Pesach 2020 has been an immersive experience like no other I can recall, that’s been more like a rollercoaster ride rather than an Exodus experience. 

My own family and community have witnessed over the last 4-5 weeks  (as no doubt many of you, also maybe have experienced during your personal journey)  some intense, inspirational,emotional, special, truly humbling and unforgettable moments.

We have celebrated a couple of special milestone birthdays, laughed,cried,hugged and sung like never before. We have received so much love and we are truly grateful.

Unaccustomed as I am usually to any social media interaction, I have observed a steady amazing growth of people globally finding their voices to speak up and somehow my small quiet voice has grown in confidence too.

Below is a photo taken in happier times in Jan  1956, of our lovely Mum, Doreen Berkley nee Wacks z”l born 17th March 1933. 

I believe it was taken in Tivon Israel at the Pidyan Haben of my oldest brother David. It was a time of her life which was full of hope - Tikva and the enigmatic radiant smile on her face and her signature raised eyebrow in this photo captures and encapsulates that feeling.

It’s been a difficult month for us as a family with her Birthday, Yahrzeit and Yizkor all taking place in lockdown. 

I know this lockdown situation has affected many of us in similair ways with regards to your own loved ones and I am so sorry for any pain any of you have been or currently going

As many of our lovely friends who knew our Mum well and may remember, she wasn’t exactly what you would call a regular shul attender - apart from if she knew there was going to be a good shmaltz herring kiddush or more importantly to make sure she was there for Yizkor. 

She enjoyed a really good shmooze in shul and when she did make her long awaited appearance in Vine Street she certainly didn’t disappoint the crowd, and made the service entertaining for all those sat around her. 

There was no official fixed seating in Vine Street shul but there was always an unspoken seat whenever she arrived, next to some  really special women who had mutually supported each other through some of their shared unforgettable life experiences.

She taught me through observing her quiet unassuming actions, the value, relevance and importance of Yizkor and also of being part of a community - the essential role each individual plays , however small or tiny a cog,  in keeping a good healthy and strong community running smoothly. 

The ripple effect of her teaching of all her many beloved girls over many,many years has reached no limits and it’s effects are felt and are still going even today.

I carry those life lessons she taught with me daily and try and put them in my own small way into practice as best as I can.

I have been thinking over the last few weeks what I could do, to honor her memory in this regard.

I have been a medical Doctor for almost 25 years  and thankfully I personally have not required attendance of any emergency-services on my behalf until this recent Corona virus. I am so blessed that myself and my family are recovering and doing well and I wish you all, and your families only good health and happiness. 

I have discovered over the last few weeks, ( and I must apologise to my entire family from this regard ) that I make an incredibly stubborn patient, who is super strong minded, not so great at asking for help, or resting, and I think when I am completely better I will just stick to the doctoring. My idea of resting is not what I would be advising any of my own patients but I am trying. 

 In all seriousness I cannot emphasize too strongly, what wonderful work the team of volunteers from Hatzola of Edgware (which now includes Stanmore and Millhill ) are doing for our community. The swift, kind, professional, empathetic and dignified approach I received from their incredible volunteers was truly humbling. Hatzola is an amazing global organisation but Hatzola in our local community still need vital funds, literally now, to buy a much needed additional Ambulance to assist them with their already extremely busy stretched service . None of us know when we may be requiring to make that call to them to help us in our time of need and believe me they will come running in at least 5 fold without questions. They just want to know where you live. You need their help and within 5 minutes they will be there - beyond incredible.

So what better way can there be to honor our Mum z”l’s name in these unusual times than to give Tsedaka in her honor. Please help me and contribute to the essential funds that Hatzola Edgware  need to reach their goal to purchase an Ambulance.

Please give as little or as much as you are able.

Every little bit counts and please feel free to share or add to my post to ensure my Mum’s memory is truly blessed and honoured with some anecdotes,a few words, happy memories or even photos of her to really help us celebrate the lifetime of one amazing woman our Mum z”l.

Thank you friends and may we only know שמחות.

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