High-Holiday Letter From Anne/Nechama Segal, Joseph and Nathan's Mom:

Dear Members of Shabbos Shul:

A flood of memories engulfed me when I noticed that Rabbi Nathan was writing his Shabbos Shul bulletin for the High Holy Days. It made me give thought to how many bulletins I had worked on and written years past for our former congregations.

We will soon be ushering in the New Year of  5672 there is so much to pray for, not only for our own personal well being and those of our loved ones. Our country, and its leaders. 

It was 55 years ago that the Holocaust took place, the world was silent then. As of today and the past ten months our beloved land of Israel is facing a battle for its survival. Yasser Arafat was handed our Holy Places and Land by our former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and yet he opted for war, terrorism pain and suffering for both our people and the Palestinians.. The Arabs have 99% of the land in the Middle East, and yet this one percent that we call home they covet that also. Arafat’s intent is to tear Israel down both physically and morally. International propaganda, biased press and the injustices perpetrated against our people and land needs to be addressed by each of us and what will we tell our grandchildren when they ask, “What did you do when there was a turning point in Israel destiny?” We must be aware of the problems that are confronting us, and not sit idly by..

From all sides you hear so much about settlements and how they are an obstacle to peace and you don’t hear that the Arabs have built 26l settlements in the West Bank since 1967. By comparison there are only 144 Jewish settlement built since l967, including those surrounding Jerusalem, the West Bank and in Gaza. You are not told that the Arabs who live in Israel have the highest paid earnings in the Middle East, the best baby clinics and hospital care and better standard of living. With all the land that the Arabs have

not one of them (except for Jordan) will allow any Palestinians to come and live amongst them that includes Saudi Arabia, Syria, Kuwait etc  

Our people, synagogues and organizations have a great task before them and it is of utmost importance that we come together and speak in one voice against the injustices and slander that are being made against Israel. We must remember that in unity there is strength and working together for our just cause will bring us closer together and enable us to achieve what at this time seems to be impossible. But we must achieve PEACE and only by all of us working together in unity will we be blessed with a just victory..

On a personal note I would like to share with you what these 8 months have meant for me, and the experiences that I have had. When the head of our household Rabbi Segal went on to his eternal rest in July 2000. The adjustments for our entire family were very numerous.  The Rabbinical Organization in Jerusalem honored his memory and to a filled auditorium with not even any space to stand, many rabbis spoke, it was my/our Nathan who captured the hearts of all in attendance with his memories of his father, chanting his melodies and reciting his poetry. .   

My beloved sons felt it was time that I had a change of space and pace and that I should join them for three months of their stay in Hawaii. In the San Francisco airport with our luggage checked in and on our way to the plane, Nathan walking in front of me pushing Joe in his wheel chair and I was trailing behind, how I took wings and went up into the air and came down with a bang, is still beyond me. I was taken to the hospital where two of the finest orthopedic surgeons worked on putting my leg together. Dr. Dirk Diefendorf and Dr. Stephen S. Hurst are not only most capable but considerate, compassionate true “Mavens”,. Dr. Diefendorf was at my bedside helping me through the first difficult days and told me he was going away and his partner Dr. Hurst would be in to see me. The following morning I was intent on my praying, when I heard a voice and looking up there stood Dr. Hurst, he introduced himself to me and I asked him if he spelled his name the way it is spelled on my Siddur and with that I showed him the cover. He told me that his name is spelled HURST. A bell went off in my head and looking at him I inquired,” can I please ask you a personal question?” Before he could respond I said: “Were you born in East Chicago, when he nodded his head in disbelief, I went on and said, “Your father of blessed memory was Lloyd and your mother of blessed memory was Lynn, and you have two brothers David and Allen?” He inquired as to how I knew all that and I responded that my late husband was the rabbi of your community forty five years ago and it was your beloved parents who were at Mayo Clinic when my husband was Chaplain there and they were instrumental in bringing us to the Harbor. Both Drs. Diefendorf and Hurst gave me excellent care and I am grateful to them.

 Now the problem was the holiday season was upon us and getting a seat on a plane to Hawaii was next to impossible. Dr. Hurst stated that I could only fly if I had a bulk seat and of course a bulk seat was also needed for Joe. Natan phoned the airlines many times each day and   the answer was always “all booked.” .One day when Nathan phoned he got the same answer, that they were filled to capacity and while he was on the line with the ticket agent, he said: “We just got a cancellation and it is for three people and it is in bulk seats, do you want them?”. The Almighty certainly does work in mysterious ways and does answer our prayers. 

I can fill a book on describing Nathan’s care and concern for both Joe and me. I have to admit I wasn’t the easiest of patients and Nathan never ran out of patience. He did everything in his power to keep me comfortable, eating the right foods, vitamins and when it was time to start exercising he was right there. Interesting when the therapist came to our house he was amazed to see poles that Nathan installed for Joe and me, he had never seen them before. Nathan can even teach therapists. He sang, told cheerful stories, joked laughed and gave us radiant smiles. Not only did he make time for us but whoever called upon him he was ready to help at all hours of the day or night. I never ceased to be amazed of the gifts that Hashem has blessed Nathan with and he uses them to benefit all that call upon him He is truly a blessing to us and to all who call upon him..

It has been 14 long and difficult years for our Joe, yet his Bituchon (trust) in the Almighty continues to be strong. . Wisdom and insight flow from him, his radiant smile brightens the lives of all that come in contact with him, His great sense of humor and play on words are a delight to our ears and balm to our very being, bringing forth joyous laughter.  Joe looks forward to the day that his magnificent voice will again be able to sing praises to the Almighty and that he will walk amongst us spreading his love of Hashem and the miracle that HE has wrought.

 I do confess I am one proud mother and a most grateful one. It is stated in the Ethics of the Fathers “Who is rich?” It is one who is grateful for his lot in life and the blessings bestowed upon him.

Life in Maui would be lovely but it does take time for old bones to heal. I do appreciate the beauty of the Almighty’s beautiful sunrises and sunsets and the magnificence of Hashems gardens, their magnitudes of designs and beauty.

My prayers are with our Shabbos Shul members that Hashem inscribe you all in the Book of Life and may you be blessed bountifully with good health, happiness and Peace in Israel and for all of Hashems people the world over.   Shalom

  Anne/Nechama Segal

For more information: Jerusalem is mentioned over 700 times in Tanach, our Holy Scriptures. Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Koran. Jews pray facing Jerusalem. Muslims pray with their backs toward Jerusalem.  

For more information Check out Joseph Farah Christian Arab who writes a daily column on WorldNetDaily, read his fact finding reports on the Israel-Palestinian problems.Also check on his column called “Myths of the Middle East.” Another interesting and fact article is, What Do the Arabs know that has escaped the Rest of the World? That information can be gotten email,  rrosenthal@ricardomeda.com  If at any time I can be of help regarding our beloved Israel, my email address nechamasegal@yahoo.com