Dear Friends: 

     As we look forward to the second half of our synagogue’s calendar year, it seems most appropriate that I share with you some personal background regarding an upcoming event that I hope all of you will try to attend. I am referring, of course, to the performance of the play, based upon the award-winning book, “The Blessing of a Broken Heart,” scheduled for Wednesday evening, January 23^rd, at 7:00 PM, in our Levine Community Center.

     Rabbi Seth and Sherri Mandell moved their family to Israel in 1996 because they loved Israel and wanted to place Judaism at the center of their children’s lives. On May 8, 2001, their 13 year old son, Koby, and his friend, were brutally murdered by Arab terrorists while hiking in a canyon near their home. Their lives were changed forever. 

     As part of their efforts to find a way to deal with their grief, and after a great deal of consideration, Sherri and Seth decided that they needed to transform the cruelty of Koby’s death into a vehicle for healing other families similarly affected by having loved ones killed in acts of terror. And so, the Mandells created Camp Koby, an incredible opportunity for the siblings, parents, and children of victims of terror to find comfort and to begin to heal and re-enter their lives. More recently they broadened their efforts further, creating a foundation in Koby’s name that will support similar programming on a larger scale. 

     As she continued to find expressions that could bring her greater healing, Sherri wrote the award-winning book, “The Blessing of a Broken Heart,” the story of her grief turned to healing activism; a remarkable account of Sherri’s journey from shock to grief and from grief to healing herself, her family, and others in similar need. 

     I’ve been blessed to know Seth and Sherri personally for the last five years, and their journey is truly inspirational. While speaking with the Mandells recently, Sherri informed me that her book had been adapted into a play and was set to be performed in San Diego in mid-January. In the hope of sharing her meaningful story with our community, we discussed the possibility of our bringing the production to Ner Tamid. Sherri put the producer/playwright who adapted and directed her story for the theater in contact with me. This is where the incredibly small world in which we live becomes readily apparent. 

     The play, “The Blessing of a Broken Heart,” was adapted and directed by Todd Salovey, son of Elaine and Ron Salovey, who have been members of Ner Tamid for more than thirty years. Todd grew up at Ner Tamid! We are so excited to welcome him home to share with us his highly acclaimed adaptation of Sherri’s book. We are very fortunate, as well, that Sherri will be present to greet us in person and to respond to our questions following the play. 

     The evening of January 23^rd will be a special one for our synagogue. Please make every effort to attend this extraordinary program. I know it is an evening that you will not want to miss! 

     Let me take this opportunity to wish you and yours a Happy New Year! Let us look forward to the many opportunities that we will have to enjoy our community together in the year ahead. 

B’Shalom—With Blessings of Peace of Wholeness, 

Rabbi Isaac Jeret

Spiritual Leader