This is going to be a difficult message, but an important one.
This past week, I have been virtually following the story of Sam Sommer, an 8-year-old boy who died of Leukemia this past Shabbat. A loss of a child is an unspeakable thing. And yet, somehow, Sam’s parents, Rabbis Phyllis and Michael Sommer have been painfully and honestly sharing their journey through this horrible, unimaginable, tragedy with thousands of followers of their blog, ” Superman Sam,” for the past 18 months.
Much discussion has been posted over the internet about using social media in this way. Rabbi Rebecca Sirbu, wrote an interesting piece on the meaning behind this type of sharing and the powerful way in which this tragedy played out- which you can read by clicking here.
Sam’s illness and death have also inspired a nationwide movement of rabbis who are dedicating themselves to raising money for childhood cancer research. Two weeks before Sam died, colleagues of Sam’s parents spearheaded an effort to recruit thirty-six Reform rabbis to shave their heads to bring attention to the fact that only 4% of federal funding for cancer research is earmarked for childhood cancers. Their goal was to raise $180,000 for this research and bring some much needed national attention to this issue. They have inspired 65 (to date) rabbis across the denominations and across the country to raise funds, and their campaign will culminate in a communal head shaving event on March 31st. I invite you to consider donating by clicking here:
On the day that her son died, Rabbi Phyllis Sommer wrote the following raw and painful blog post. It was impossible to read without crying. I did not know Sam or his parents, but their openness and honesty through this painful journey has inspired me to hold my children closer, count my blessings, and make a small, infinitesimal difference by making a donation in the hopes that even one parent be spared this heartache. Yehe Zichrono Barukh– May Superman Sam’s memory be for a blessing.
To read more about Sam’s Story, click on the following article:
More than 1000 Turn Out For 8 Year Old’s Funeral
Please look for my next Tuesday Morning Torah on January 7th.