Bechukotai 5782 ~ May 27, 2022

Rabbinically Yours – In Memory and in Strength

This Shabbat we end our reading of the Book of Vayikra, Leviticus. As we traditionally say at the end of the reading of a book of Torah, “Chazak, chazak,v’nitchazek,” may we be strengthened by the reading, and be strengthened from our completion of the reading, to find strength.

Dear friends, a chapter, or shall I say a book - a  sefer Torah, embodied in the character and soul of one special neshama, has sadly been completed this past week. Our beloved friend and cantor passed away after a long battle with cancer.  Hazzan Sandy Cohn was an inspiration to us all, in many ways that were not shared with you. He was strong and determined and kept up a good face, while in pain. He told me that he so loved our shul for the kind people that are a part of our congregation. And, each month, it was preparing and actually leading our services that gave him the strength of the words we chant at the end of the reading. It lifted his spirits high, both for Shabbat and the High Holy Days. His family, in many ways have become a part of ours.

I was so privileged to sense their love for their husband, father, son, son-in-law, brother and brother-in-law. I believe that those of us in attendance at the funeral service were quite touched by the love that was shown. As I shared with his daughter Shoshana, the fact that she and her brother often drove Cantor Cohn here was a sign of the honor that the commandment of honoring a parent is about;  it is at this point in our lives that we fulfill and understand the mitzvah. He was truly their role model and ours. I sent a text to my friend Sandy a few days before he died and Shoshana told me that she read it to him when he no longer had the strength to read from his phone. I am forever indebted to him for his friendship and his inspiration.

I know of many of Cantor Cohn’s friends who share that same sentiment. This Friday evening, a few have asked to join our services to share their thoughts. I hope that you might do the same.

Since some of you were not present at the funeral service, I would like to share with you the complete text that I was going to deliver at the service. Due to the length of the service, I shortened it that afternoon. I am most certain that you agree with me in its sentiments. I know that his family did.

Dear Chaver,

I have been so blessed to have been reunited with you from our Seminary days, more than four decades ago, as have so many others.  These past two and a half years you have been my inspiration. I found comfort knowing you were there, even part-time all the way in W. Hartford.  Congregation Beth El of New London was reinvigorated by your special soul and spirit  and as Beth shared with me, those Friday nights rocked in your house. And I know it will be felt in the new home we are about to build for our shul. Sandy, I was so delighted when the congregation agreed with me to change your title to Cantor in Residence from High Holiday Cantor. The title is You, with a capital Y, as you inspired us with your JETI talks, especially the memorable Music of Leonard Cohen and the talk on Bob Dylan, as part of our adult education, your leading us in song and prayer on the beach, or your simply showing up unannounced to morning and evening minyans on Zoom to be there for someone who was reciting Kaddish.

Sandy, for Beth, your children, your mother and mother-in-law, you were their tzur tamim, their always rock and pillar of strength, even during these past two weeks.  Chaver, even with your passing,  you will be the Sandy we all know… who from Gan Eden will continue to be there, with the strength to provide your family with the courage and vision beyond. It is just the incredible person all of us have come to admire.

When you first joined me at Beth El, I asked you to sing at our Yizkor service, a most meaningful Safam tune, written by Joel Sussman, entitled Tribute. You listened to the song on YouTube, read the lyrics, and  then said to me: “Earl, I don’t think I can sing this without crying. It is the son within me.” I can still hear you strum your guitar, as you sang the words in the key and soul of Sandy, which is how you continue to inspire us all.  Today and always you will be our mentor in life and while I know your three children will recognize their father in these lyrics, we are all your children, or as the lyrics state we are all your son:

Oh, the man was not a saint because no mortal man could be,

But the man he was the kind I’ve tried so very hard to be.
For he said it does not matter what you earn or where you live,

For a man he is remembered by the way that he would give.

And the man he was a giver
And he gave with all his heart
But it pained him so to take
Because he loved the giving part.
So I give to you my father dear in sad memoriam
That this man he is a better man for knowing he’s your son.

Yitgadal v’yitkadash sh’mei rabah,

Sanctified and hallowed is His Kingdom over us all.

Oseh shalom bim’romav Hu ya’aseh shalom Aleinu v’al kol Yisrael v’imru amen.

May God’s great name be praised and acclaimed for now and evermore.

Y’hei sh’mei rabah m’varach l’olam ul’olmei olmaya

So I give to you my father dear in sad memoriam
That this man he is a better man for knowing he’s your son.

Sandy, in Tribute I conclude with the words of one of your loving congregants here from The Emanuel Synagogue who emailed me yesterday with the following ending words:

When it comes to Hazzan Cohn, I truly don’t say “May his name be for a blessing”. I say “His name IS a blessing.”  I can only respond, as we all do:  “Amen.”

In memory and respect, chazak, chazak, v’neetzhchazek, on this Shabbat, may we be strengthened in our thoughts of Hazzan Sanford Cohn.

May we also find strength as this Shabbat morning we will pause to pay tribute to the memories of those who served our county in our armed forces.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi K