Barrie Jacob
When Midge and I were both little more than new brides, we lived in the apartments on Terrace Circle, in Teaneck. There a remarkable community of young, inspired women organized a parsha learning group where each prepared and presented one Aliyah to the group, while the rest of us nursed our babies, rested our pregnant bodies, or jotted notes. It was grass-roots dveikut.
I also learned with Midge (and Murray) many years later, probably for the duration of about a year. While her health had definitely declined, Midge's enthusiasm for Torah, and her sharp intellect were very much present, and it was a delight to be so warmly welcomed to her home whenever I showed up.
She had a very special spark, and we miss her.
Simon and Yitzi designed a chuppah to be used at all the Jacob Family weddings. As part of the design, stars embroidered with the names of each bride and groom would be stitched onto the canopy to serve as an artistic family record.
My hand embroidery was far from proficient, so my good friend, Midge, gladly took on the task with her fancy, computerized sewing machine. It was a testament to her love and caring, as much as to her intelligence in figuring out how to program that beast. And there are Midge's stars to this day, twinkling brightly over each new couple on their wedding day.