Al Ta’azvenu B’et Ziknah  

Adonai, do not leave us in our old age.

When I turned 50, I went for a walk on the Santa Monica beach. As I watched the endless waves roll in, I reflected on the fact that nothing more serious than having my tonsils removed had occurred in my first blessed 50 years. I said to myself, “You know Shelly, that everyone gets their share of pain and suffering in life, so I guess yours is yet to come. I hope and pray that you will have the fortitude and presence of mind not only to bear and survive it, but to also give strength and support to your family and demonstrate how one handles the pain and suffering which are part of living.”

Over the next 20 years, I have had 4 medical opportunities to practice this “art of living”. When I lost my beloved job as National Ramah Director, my concern was similar. How do I handle this loss in a way that would teach my grown children not to turn my loss into a rejection of Jewish communal service in general, and about the value of Ramah in particular?

Through these life experiences, I have come to believe that one’s reaction to life’s inevitable crises is perhaps the most valuable legacy one can give to his offspring and family.

Dr. Sheldon Dorph is a Rabbi, teacher, husband, father and proud grandfather.