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"We love you for who you are, for what you mean to our family, for your friendship, your kindness, your caring, and just being Rabbi Weissberg, my Rabbi my whole life and our family's Rabbi..."

The Wolken Family

We go back quite a way with you -- back to somewhere around 1956-58 -- my guess would be '58. We lived on Albany Ave and my family joined Temple Beth-el on Touhy. Memories can be fickle, but I remember you bringing me home from Temple, not sure what year, whether it was Hebrew school or Sunday school -- but certainly it was before my family moved to Coyle Ave in 1960/61 (memory lapse again?)

So, how many Rabbi's drove their congregants to and from school? You were a pretty good service I guess. But that was just the beginning; then came the Bar Mitzvah Pilgrimage to Israel -- I went along with a number of fellow Hebrew school student friends and we had a great experience with you as our chaperone. I know you mention many times the small gift I gave you for all you did for me on the trip to Israel. Do you still have it?

I dare say that I left out my bar Mitzvah service which came before the Israel trip -- maybe I wanted to forget the speech part -- here is why -- you were the best Bar Mitzvah speech writer of all time -- you assisted me in creating a most interesting speech and the worst part was that you insisted that I memorize it. Well, in the middle of my speech I drew a blank -- and boy, was I embarrassed. I found my place after asking everyone to "wait a minute" and then in the receiving line afterwards, my next store neighbor told me what a wonderful speech it was.

You have always been there for my family, in good times as well as sad times. You presided at my sister's 1st wedding and I think you had a bit of a tiff with the photographer as I recall since he wanted to be in on the action -- this is something you were known for -- it was your right to preside over a solemn service and any interference from videographers/photographers was your domain and we did not blame you one bit.

I was sorry that you were not at my wedding in Baltimore in 1974, but it was Cindy's rabbi who did a very nice job -- but it was not the same.

I forgot one very important thing, at my Bar Mitzvah, your blessing moved me -- I remember to this day and every time you say the same prayers and put your arms out and spread your fingers like Spock, I am touched. That has been and always will be very special -- it is a gift that you have to make people feel special.

The next major family issues was the unfortunate passing of my mom. You had visited her in the hospital the day before she passed -- and I don't know if you know this, mom got all made up for your visit just for you. And then the eulogy you gave at Weinstein's was incredible -- you know how to express someone's life in the nicest and most positive, flattering ways.

There are so many other memories I will try and just mention them briefly; son Ross's Bar Mitzvah which you were good enough to arrange at the Touhy Synagogue even after temple had moved to NB, just so my son could be Bar Mitzvah in the same temple by the same Rabbi as his dad. What a very special day -- I am still moved by that experience as is Ross.

You presided over the twins Bar Mitzvah as well at the new Temple and it was another wonderful experience. Most recently you were there for our family when my Uncle Irv passed away last year. The short service in the mausoleum at Memorial Park was well said for this very nice man that taught me to drive and to bowl among other things.

Rabbi, when I think of you, I think of GOOD things, of being Positive and loving life. I think of being Jewish and all that you taught us over the years. I think of a man of strong convictions as your sermons reflected.

We love you for who you are, for what you mean to our family, for your friendship, your kindness, your caring, and just being Rabbi Weissberg, my Rabbi my whole life and our family's Rabbi.

Thank you for all.