I just wanted to let you know your congregation is in my thoughts. There was a note from Aleph this morning with information about the funeral. I’m so glad this is being shared this way. Rabbi Hirshfield’s death is a huge loss to the renewal community and to the world. I spoke with Rabbi Simon yesterday and he shared some of his thoughts about Rabbi Hirshfield with me – they were ordained by Reb Zalman in the same year.
With love,Ma’ayanaמו
I am so very sorry about your loss, it’s almost impossible to put into words.I send my love, my tears, my heart, my sorrow and my condolences to your communityon this huge and traumatic loss. May your rabbi’s memory be forever for a blessing, and may you and the entire communitywhich he touched, be comforted
Amy
I was so deeply saddened to hear of the tragic and untimely death of Rabbi Aryeh Hirschfield. May his family, and community find comfort from the Holy One after this giant loss, and may your memories of him be a blessing.
L’shalom,
From Susan:
ohmygod this is so terrible… what a loss… tragedy… My heart is with you and all at P’nai Or — and all in the Renewal Community — and all who never had the joy/privilege amazement of his presence…
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and guide. I didn’t even know him, but I feel his loss as well. I can only imagine the void you feel and that is felt in the community. My deepest love to you. I’m so sorry.
I’m so sorry to hear of your great loss. A spiritual friend and mentor is a rare and priceless gift from the divine. My heart goes out to you and his family for your sadness. May the seeds of wisdom and love planted by the good rabbi bloom in your lives and bring comfort to many.
Kenneth
It sounds as though Rav Aryeh was a truly phenomenal human being and that his life touched many many souls. The early death of such a person is often totally bewildering and disturbing. I am so sorry for this loss, for all of his family, his congregants and his friends.
I am sending prayers and blessings for healing.
May we all merit to see and become such tzaddikim
For so many ~ those who are now mourners
Reb Aryeh opened our hearts with his music and the deep wisdom of his soul.
He opened his heart to hold our tears.
The time came
Though we had no warning
As he swam in G!d’s Great Water
Our Ocean of Tears filled him and
Reb Aryeh ascended on the wings of an eagle
To The Great Light
Perhaps to redeem our sorrows and flaws
Perhaps to help bring the Great Peace
For which we all long.
I pray that G!d holds him now
Through water and fire
And that his beloved family finds comfort.
May those he held do everything we can now
To hold his family.
Not even death can come between us.
May we sing Reb Aryeh’s songs
Continue his work and
Live at the height of his depth.
With Love from Raziel Eisen
Written at 36,000 ft. on January 9, 2009
I met Reb Aryeh in 1997 during the High Holiday services at the JCC in Portland. I had been searching for myself as a Jewish woman and to find a spiritual leader. After those services I no longer was searching. I had found my leader and myself in Jewish Renewal. What a wonderful time I had in P’Nai Or. For all of the holidays I made flower arrangements and delighted in sharing them with everyone. Before I left Portland at the end of 1999 I bought two of his CD’s and I have played them over and over again. I live in North Carolina now and on the last day of Passover received a call from an old friend in Portland who had lost track of me. She told me of Aryeh’s passing and since that time I have been constantly thinking of him and his family. I recently did a dance performance piece to Aryeh’s song Shalom and I am committed to keeping his music alive and sharing it with as many people as I can. Beth, if you read this…. I wish I could be there to give you a big hug and tell you how sorry I am. I will alway remember Reb Aryeh and all of the great jam sessions. Shalom
I met Rabbi Hirshfield but a few times–most often at interfaith events or meetings–and I consider it my very good fortune to have made his acquaintance. The most singular meeting for me was at the Briss (my first) of his sons. He had invited Imam Mikal Shabazz and his wife, Sharifa, and a guest of his choosing: Imam Shabazz asked me to accompany Sharifa and him, so my invitation was rather indirect. Nevertheless, I felt deeply honored that the Imam would ask me, and deeply moved at the spiritual depth of the ceremony–what little I could perceive of it, that is.
I shall never forget that day or the holy, sacred, and mystical experience; it was indelibly impressed deep within my heart.
I pray all blessings for the Soul of Rabbi Aryeh Hirshfield and long life and health for his family.
The following time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to learn, but I really thought youd have one thing interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you might repair if you happen to werent too busy searching for attention.
Remembering Rabbi Aryeh Hirschfield
January 10, 2009 at 8:00 am
I just wanted to let you know your congregation is in my thoughts. There was a note from Aleph this morning with information about the funeral. I’m so glad this is being shared this way. Rabbi Hirshfield’s death is a huge loss to the renewal community and to the world. I spoke with Rabbi Simon yesterday and he shared some of his thoughts about Rabbi Hirshfield with me – they were ordained by Reb Zalman in the same year.
