In late 2019, I was honored by our temple’s Executive Director to meet with Rabbi Merle E. Singer and his wife, Myra, of blessed memory, to embark on a rabbinical support role.
Within moments, Rabbi and I discovered shared connections despite our generational differences. We spoke about my adoption story and his experiences on the subject, our similar childhood reading challenges and coping with learning disabilities, and our shared love for Torah, writing, and hopeful optimism. From that day forward, my role as his rabbinical assistant began with genuine purpose and care.
For years, Rabbi and I met in person, spending countless hours together exploring Torah portions and revisiting older sermons to reflect on their relevance today. We worked side by side to shape his words into articles, reflections, and new sermons. Over time, we also gathered his wisdom, drawn from his life in the rabbinate as well as his challenges and triumphs with Parkinson’s Disease into collections of motivational quotes that continue to inspire hope. Rabbi’s unwavering encouragement and belief in me were instrumental in my decision to pursue a doctorate in education, further deepening my love for studying, writing, and learning
Now, even while working remotely, my dedication to Rabbi remains unwavering. Together, we continue our rhythm, whether reviewing sermons, shaping new reflections, or simply sharing moments of joy through music. Rabbi still sings ballads with remarkable clarity which can awe any audience. Even at a distance, when a familiar song plays, we sing together, capturing the kind of small, profound moment that sustain us both. As Rabbi and I often say, our journey feels like a newer version of Tuesdays with Morrie: on some days, I help him compose a piece; on others, I am the student, learning from his brilliance.
To serve as Rabbi’s assistant, whether in person or remotely, remains one of the greatest honors of my life. I am deeply grateful to those who entrusted me with this role and for the privilege of walking alongside Rabbi, a teacher, mentor, and true inspiration.
Mindfully curated by Debra Gudema for Well&Co.
📸: Debra Gudema