Back in 1984, when we met & married, she was the Organist/Choir Director at St. Mark's Episcopal, which is a block away from the Temple. Both institutions have enjoyed a long history of fellowship; they were built in the 1880's, and the first organist at St. Mark's, Guy Hackett, was also the Temple's first organist.
Right before we married, the Temple's President, Phil Salkin, wanders into the office and mentions that "their organist just retired, how'd you like another job whose hours won't conflict with the ones here?"
( Phil was an old friend of her family's, and mine, from way back... )
She thought it sounded interesting, accepted, and indeed we cut our honeymoon short so she could return for her debut there.
The next year she convinced her choir ( I was a member, naturally ) that singing for the High Holy Days would be a challenging & interesting thing to do, and the St. Mark's Choir has done so every year since. This will be the first year she misses, I'm not sure what, if anything, the choir will do in her absence.
Her resignation last week was a source of considerable grief; we've enjoyed a long & very congenial relationship with the Temple, indeed last year the Sisterhood inducted her as a member, much to her delight.
It sounds interesting, and a source fo spiritual grace. I'm sorry to hear of her having to miss such a special event.
Her resignation last week was a source of considerable grief; we've enjoyed a long & very congenial relationship with the Temple, indeed last year the Sisterhood inducted her as a member, much to her delight.
Friendship is a good thing. I have a little prayer you might pass on there her concerning grief. It is short:
In this sadness that weighs me down and for which I can find no human support, I turn to you Jesus, to be my friend and protector and intercede for me on behalf of the Father in Heaven. Ask I may welcome whatever God may send for love of Him who makes all things a means of holiness.