With love,Ma’ayanaמו
January 10, 2009 at 8:01 am
I am so very sorry about your loss, it’s almost impossible to put into words.I send my love, my tears, my heart, my sorrow and my condolences to your communityon this huge and traumatic loss. May your rabbi’s memory be forever for a blessing, and may you and the entire communitywhich he touched, be comforted
Amy
January 10, 2009 at 8:02 am
What a tremendous blow to lose someone so dynamic and such a rock for the community. I will hold all in my heart.
Much love,
Kalama
January 10, 2009 at 8:03 am
I was so sorry to hear about the death of your friend and Rabbi- my heart goes out to his family and all who loved him.
Leslie
January 10, 2009 at 8:06 am
you and all of yours are within my heart-filled prayers …………. lovepeace………..joel
January 10, 2009 at 8:07 am
My thoughts are you with your community as you deal with this terrible loss.
All the best
Ketzirah
January 10, 2009 at 8:08 am
My heart goes out to his family, and the congregation. Sending lots of love and support.
xoxo, Bren
January 10, 2009 at 8:10 am
I was so deeply saddened to hear of the tragic and untimely death of Rabbi Aryeh Hirschfield. May his family, and community find comfort from the Holy One after this giant loss, and may your memories of him be a blessing.
L’shalom,
Jill
January 10, 2009 at 8:13 am
From Susan:
ohmygod this is so terrible… what a loss… tragedy… My heart is with you and all at P’nai Or — and all in the Renewal Community — and all who never had the joy/privilege amazement of his presence…
January 10, 2009 at 8:14 am
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and guide. I didn’t even know him, but I feel his loss as well. I can only imagine the void you feel and that is felt in the community. My deepest love to you. I’m so sorry.
joanne
January 10, 2009 at 8:15 am
I’m so sorry to hear of your great loss. A spiritual friend and mentor is a rare and priceless gift from the divine. My heart goes out to you and his family for your sadness. May the seeds of wisdom and love planted by the good rabbi bloom in your lives and bring comfort to many.
Kenneth
January 10, 2009 at 8:18 am
It sounds as though Rav Aryeh was a truly phenomenal human being and that his life touched many many souls. The early death of such a person is often totally bewildering and disturbing. I am so sorry for this loss, for all of his family, his congregants and his friends.
I am sending prayers and blessings for healing.
May we all merit to see and become such tzaddikim
Sarah Bracha
February 5, 2009 at 1:13 am
A Tribute to Reb Aryeh
For so many ~ those who are now mourners
Reb Aryeh opened our hearts with his music and the deep wisdom of his soul.
He opened his heart to hold our tears.
The time came
Though we had no warning
As he swam in G!d’s Great Water
Our Ocean of Tears filled him and
Reb Aryeh ascended on the wings of an eagle
To The Great Light
Perhaps to redeem our sorrows and flaws
Perhaps to help bring the Great Peace
For which we all long.
I pray that G!d holds him now
Through water and fire
And that his beloved family finds comfort.
May those he held do everything we can now
To hold his family.
Not even death can come between us.
May we sing Reb Aryeh’s songs
Continue his work and
Live at the height of his depth.
With Love from Raziel Eisen
Written at 36,000 ft. on January 9, 2009
May 22, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I met Reb Aryeh in 1997 during the High Holiday services at the JCC in Portland. I had been searching for myself as a Jewish woman and to find a spiritual leader. After those services I no longer was searching. I had found my leader and myself in Jewish Renewal. What a wonderful time I had in P’Nai Or. For all of the holidays I made flower arrangements and delighted in sharing them with everyone. Before I left Portland at the end of 1999 I bought two of his CD’s and I have played them over and over again. I live in North Carolina now and on the last day of Passover received a call from an old friend in Portland who had lost track of me. She told me of Aryeh’s passing and since that time I have been constantly thinking of him and his family. I recently did a dance performance piece to Aryeh’s song Shalom and I am committed to keeping his music alive and sharing it with as many people as I can. Beth, if you read this…. I wish I could be there to give you a big hug and tell you how sorry I am. I will alway remember Reb Aryeh and all of the great jam sessions. Shalom
May 16, 2010 at 7:59 am
I met Rabbi Hirshfield but a few times–most often at interfaith events or meetings–and I consider it my very good fortune to have made his acquaintance. The most singular meeting for me was at the Briss (my first) of his sons. He had invited Imam Mikal Shabazz and his wife, Sharifa, and a guest of his choosing: Imam Shabazz asked me to accompany Sharifa and him, so my invitation was rather indirect. Nevertheless, I felt deeply honored that the Imam would ask me, and deeply moved at the spiritual depth of the ceremony–what little I could perceive of it, that is.
I shall never forget that day or the holy, sacred, and mystical experience; it was indelibly impressed deep within my heart.
I pray all blessings for the Soul of Rabbi Aryeh Hirshfield and long life and health for his family.
From the Heart,
Musa
February 12, 2011 at 11:54 pm
The following time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to learn, but I really thought youd have one thing interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you might repair if you happen to werent too busy searching for attention.