Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Baruch Dayyan ha'Emes

With pain and sorrow, I regret to announce the passing of my grandmother, Gisele Hausman, on Shmini Atzeres.

Grandma is the only grandparent I have really known; my other grandparents passed away before I turned 6.


In the course of my rabbinate I officiated or participated in funerals for hundreds of people. I feel cliche in invoking words I have heard out of so many other mouths - but it's all true.

Grandma is loving, courageous, and funny.

Grandma is committed to her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Grandma embraces Torah and encourages her descendants to do the same. She thanks Gd constantly for her good fortune.


Grandma remembers the pain of fleeing Europe in her youth and the death of so much of her family, and yet can revel in playing with children born in the 21st century. She can tell stories about pre-war Belgium, and ask how the Mets are doing in the next breath.

In forty years, I never heard a cross word from my grandmother. Frustration, yes. Concern, yes. Soft rebuke, even. But never anger.


Grandma is the greatest, and she leaves behind the greatest hole.

I hope to put up something more coherent in the next few days; right now, this is all I can say.

13 comments:

  1. Deepest condolences. Saw the announcement sent out by the RJC but didn't make the connection. We were indirect beneficiaries of her through your parent's hospitality all those years go in Oceanside.

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  2. Steg (dos iz nit der šteg)October 10, 2012 at 12:33 AM

    המקום ינחם את כולכם

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  3. I'm sorry to hear this. Chaim aruchim to you and your family.

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  4. I'm very sorry to hear about this. תנוחם מן השמים.

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  5. ברוך דיין האמת - מן השמים תנוחמו

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  6. Sorry for your loss, Rabbi. May Hashem comfort you and your family among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

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  7. Baruch Dayan Emet. Very sorry for your loss.

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  8. Boruch Dayan Emet. May the precious memories you have of your grandmother be a comfort to you and your family.

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  9. Thank you, all of you. I appreciate your comments, as well as the private emails I have received. You have been a big help.

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  10. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

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