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The Memorial Candle Program has been designed to help offset the costs associated with the hosting this Tribute Website in perpetuity. Through the lighting of a memorial candle, your thoughtful gesture will be recorded in the Book of Memories and the proceeds will go directly towards helping ensure that the family and friends of Bernard Shapiro can continue to memorialize, re-visit, interact with each other and enhance this tribute for future generations.

Thank you.

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Bernard Shapiro
In Memory of
Bernard "Bernie"
Shapiro
1933 - 2016
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The lighting of a Memorial Candle not only provides a gesture of sympathy and support to the immediate family during their time of need but also provides the gift of extending the Book of Memories for future generations.

Memories of Bernie

Dear Yana, Mark, Stevi Ann, and Judy,

 

Our love for all of you from Jerusalem.

 

We know how difficult the past six years have been and how devoted your kids have been to you, Yana, and of course, to Bernie.  Family has always been important to you and you’ll all now have to continue to support each other.  

 

Most of my memories of the Shapiro family, center around family celebrations.  The B’not Mitzvah, extended family weddings, and your 25th wedding anniversary, which we celebrated with a remarriage in your back yard.  Because I had the honor of knowing so many relatives, I also joined with you when we mourned their loss. I loved your parents, Yana.

 

Bernie always impressed me.  He accepted all challenges in life and relished the opportunity to do something new and interesting.  I remember how hard he worked at the ice cream stand by the river.  I know how cherished he was by all his students and fellow faculty members.  I know what it meant to him to climb ANOTHER mountain, and I remember cheering him on for serval Boston Marathons.  He took so much pride in all he achieved.

 

Bernie was set in his ways, but was willing to change, if change was just.  I remember during Beth El’s discussions about women’s roles in the synagogue, how he resisted.  He was content with the status quo…UNTIL the year following Stevi Ann’s Bat Mitzvah celebration when she argued with him.  She valued the opportunity to read Torah at her Bat Mitzvah celebration, but could not understand why she couldn’t read Torah on the anniversary of her Bat Mitzvah a year later.  Bernie understood Stevi Ann’s desire and he became one of my strongest supporters in achieving egalitarian practices at Beth El after an eleven year process.

 

I always felt that Bernie respected me and appreciated what I wanted to achieve for Beth El.  He knew that I respected him and honored him for all of his accomplishments.

 

His memory will remain for a blessing for all those who knew him.

 

Marcia joins me in sending our love to all.

 

Jim

 

Rabbi Jim Lebeau

jimlebeau1@gmail.com

10 Israel Eldad Street Apt. 4 

Jerusalem 93399 ISRAEL

 

Posted by Jim Lebeau
Wednesday April 13, 2016 at 1:37 am
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