of this special group, they it evolved. It landed up becoming a support group, a therapy these inspiring tomes. lifts and raises. Although at some point in my routine I generally were given distinct privileges. Rosh Hashanah was approaching session for those participating. There were several women who stretch down to touch my toes, I didn’t dare bend down. I didn’t and they obtained permission to set up a Shule. Rutie’s mother were almost haunted by certain relationships in their lives. Joining The Naroler Rebbe passed away this summer, just two months want to lose eye contact with him! offered to sew a curtain for the closet in which they would place the group provided them with the license, the permission- if you before his 100th birthday. He was known for his concern for his the Sefer Torah. Now, they only had to find material with which will, to finally gather together all their jumbled thoughts and put fellow Jew. When he would daven for his own health, he would Believe me, I performed with much greater intensity and to create this curtain. They were garbed in rags by now… Rutti’s them down with pen and paper, thereby, finally able to express beg Hashem, “Ribono shel Olam, help Klal Yisrael…and I am also enthusiasm knowing that I had such an attentive audience! He mother asked Rutie and her friends to go collect the yellow stars how they are really feeling. This became a very therapeutic hour a Yid.” May I use his words, and may we all collectively echo his didn’t blink an eye. Do deer blink? I have to check that out. I did from all their fellow Jews… for the participants of the group. Again, as always, I urge you all to words, as we beseech Hashem in the coming weeks. There are so see one ear flutter for one second. But that was it. He was the take pen to paper. Write. Writing releases the pain. Writing allows many in need of yeshuos, refuos, nechamos, so many desperate most perfect, well behaved audience of one that a speaker or “Why should we collect those cursed badges of shame?” you to put things into perspective. Writing enables you to rise for their personal miracle. Please, Hashem fulfill those dreams, performer could dream of! my sister Suri said in distress. “Thank G-d we don’t have above the issues, seeing them from an objective light. wipe away those tears, and don’t forget about each one of us- to wear them anymore.” after all- I am also a Yid!! After about 10 minutes or so he arose and gracefully strode off, I’ve another suggestion for you for the new year. Several years looking back over his shoulder at me for another 5 minutes or so. “But Surale, just think of all the yellow-gold thread I’ll find in ago I placed in my kitchen a giant size bulletin board. This has There are so many fabulous items in this issue of A TIME. I always When he was quite a distance away, he turned to look at me for a those Magen Davids! We’ll take each one carefully apart, and become my favorite spot- this board is all me!! I tacked onto the have my personal favorites as I’m sure you also do as you read short while. I waved goodbye! from all of the thread make one gigantic Magen David that board my favorite photos of family and friends; those photos that through these magazines. I love the long articles on Succoth that we’ll sew onto one of the white sheets…Suri, we’ll have the add meaning and depth to our Yom Tov. I’m thrilled with the But that’s not all… There was a concept that I read about bring a smile to my face and tug at my heart! I have hanging here most beautiful paroches in the whole world.
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