Thoughts & Teachings
Marsha Gammerman
The High Holidays and the memory of my beloved father, Henry Satisky, are inextricably linked. My father died roughly two weeks before these holidays, and the service I attend to commemorate his yarhzeit is often punctuated by the sound of the shofar.
I wait for the shofar's timeless, ancient blast, and in that more than stirring, jarring moment, I feel so connected to my father. I feel more connected than I usually do. I feel his very presence urging me to be the best I can be, no excuses.
Elul is, indeed, here and it is time to shape up, dearie! I remember the values that were so important to him: family, friends, his country, purpose, community and simple pleasures. In that soulful moment where my father and I truly meet, I understand what I have to do with such clarity.
While I am busy readying for the holidays by making chicken soup, stocking up on Bubbe Jean's Brisket Magic, connecting with family and friends, and cleaning all sorts of odd and hard to reach places at home to make it sparkle for the holidays, I take a long hard look at myself, trying to figure out what I can do better. How can I be a better person? My goal is to be remembered as a blessing. It is, for sure, a full-time job.
