Two weeks
It is two weeks since Judah left us. I have been searching for words to describe the outpouring of love from all of our family and our friends. Judah touched a great many people in ways that we did not even know about. We all learned about him from your stories, funny tales, and comments. I'd love to hear even more of them. I am still numb and in disbelief that Judah did not make it this time. Daily activities fill the hours, I will return to work, as is Alissa and Benji to school. Tomorrow evening we will join team JW for the walk. With Dave Nemetz's gentle push we have begun preliminary steps to organize a program to enlist more stem cell and bone marrow donors on the national registry. Perhaps one of Judah's legacies will be an increase in the donor registry base so anyone who needs a donor match will have one. We are grateful to his donor, who is unkown to us. This is one of Judah's photos. It brings me pleasure to see it, I hope you will smile, smell the roses and live well.
posted by The Whites @ 10:24 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
hi martha
we tried many times to get in touch with you. our email is
jehud@inter.net.il
be well avigail
Dear Martha, Allisa and Benjie,
I came to Batia and first I opened the internet and read all the letters that has been written about Judah, they didn’t exaggerate, all is true.
We loved him very much, he was very close to us.
I was very mooved from the massage you sent to all his friends and family "Erev Shabat" to think of Judah while lighting the candles and praying.
It is an expression of nobleness.
It is very difficult for me to express my grief for Judah's passing away, in English.
He was a wonderful person and you are a wonderful family.
We pray that god will give you the strength for carry on.
I embrace you all,
Cipora, Baruch, Yael, Batia and Gal
Martha--I can't find your email address and my parents are away, but I got your message. I will try to call either later tonight or tomorrow.
Love, Abby C
To the Whites,
Although I've never met you, I know that Judah cared deeply for his family. For he often mentioned you in our conversations. Judah was quite special. As a fellow resident, Judah was the first person I met while interviewing for jobs here in South CA. We both ended up at Huntington. We shared clinic space as well. One of the things I will always remember about Judah was his peacefullness. Whenever I was nervous about giving a speech, I look to Judah's face and feel calmed. Whenever,I was angered by a colleague or a percieved injustice , I was shown empathy and compassion for the other point of view by Judah's wise words. Even in illness, Judah always maintained a honorable level of peace and tranquility not witnessed very often. Judah was a wonderful person, who loved many and was also loved. I'm so sorry he has left us. This world needs more of his kind. My sincere condolences,
Adrienne Burrows, MD
Dear Judah's family,
You don't know me, and I don't know you, but I feel the need to tell you another story about Judah. I knew Judah briefly in college, as I was a friend of David Nemetz at Lafayette. I remember meeting this tall, funny guy who came to visit, and the next thing I knew he was enrolled! He and David even won the honor of watching our family dog when my parents brought her to surprise me on a visit to the school. I believe they fed her their entire meals that evening! Judah always seemed ephemeral -- not flaky but working on a higher, more calm plane than the rest of us. When David told me he was off to medical school, I remember thinking how lucky the world would be to have a doctor like him in it.
Years later we met again when my husband and I visited L.A. I recall an absolutely hysterical evening involving David cooking something in a "smoker" (an almost dangerous experience as I remember it)and Judah describing his life in medical school.
As I have followed the blog and read the stories people have shared, I realize that mine is a fairly insignificant one. But I felt the need to share it because it is just one more example of how Judah touched so many people. What a gift he was (and is) to the world, and what a gift you were (and are) to him.
When friends of mine were killed some years ago, the Rabbi said, "This is the time not to ask 'why' -- instead it is the time to ask 'what now?'. I see from your notes that each day brings a bit more of the answer.
As this year comes to a close and the new year dawns with all its hope and promise, I wish you peace and beautiful memories of your special being.
l'Shana Tova,
Laura Nadel Eisen
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