Dear Friends,

One of the earliest stories I remember my grandmother telling me was of her family’s early life on the lower east side of Manhattan. She was one of 10 children, the oldest of whom was a girl named Rebecca Resnick who came over from Odessa and began working in the garment factories in NY. At the age of 12 she began working to earn enough money to bring the rest of the family over one at a time, which she eventually did. They all lived together in a three room flat. There was not much food, or room to sleep, but everyone was healthy and happy. One day, new members of the family came to New York and needed a place to stay for a few months. It was my grandmother’s uncle, Manny Bernstein, who was in the wig business, and his son Lenny, who played the piano. My grandmother loved to tell how uncle Manny would complain that his good for nothing son, all he wanted to do was sit and play the piano. That boy Lenny went on to become one of the most famous composers and conductors of all time, Leonard Bernstein. Later in life, my aunt Rebecca, the matriarch of our family, met her cousin Lenny a few times. She told me the stories of how they reminisced about the early days in their three room flat on the lower east side, and how many opportunities they had been afforded, here, in America. Both my grandmother and my aunt Becky always had a tear in their eye when they talked about cousin Lenny.

I tell you this story because you never know when a young person will take their passion for music to great heights. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what they will do with their talent or if they have the ambition to succeed all the way. In my time here at Temple Sinai I certainly have met some very talented young people who I believe have what it takes to ‘go all the way’ with their music. It has been such a great honor for me to work with members of Ruju and Ruach and the very talented people that make them a success. I will miss all of you very, very much! Thank you for giving the opportunity to glimpse greatness in what I consider to be the very top of the talent pool. You might not end up like my cousin Lenny, but I know that all of you will go on to be a smashing success.

B’shira,

Lisa Levine, Cantor