From the early days of their marriage, going to the symphony was part of David and Rachel’s dedicated “date night” routine. For David, the symphony was a respite in the midst of life, and for Rachel, it was the fun of being with David no matter what they did together. While sitting unfettered, with the music and each other, their relationship deepened.
Twenty years after their first symphony night, David died. In her mourning, Rachel faced a common grief-conundrum. What do any of us do with an activity that meant so much with the one we loved? What should she do with their season tickets? In talking with Rachel, we suggested that the symphony was a part of Rachel’s spiritual life with David. It was their liturgy.
When David died, Rachel turned to the Healing Center to nourish her through her grief. From her first call, to sitting with our Rabbi, to participating in a grief group and then in our Grief and Growing Weekend, Rachel’s grief journey is one of so many we’ve been honored to witness. Though we never knew David, we met him in Rachel’s grief.
Rachel kept the season tickets to keep a place for her spiritual life. For others, music might be replaced by a beautiful hike, watching a beloved sports team, or celebrating a holiday.
At Bay Area Jewish Healing Center, we feel that the core Jewish identity attribute going into the next century is how we are in community and how we deepen relationships. Similar to Rachel and David’s care for one another, we all have the potential to explore and nourish the ways we care for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for the world around us.