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April 5, 2025 - 8 Nisan 5785 Parashat Vayikra - An Age of Enlightenment
Dear Friends, Passover is just a week away and the coming week will be a busy one with all of our preparations. If you have any questions about preparing your home for Passover, please contact me. We would like to thank Diana and Jimmy Litwin for sponsoring tomorrow's Kiddush luncheon in honor of Harry Speiser. Diana was the daughter-in-law of Harry's dear friend, Mike Worthheim Z"L. In sponsoring the Kiddush, Diana is honoring both Harry and Mike and we thank her and Jimmy for generously sharing with us their Mitzvah. Last Shabbat, after praying and eating with so many of you, I had the extraordinary pleasure of doing something I've never done before: I got to hang out with a centenarian, someone who has been blessed to live past the age of 100. In this case, my new friend is about to turn 105. Just typing that boggles my mind. Harry Speiser, member of our congregation and our illustrious guest for this coming Shabbat, is a few days away from turning 105 years old. To think about the world he was born into, the people he's known, the world events and advances in technology he has lived through is almost literally unfathomable. Yet, these are all just parts of the meaningful life he has lived to date! Harry's energy, focus, enthusiasm, and storytelling belie his triple digit age. Indeed, after spending about an hour and half with him last Shabbat, I was blown away by the sharpness and clarity of his mind. Had I spent time with him unaware of his age, I never would have guessed he's almost 105. His is the Chayim Arukim, the long and blessing-filled life we aspire to and pray for in our traditional liturgy. His kindness, warmth, and welcoming nature shines through, and it is obvious to anyone who has spent time with him that these qualities have always been at his core. I learned so much in our time together, but I won't play spoiler here so that you're more inclined to join us for my "Torah-side Chat" with Harry on Shabbat morning. Please do! You'll be moved and inspired to make the most you can of every day we're blessed to have. And we'll celebrate Harry's 105th (!) birthday together! You won't want to miss it! Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Joshua Strom
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