Israel Solidarity Initiative

Nicholas Kapusta, 5, of Rochester,
a patient.

and no details about how those funds
will be used, other than to help children
help themselves. Leaving the security of
Young Israel for a new venture is a big
risk, but it's one the rabbi is willing to
take.
Today, Rabbi Goldberg sits in his
home office in Southfield, surrounded
by Jewish books (and a few on psy-
chology), and family photos. Near him
is an embroidered work showing the
Kotel, the Western Wall. On the wooden
floors are two chairs, where he has spent
many hours counseling. A large poster, a
collage of photos from Camp Simcha,
hangs on the wall beside his desk.
You might think, initially, that work-
ing with ill and dying children would
challenge Rabbi Goldberg's faith, or at
least diminish it.
On the contrary, he says.
"Yes, it can be overwhelming to
watch them die. But they are great
teachers of faith and life."
He speaks of one cancer-stricken boy,
18-year-old Boris. An immigrant from
the former Soviet Union, he had little
family and few friends. At Camp
Sirncha, Rabbi Goldberg met Boris and
saw that he loved being Jewish.
After his disease returned for the third
rime, Boris asked the rabbi, "How does
a Jew prepare to die?"
"We don't prepare to die," Rabbi
Goldberg answered. "We prepare to
live. And we learn to say, every day,
despite our pain, 'Thank God, I'm
alive.' Every day, we are grateful for
life."
For a while, Boris got better, although
it was clear he would die soon. Often,
he would speak on the phone with
Rabbi Goldberg. Once Boris told him,
"God bless you."
Rabbi Goldberg responded: "God
bless you."
Boris said, "He already has."
"Imagine," Rabbi Goldberg says. "In
his tortured existence, this is what Boris
said. If this young man feels blessed,
then what should the rest of us feel?" 1-1

ISRAEL
NEEDS
US

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel
Martin S. Indyk

Please join us for

PERSPECTIVES ON A REGION IN TURMOIL

Israel and the Middle East

with
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel

Martin S. Indyk

RSVP
by February 28th

Thursday, March 7, 2002
7:30 p.m.
Temple Shir Shalom
3999 Walnut Lake Road
West Bloomfield

(248)642-4260, ext. 303
or abrea@jfmd.org
Online registration at:
www.thisisfederation.org

You must pre-register to attend — Seating is limited

NO SOLICITATIONS WILL BE MADE AT THE EVENT

Jewish bu9k
Community
Council otrar.....
---

Visit us online: www.thisisfederation.org

A *no

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2/15 --
2002

63

