Life Cycle Events

[for a Zoom-only, Covid Era funeral] “I just want to thank you for the beautiful service today. It was exactly how we had envisioned it to be. You did such a beautiful job summarizing her life and expressing what a lovely, lovely person she was.”

[for a combined live plus Zoom/Covid Funeral] “Thanks so much for you support and guidance during this difficult, sad time for our family. It was so comforting for me to be able to let go and be in the moment, honoring Jerry and seeking comfort for myself and the family – thanks to your gentle reminders. I was able to watch the service and shared memories on the Youtube recording – it was a lovely and meaningful service – traditional yet contemporary and so perfect for these times. I’ve received lots of compliments for you and the service – so I’m sending them along. Thanks for being there for us.”

“I am writing to you to let you know how much we appreciated your officiating at my son’s funeral yesterday. You and Gary’s friends represented Gary perfectly. It may sound silly but, this was the best funeral I have ever attended…except for the fact that it was my son. It was the first time in a week, that the weight was lifted from my chest. Every comment that was made to me afterward, by the 300+ attendees, included “the Rabbi was terrific”… Just wanted you to know that and that we appreciate you.

“I was compelled to reach out this morning, after hearing you speak at Gary’s memorial yesterday. I stopped attending Temple about 20 years ago, finding more inspiration and connection with G-D in my garden then in those buildings. However, your words yesterday have made me consider that I was, perhaps in the wrong buildings. Thank you for bringing such real, heartfelt and comforting words to such a horrible event. I have always believed in an after life, but was always told that “Jews don’t.” I hope to find you speaking again at one of your classes, and thank you for yesterday.

I just wanted to extend my gratitude to you on behalf of my family. Your service accurately grasped the love that Stephanie’s family had for her and her love that she had for everyone around her. Everything felt as it should have felt; embracing her Jewish heritage, allowing for a bit of laughter and light when remembering her and the final gesture of having the family walk along those who supported them was the exact way we think Stephanie would have wanted her goodbye to be. I can’t imagine this is a word that should be used to describe a funeral, but it was perfect. Thank you for helping us all set her to rest in peace and with both love and sorrow. You’ve eased the concern we had about making sure the service felt right for Stephanie.

“My dad and I would like to thank you for the beautiful eulogy you delivered for my mom. Even though you had never met her, what you wrote and said captured her spirit and personality perfectly. The time you spent with us getting to know her was so valuable to us. I have heard from many friends and family members not only how much the appreciated you words about my mom, but also about the story behind some of the Jewish customs.”

“People loved the service that you did for my Mom on Monday and are still talking about it. You really helped a horrible day be a little sweeter. Thanks again for a job well done.”

“I wanted to thank you on behalf of my family for your service and support around the loss of my grandmother. You led a very sweet service and my mom especially wanted to thank you for helping her find completion with the death of her mother. What you provided in 30 min is an essential part of a lifetime of healing. Thanks for creating a space of trust, openness, love and acknowledgement. My mom is lighter now and my grandmother can truly be remembered as a Woman of Valor!”

“The funeral service you performed for Esther was exceptional. Everything you said, the way you explained things, and everything you did had so much meaning to me and my family. I found it to be inclusive to all faiths and belief systems. I received so many positive remarks from both non-Jewish guests that never attended a Jewish event and Jewish guests alike. They could not stop talking about how inspirational and instructional the funeral service was. You did a lovely job and for that we are eternally grateful. I always knew you were special because my sister told me you were, but I know
now first hand that you are because you gave me and my family “calm” during some of our worst days. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and God bless you always.”

“Thank you so much, first, arriving at our home at a moment’s notice, second, performing a warm wonderful service for my father.”

“I thank you for the wonderful job you did. It seemed you knew our family well. I had comments from the attendees telling us how much they appreciated your eulogy and that they learned things previously unknown as did I. Thank you for everything. I can’t tell you how you made the darkest day of my life a little brighter.”

“My children and I want to thank you for how well you directed and led Steve’s funeral yesterday. You are an outstanding, intelligent communicator of ideas and messages with an amazing blended yin yang style of science, knowledge and spirituality. You are by far the most impressive Rabbi I have ever experienced due to how you carry and convey all the wisdom of your history. You brought a lot of comfort to us on a truly difficult day. What I found particularly soothing is how you made the day about the highest good of all concerned! The messages that you conveyed about how communication with Steve can go on and continue were profound & much appreciated.”

“It was a blessing meeting you. Thank you so very much for your heartfelt words of inspiration, prayer, and thought in guiding the funeral and graveside services for our dearly departed Adrienne. We truly appreciate the compassion and conviction with which you conducted her ceremony. Your eloquence and humanity truly honored her memory. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”