Regarding “Remembering Grace Rosenzweig,” (May 9, 2019) anyone who grew up in Woodmere and The Young Israel of Woodmere in the 1960s and 1970s certainly remembers Barbara’s mother and father. As I read the beautiful article that captured both her mother and father’s essence and personalities, I reflected on those years in Woodmere. From the years when Rabbi Binyamin Kaminetsky, z”l, looked to start an Orthodox shul thru the rabbinic leadership of Rabbi Shaya Lebor, z”l, it is now wonderful to see the growth of Woodmere over the decades.

I now see why our mothers and fathers were good friends. There were so many similarities in our parents’ “journey.” My mother and father met at the Pioneer Hotel, before my father went to serve in WW II. It wasn’t a Jewish singles dance (my grandparents wanted to “fatten him up”). It was Barbara’s mother who got my mother involved in both shul and AMIT activities. Although we attended different schools (I went to the “other” school Hillel, now HAFTR), my mother got involved in the PTA (probably to insure that her tatala and only child would be well taken care of).

They were very much alike. They both came from “not yet” religious backgrounds, but life in Woodmere certainly helped their religious growth. At my mother’s hesped, 13 years ago, she was described as a “real lady.” That also describes Barbara’s mother. An identical trait of our fathers was the exemplary care they gave their wives, throughout their end -of-life illnesses. I know that her family will continue to keep the wonderful memories.

I hope the Jewish Link will continue to periodically have an “Appreciations” article. It is meaningful to remember and learn from the actions of those who were instrumental in the growth of Jewish communities.