EDDY'S PAGE
by Eddy Robey M.A.

One of the blessings of my life as a kosher food maven is the way kitchen musings open the door for discussions and supportive relationships with other Jewish women of every age. Last year, a young lady asked me for a recipe, and thus began a pleasant online acquaintance between us.

A few months after that first email, I was in New York, and made a date to spend the afternoon with her at the Guggenheim. It took us a bit of time to find each other, and we shared a giggle when saying that we both just kept looking for and approaching other gals wearing long skirts. The exhibit and conversation were both interesting and fun. When saying good-bye a few hours later, we each felt that we had made a new friend.

A couple of months ago, I received an email from her, saying that her father was undergoing surgery, and asking me to say a misheberach for him. Naturally, I felt honored by the request, pleased that she shared her troubles, and glad to be of help.

Baruch Hashem, her father came though everything, and is well enough to travel. Her whole family will be spending Pesach here in California. I am looking forward to another excursion with her on one of the intermediate days, this time to the Huntington Library.

Why have I told you this story?

During the last few years I have received many copies of a circulating email about Yom Hashoah. The gist of it is that I should forward this message which contains a link to a website which is supposed to be some sort of memorial. The site says that almost half a million people have visited there, although it contains no information about Holocaust Remembrance Day, no further links to educational or religious sites, not even a way to give charity. It does nothing but exist and count how many folks have seen it. It says only that,

"If we reach the goal of reaching six million before Holocaust Remembrance Day, we will fulfill and give back to G-d what he gave to us: six million Jews who are alive today who remember those who perished."

Huh? What does that website do? I admit to being rather outraged at the notion of fulfilling obligations by merely clicking a mouse. From my perspective, how about giving tzedakah, saying a bracha, keeping kosher even for a day, being shomer shabbas, going to shul: any or all of the preceding?

That is why I told you about my friend Marceia. We share tips on kashrut, finding pretty tznius dresses, discuss religious and cultural issues, pray for one another....... That is how to most effectively answer those who would have erased our traditions. Be a light unto the nations and each other.

Celebrate Torah fellowship for those who can no longer do that. Keep Judaism alive.