Surri & Joe Rapaport
Midge is both difficult and easy to write about. Difficult because the paper is obscured by the tears in my eyes and easy, because there is so much good on which to focus: her upbeat personality, her good humor, her never-ending acts of chesed, and her intelligence to name but a few. But I would like to concentrate on Midge’s courage and determination.
In 1988, Yeshiva University presented a three part lecture series on Torah U’Maada (Torah and Science) the focus of which what courses and disciplines were permitted to a Yeshiva student. One of the lecturers was Rav Aharon Soloveitchik, my junior year rebbe at Yeshiva College.
Rav Aron entered and took a seat on the stage of a packed Lamport Auditorium at Yeshiva College. I was shocked by his appearance. One of his arms gesticulated wildly as it constantly jerked up and down. Prior to speaking, Rav Aron grasped the jolting arm and locked it between his two thighs so that it could not move. I later was appraised that the arm was a resultant effect of a stroke that had been suffered by Rav Aron. Rav Aron could have hidden in his residence, but no, he pushed himself, assuming a giant role in Jewish affairs.
So too with Midge Kra. She was seriously ill. Yet she physically cared for others. Midge and David were integral members of our Navi study group. Often Midge lacked sensation in her extremities. Some nights, she could barely walk, yet she willed herself to attend our study sessions. And how we admired her for that courage and determination.
The Kra children, Abby, Yoni, and Donny, all live in Israel together will their own children, Midge and David’s grandchildren. The rigor of visiting Israel with equivalent medical issues would daunt a lesser human being, but not Midge. Her determination, her courage, her love for her children and grandchildren propelled her over oceans and continents to be with her family.
And so it was, that on 10 Cheshvan, 5774, Hashem requested Miriam Libah’s eternal presence. Midge died in her sleep, having spent nearly 2 months with her children and grandchildren.
It is not only her family that mourns her, but also her friends also who feel the pain. The West Orange community is poorer by her passing.
Hashem is Miriam Liba bat Lieb Moshe’s heritage, and may she repose in peace on her resting place.
Midge is both difficult and easy to write about. Difficult because the paper is obscured by the tears in my eyes and easy, because there is so much good on which to focus: her upbeat personality, her good humor, her never-ending acts of chesed, and her intelligence to name but a few. But I would like to concentrate on Midge’s courage and determination.
In 1988, Yeshiva University presented a three part lecture series on Torah U’Maada (Torah and Science) the focus of which what courses and disciplines were permitted to a Yeshiva student. One of the lecturers was Rav Aharon Soloveitchik, my junior year rebbe at Yeshiva College.
Rav Aron entered and took a seat on the stage of a packed Lamport Auditorium at Yeshiva College. I was shocked by his appearance. One of his arms gesticulated wildly as it constantly jerked up and down. Prior to speaking, Rav Aron grasped the jolting arm and locked it between his two thighs so that it could not move. I later was appraised that the arm was a resultant effect of a stroke that had been suffered by Rav Aron. Rav Aron could have hidden in his residence, but no, he pushed himself, assuming a giant role in Jewish affairs.
So too with Midge Kra. She was seriously ill. Yet she physically cared for others. Midge and David were integral members of our Navi study group. Often Midge lacked sensation in her extremities. Some nights, she could barely walk, yet she willed herself to attend our study sessions. And how we admired her for that courage and determination.
The Kra children, Abby, Yoni, and Donny, all live in Israel together will their own children, Midge and David’s grandchildren. The rigor of visiting Israel with equivalent medical issues would daunt a lesser human being, but not Midge. Her determination, her courage, her love for her children and grandchildren propelled her over oceans and continents to be with her family.
And so it was, that on 10 Cheshvan, 5774, Hashem requested Miriam Libah’s eternal presence. Midge died in her sleep, having spent nearly 2 months with her children and grandchildren.
It is not only her family that mourns her, but also her friends also who feel the pain. The West Orange community is poorer by her passing.
Hashem is Miriam Liba bat Lieb Moshe’s heritage, and may she repose in peace on her resting place.