Brotherhood Reports

This is hoping that you all are doing well and are in good health.  One thing that life has taught me is that things can turn on a dime and BOOM, you are down.  Hopefully you can get back up.  Isn’t there a saying that “it doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, it is how many times you get up.”

I had the privilege of talking to Josephine Laxton, Ray’s wife.  She was well enough to pick up the phone.  It was an inspiring conversation.  Josephine is a poet and an author who can trace her lineage back to the momentous events of 1066, the Battle of Hastings and before!  I look forward to future conversations with her when I speak to Ray.

At the Brotherhood Executive Meeting last week, I stepped down as President as of the end of this calendar year or when we find a new president, whichever occurs sooner..  The reason is that I have more than a few very serious health issues to deal with.  I am writing a book about my life which covers 5 generations of the Greene family.  Time is pressing for me and I need to get it done while there is time and I am still here.  At present, there is no president so we will govern by committee.  The job is open if you want it and possess the skills to move us forward.

A warm welcome goes out to Ken Sigesmund, a new member of the Temple and of our Brotherhood Family.  Ken took advantage of our open invitation to join the Brotherhood Executive and was at our executive meeting last week.  Ken is so committed that he came to the meeting even though he had a big trip planned for Calgary and had to fly out the next day.  Now, that is commitment!  I’ll tell you; having met Ken and corresponded with  him, I don’t think you’ll find a nicer guy!

This is why Brotherhood exists!  it provides an opportunity to meet terrific and fine Jewish men in a Jewish setting.  What better way, if there, to make new friendships and strengthen existing ones!  Tell your friends about us!  We are a BARGOON!  Three bucks a month, programming and eats for you and your sweetie included!  What could be better!

I remember when my father-in-law, a great beloved man indeed, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.  He couldn’t talk about it and the family couldn’t talk about it:  the silence was deafening.  One time when we were alone in the car, with no escape, I brought the subject up; after all, I was only the son-in-law!  When I mentioned that I was aware of his situation and that I promised him, that my children, his grandchildren, would remember their Zaidee Mendy and respect his name, it was as if a dam broke and out came this torrent of feeling.  I learned that he had paid for and arranged his own funeral and where the papers were so the “goniffs wouldn’t cheat us!”  This breakthrough allowed the family to talk about this and tensions to ease!

In my own case, my family is aware.  There is no tension between us due to trying to keep a well-known dark secret.  Everything is out in the open.  That is why this next event with Dr. Julie McIntyre, MD, CCFP, FCFP is so important.  Julie, recognizing the importance of dealing with this part of life’s journey, in effect, and after she retired, went “back to school” to learn how to deal with the different parts of dealing with the emotions and the minutiae surrounding the end of life, hell bent on getting the word out to help folks deal with it.

She needs you to come to our Thursday night event at 7:00 to hear her, and learn what she has to offer so you can use it for yourself and spread the word.  You need to be there to receive Julie’s wisdom and derive comfort when you get to this stage with your loved ones or with yourself.  This is not a sitcom but life going on through, no matter what!

So, to put it in a nutshell, come, meet and greet Dr. Julie McIntyre, this Thursday, at 7:00!  The topic: Advance Care Planning, and End of Life Issues:  Your Life!  Your Issues!

This opportunity is free for Brotherhood Members and their lovely wives!  Temple members are $5.00 and community members pay $7:00.  So to let me know that you will be there, just reply to this email and let me know if your wife will be joining us as well as anyone else you are bringing!  This way, I can inform the always energetic Cal Avertick, a good guy if there ever was one what dessert delicacies to purchase and how much!

OK!  I hope I’ll see you on Thursday at 7:00 to meet and greet Dr. Julie McIntyre and also to allow me to see you and shake your hand!

Yours in Brotherhood

Sim Greene
Past-President
Temple Har Zion Brotherhood