Keeper of the Flame

Our synagogue honored our work this past weekend by giving us the Keeper of the Flame Award. It’s kind of backwards, because without the support from our friends and community, we would not be in a position to be honored. Phyllis delivered our remarks.

DARREN AND I ARE VERY HUMBLED AND GRATEFUL FOR THIS AWARD.  WE HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR THIS COMMUNITY.   IT MEANS A LOT TO BE RECOGNIZED BY ALL OF YOU.

WE JOINED THIS CONGREGATION IN 2002.  IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE DID WHEN WE MOVED TO PHILADELPHIA.

BEING PART OF A JEWISH COMMUNITY WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US.  WE ALSO KNEW WE’D NEED THE STANDARD JEWISH FARE OF A BRIS, A BABY NAMING, BNAI MITZVOT AND HEBREW SCHOOL.  I GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT WE CHOSE OR AMI AS OUR SERVICE PROVIDER.

WE NEVER IMAGINED THAT WE’D NEED OR AMI TO OFFICIATE OUR SON’S FUNERAL, LEAD A SHIVA MINYAN IN OUR HOUSE FOR SEVEN DAYS, UNLEASH A MITZVAH CORPS THAT PROVIDED US WITH FOOD AND NECESSITIES FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH, AND GIVE US A PLACE TO  SAY KADDISH FOR A YEAR.

WE HAD FRIENDS THAT SUPPORTED US, MANY OF YOU ARE HERE TONIGHT, BUT SO MUCH OF THE SUPPORT CAME FROM MEMBERS OF THIS CONGREGATION — THAT WE DID NOT KNOW.  WHY?  BECAUSE WE WERE JEWISH, LIVING IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE WERE IN NEED.

THINK ABOUT THAT.  WHERE ELSE DOES THAT HAPPEN?

THAT ESSENCE IS REALLY WHAT NEEDS TO BE HONORED HERE TONIGHT.  SURE, WE’VE ACCOMPLISHED SOME GOOD THINGS WITH SIMON’S FUND, LIKE HELPING THREE STUDENTS IN THIS CONGREGATION DISCOVER HEART CONDITIONS, BUT WE REALLY DON’T KNOW IF WE’D BE HERE IN THIS POSITION IF IT WEREN’T FOR THE SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT OF THIS COMMUNITY.

WE WERE WRONG TWELVE YEARS AGO.  OR AMI ISN’T JUST A SERVICE PROVIDER.  IT’S ALSO AN INSURANCE POLICY.  IT’S A PLACE WHERE YOU WILL NEVER BE ALONE IN TIMES OF TRAGEDY OR TRIUPH.

SO THANKS AGAIN FOR HONORING US TONIGHT.  WE ARE PROUD OF THIS AWARD, BUT WE ARE MORE PROUD ABOUT BEING A PART OF THIS JEWISH COMMUNITY.