Over a long weekend, I helped with her care, as best I could. I ran errands and cooked meals and did whatever I thought needed to be done. Living here does not provide me the opportunity to be so involved in her day to day life.

When I arrived at the airport in Manchester at the end of five busy days, I was able to take a deep breath and relax for a few moments. I boarded the flight bound for Detroit and got comfortable in my seat. A man sat down next to me. He introduced himself. I introduced myself. We exchanged a few words about what

we were doing in New Hampshire. Then it happened. He asked me what I did for a living. Do I tell him or don’t I tell him? That was the question I asked myself.

Should I or shouldn’t I? My mind raced for a moment. If I tell him I am a rabbi, will I be faced with questions and conversations that won’t allow me to relax? Or do I simply tell him that I teach or that I counsel and hope that this will suffice?

What to do? It was grandmother’s birthday on the day I flew back. Though she passed away 18 years earlier, July 11 was still her birthday. I had gone to her gravesite only a few hours before the flight. I actually sang “Happy Birthday” to her. She would have been 99 years old. My grandmother was so proud of my decision to become a rabbi. She would tear up when she would see me and say, “Are you really going to be a rabbi?” She was really kvelling. She passed away before I was ordained.

In honor of my grandmother Lillian, I decided to tell the gentleman next to me that I was a rabbi in Grand Rapids. The questions came. What did I believe about life after death? Why did I not believe in Jesus? Did God call me to become a rabbi? What was my life like? I smiled through the answers as I thought about my grandmother.

Then topic of Israel came up. Had I been there? Did I have relatives there? I was anticipating a question about the politics of the region when the gentleman on my left surprised me. He simply came out with this statement, “I am very proud of Israel.” “I am too,” was my response. “Why are you so proud?” I asked. “For all they stand for,” he replied. I smiled and agreed. I asked him if he had ever been to a rally in support of Israel. He told me he had not. I invited him to an event that I am hoping many of our members will attend this month.

On Wednesday evening, August 24, beginning at 5:30 PM, “Stand With Us” is sponsoring a rally in Rosa Parks Circle for Israel. The idea is to bring together Jews and Christians to celebrate the unique friendship between Israel and America. “Stand With Us” is an amazing organization that teaches the truth about Israel on college campuses and throughout the world. Their aim is to teach students how to respond to misinformation perpetuated about Israel all over America. Their website is www.standwithus.com.

Details are being worked out as this bulletin is being put to bed. We thank Sheryl Siegel for helping make this event happen. I am very excited that this is happening in Grand Rapids.

And so, if you are proud of Israel too, and for all that Israel stands for, for democracy and equality and freedom, bring your children and relatives and your friends to downtown Grand Rapids later this summer. Stand with “Stand with Us” and show your pride. Susan and Shira and I look forward to seeing you there.

Continue to enjoy our glorious West Michigan summer.

All my best, Rabbi