Jewish Life Digital Edition February 2014 | Page 8

LETTERS SAY WHAT? HAVE YOUR SAY… fEmail the editor at [email protected] WIN The heart-wrenching article “If you go away” in your January 2014 edition has left me reeling with pain, rage and tears. The writer, with her sensitive and compassionate telling of the unbearable tragedy of one family, has managed to touch the most vulnerable chords of grief and sorrow that reside within each and every one of us. The depth of her observations, the haunting depiction of sterile hospital wards and the sincerity of her human emotions resonate strongly with anyone who has experienced the agonising devastation of loss and mourning. Above all, her searing description leaves unanswered the eternal question – “Why?” – directed at the all-knowing Master of the Universe. One of our basic needs, as people, is to understand and to make sense of the world we live in. Without this knowledge, we feel powerless, frustrated and baffled. Any lack of coherent order or manifest unfairness leaves us unsettled and confused. It is possible, though, that the writer has, intuitively, offered us some answers. Thanks to her powerful images and the strong response they evoke, we connect with members of this stricken family and their unimaginable personal trauma. Through our shared humanity and our common Jewish values, we are able to identify, for a brief moment, with their despair – in a true and meaningful way. This chain of solidarity transcends the suffering and reaffirms that we are all made in G-d’s image. It inspires us to soar beyond our mortal limitations and reach our infinite capacity for love and empathy. May they find comfort among the mourners NOGA PATZ of Zion. THE MOUNTAIN FAMILY – An Appalachian Family of 12 and Their Fascinating Journey to Judaism BY: Tzirel Rus Berger with Penina Neiman; PUBLISHED BY: The Shaar Press Simply email the editor at letters@ jewishlife.co.za with your views and opinions or post your comment on our Facebook page. Search for Jewish Life, like, and get talking, it’s that simple! May your magazine continue to help, assist and inspire people! It is such a good read, always interesting, relevant and inspiring! GARY OOPS! Leigh Appleton and Rachel Sacks showed us their amazing art talents on the N Factor. They were incorrectly identified in the last issue as Mia Peretz and Gabriella Berkman, who did a fab dance duet. See these and more of the N Factor competitors at jewishlife.co.za and vote for your favourites. See more details on page 23. Rachel Falkson Director, the N Factor JL nt show JL’s st r tale Jewish Life reserves the right to edit letters