George's Introduction of Helene Frankel as the Woman of Valor at BSKI 10/11/09

I have been given the distinct honor to give the introduction to someone who needs no introduction ...well to me anyway... Next week we will have been married 14 years. God willing many more YEARS to come. Providing we grow old, gray and more forgetful together, I should say SHE NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION TO....TO ME...YET.

It is safe to say that being introduced to her has changed my life profoundly for the better. I trust that her spirit has had a similar effect on our community here as well.

Her bookstore for 23 years, fostered a sense of community, and a desire to make this world a better place...a kind of Tikun Olam.(repair of the world)
She did not invent the internet, but she did invent Claytonfest complete with bumper stickers, tee shirts, a downtown parade, bands, out door movies in Shaw park and fireworks. The community is better for it, and although Claytonfest has faded many of its features endure to this day.

Her charitable giving is largely based in Tikun Olam.

Her volunteering for committees and organizations, and being on the boards of Healing Touch St. Louis and The Gateway chapter of The Association of Couples in Marriage Enrichment,
give our community at large, strength.
Her being on the B.S.K.I. education committee, and Founding the monthly Torah Talks, demonstrate a theme of building a better world,
starting with our own community.

So I present to you, my inspiration, my social planner, the love of my life,
Her value is far above rubies*, and pearls,* AND she looks super fine in purple linen*..
.
Helene Frankel.

*references to the poem inspiring this Eshet Chaiyil (Woman of Valor) honor.

Helene:
Like Barack Obama I was surprised to be offered this honor. There are so many people who do so much more than I to enrich this synagogue. When I learned that Larry and Jonathon were also being honored, I thought that this was perfect: The Torah Trio. Jonathon who seems to effortlessly chant the vowel-less Torah and understands what he is reading.    Larry, who lifts and opens the Torah to reveal 9 columns, making it seem light even when it is so off balance in Genesis and Deuteronomy.   Then there is me, who searches to understand and interpret our holy text to find the possible meanings hidden behind the literal words.

How did Torah study become my passion? Are some people born with a gene that makes them more religiously or spiritually inclined? I remember lying in bed, probably not more than 5 years old, wondering how I could know if there was a G-d without dying and upsetting my parents. When I was 7, my mother met Rabbi Lipnick and the next thing I knew I was in Hebrew School in their second year of classes that included girls. My Bat Mitzvah speech, all 4 sentences, talked about the importance of educating women so we could teach the children and carry on the religion.

More importantly was a promise I made to myself one Rosh Hashanah sometime around my college years that I would study my Judaism before I considered switching to a different religion. This was the early 70s, when we were discovering other philosophies, cultures, mind expanding awarenesses. I guess I made my choice.  I am still studying my Judaism.

As I was going thru my turning 40, midlife crisis, I didn't want a sports car; I wanted to become a rabbi. However, I have such a bad memory, I couldn't remember the difference between Shavous and Sukkos, let alone all the halacha and 3000 years of commentary. I realized what I really liked to do was study with a roomful of Jews; it doesn't get more stimulating or raucous than that. Going to classes and lectures became my hobby.

In 1994 I was walking home when I encountered Rabbi Miller. I had just decided to close my store, Page One, to focus on my soon to be new career as wife of George. Rabbi Miller was one of the first people that I told and he responded “what do you plan to do?” I had not thought that far ahead yet, but I heard myself saying that I would attend Shabbat services.  I had worked most Saturdays for 23 years; that was my favorite day in the store. I have kept that promise even when we traveled and it wasn't easy.  Bless George for all those out of the way shuls he found while we were sales reps in 6 states.

Finally, there was the night we met here in the sanctuary to discuss B'nai Amoona's suggestion of a possible merger. Paula Hamvas said we all had to put in our time and energy to make this shul what we wanted it to be.  I wanted more adult education. I also wanted to talk to someone about the Torah portion I read every week. There was much to question, get upset about, find totally incomprehensible. Every few years I would buy a different Chumash with new commentary. I realized if I wanted to discuss Torah at BSKI, I would have to start a group. That was 2004; we have been meeting monthly for 5 years. In that time we have developed a safe place for people to share their ideas, questions, opinions as we try to make these ancient words relevant to our contemporary lives. We don't need to agree, but we do respect each person's interpretations. No one is right or wrong, for we are all on our own path to find the meaning that fits our lives.

What is it about Torah study that appeals to me so much? Talmud says the world is based on 3 things: Torah, Tefilah, and Tzedaka or study, prayer and mitzvot. Each path can lead to a righteous life, to a sense of something greater than oneself. Torah study is a different kind of prayer, a way to draw closer, my offering to G-d. I hope my questions and insights are as pleasing to HaShem as the incense and sacrifices were in a different millennium. Rabbi Miller once said that when he had one of those AHA moments when studying, he felt closer to G-d, a holy moment. I know that feeling. Perhaps it is feeling connected to the 1000 generations of scholars, sages, rabbis, and ordinary folks that have puzzled over the same words, trying to resolve the contradictions, the flaws of our ancestors, the irrational behavior of the early Hebrews and the mood swings of HaShem, to find relevance, beauty and a higher standard of ethics and behavior. These texts introduced a new way of believing, of facing the mysteries of life and death, and of living in community which has influenced our world for 3000 years. By studying our Torah, I see how great the Jewish religion can be. I feel my connection to my people, L'dor V'dor, not just back to the Old Country, but all the way back to Sinai.

Chezak, Chezak, Venischazeik! Be Strong! Be Strong! And may we continue to be strengthened as individuals and as a people by our continued study of Torah.!!!

I want to honor my ancestors and teachers, without them I would not be here today.  My grandparents who fled anti-Semitism to be free in America to safely practice their religion. My Grandmother Molasky whose chance meeting of Rabbi Mazur in the 30's brought our family to Brith Sholom, my father for his devotion to this shul and his Judaism, my mother who was fiercely proud of the Jewish people. To Mrs. Cytron, my first Hebrew teacher, Rabbi Lipnick, Rabbi Goodman and Rabbi Zimand who gave me the keys that opened  Torah for me, and all the people who have led and been in the many Torah studies I have attended.  Best of all, my sweet husband George who has lovingly and patiently supported me in my spiritual quest, even though he would much rather sleep late on Saturday morning.

Shalom and Hag Sameach.

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