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
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It is such a good
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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
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