Henry Emerson Fosdick, a prominent and
outspoken 20th century American pastor, reminds us in what is now a
well-known essay about how the Seas of Israel can serve as metaphor for
living. You see, the Sea of Galilee in the north and
the Dead Sea at the far south are made of the same water. This water flows
down, clean and cool, from the heights of Mount Herman and the roots of the
cedars of Lebanon. The Sea of Galilee makes beauty of with these waters, while the Dead Sea makes nothing.
Why, we might wonder, is there such a
dramatic difference between these two seas that are both created by the Jordan
River? The Dead Sea is so far
below sea level that it has no outlet. The water flows in from the river
Jordan, but cannot flow out. The only
water that leaves is through evaporation from the desert climate leaving it
overly saturated with salt and minerals, so much so that it is unfit for life –
no fish, vegetation, flora or fauna.
Nothing grows in the Dead Sea; nothing lives in the Dead Sea.
In
stark contrast, the Galilee is resplendent with life. It is lush with plant life and over 20 types
of fish. The region is rich with flora
and fauna. Same water source: the Jordan
River. So what causes such a dramatic
difference? The River Jordan flows into
the Galilee, just as in the Dead Sea, but it also is allowed to flow out. Unlike the Dead Sea, it not only receives,
but it gives.
I’m not sure if Risa Joy ever had the
opportunity to visit Israel and its seas, but it is clear that even if
Risa never dipped her foot into the waters of the Galilee, she lived her life
like them. All of you who are here, to honor her memory,
to say farewell, and to support her family as they accompany her to her final
resting place are evidence of Risa’s generosity of spirit, her innate capacity
for joy, and her life affirming nature.
This is in part what makes today so
difficult. Those rules of justice that
we know are overly simplistic but that we hope to be true most of the time –
that good things happen to good people – have been shattered. Risa was among the best. This shouldn’t be happening. Yet it is.
That we are gathered today, that I stand on this pulpit eulogizing a
peer - a fellow parent, teacher, and friend - underscores a painful truth: that nature operates by its own laws and
not necessarily according to our expectations and hopes for justice. Risa
was given a terrible cancer diagnosis less than a year ago. The horror of the cancer she had – colon
cancer - was that it could thrive and grow without notice. She was asymptomatic until it had already
spread through her liver. There is no
changing that horrific reality or her untimely death; and, there is no satisfactory
explanation as to why this happened to such a wonderful and gracious human
being. It simply isn’t fair. Or, if I may borrow and paraphrase Risa’s
words, it sucks.
But, there are choices to be made in face
of even the most tragic circumstances such as this. We can remain bitter and unsettled, stewing
in a sea of negativity that leaves us stagnant, like the Dead Sea. Or, we can choose to remember what was good,
and there was plenty of it in Risa’s life, and allow that goodness to sustain,
enliven, and motivate us to model Risa’s generosity of spirit, to live like the
Galilee.
Born in August of 1961, Risa was the first
of three daughters born to Harriet and Dave.
Risa and her younger sisters, Karen and Bonnie had that special “three
sister club” bond. They each had their
unique roles – Risa was the smart one with the infectious laugh -- and they did
their fair share of fighting (they were sisters after all); but, they were
always united as “the Bush girls” and they always had each other’s backs
especially as they grew older and had their own families.
Risa
was a teacher from the very start.
Harriet shared with me how as a young child Risa would play school setting up a classroom and acting out the role of teacher. Her passion for teaching never ceased even
after doing it for well over 3 decades.
Josh was able to give me a remarkably detailed review (she was his idol,
as he will tell you) of all of her teaching positions from her long-term sub
days at Catonsville to a brief stint at St. Elizabeths. From a long tenure in Howard County to her
settling into various specialty resource and instructional coach positions in
Baltimore County. She was the expert on math and later science
instruction. She wrote curricula and
lead professional development seminars. She taught teachers how to be better teachers.
She loved what she did, and she was loved by all who worked with her. I understand
there is a sketch written by her colleagues that outlines in perfect Letterman
style, “the 10 signs you’ve worked with Risa Helpren.”
Due
to declining enrollment in her penultimate teaching position in the County,
Risa accepted a priority transfer to Carroll Manor this past spring. It was there where she spent her last months
teaching. Principal Will was incredibly
supportive, respectful, and gracious to Risa. He hired her on the spot based on
her reputation and resume alone knowing that she was undergoing chemo and
fighting a valiant battle against cancer. He even moved her supplies himself with
his own truck rather than waiting on the county.
Risa
also taught during what many would have viewed her time off. Virtually every Sunday, she (and her boys)
could be found at Temple Emanuel. She ran the Family Education Program at there
for over 16 years. What a resource we had in Risa. She was a delight to work
with indeed a teacher’s teacher. Her
patience, creativity, positivity, and eagerness came through in every
program. She was always prepared for
anything. All I had to do was show up
with content to teach. She had
everything else organized and in place. And
her students – both kids and parents loved her. Put simply, Risa was passionate
about education wherever that education took place, in the classroom, in the
sanctuary or social hall of a synagogue, or at the kitchen table with a family
member.
Risa
got involved in Temple beyond her role as a teacher. She served on the B’nai
Mitzvah & Beyond Committee working to keep teens engaged; she took part in
many Mitzvah Days; she helped families transition to the BEIT RJ when it
opened; and perhaps my favorite of her roles: she accompanied me on flute
during worship. There is only one thing a Cantor loves more than a congregant
willing to accompany her on a musical instrument, someone who is also really
good at it! Risa’s musicianship –
whether on Michael Isaacson’s Bayom Hahu
or Bruce Benson’s Adonai Li –
elevated our worship. And to watch her family beam with pride from the
congregation was priceless.
Still,
arguably, the school was Risa’s first love.
When the decision was made to close Emanuel’s religious school, Risa was
the voice that stood up – calmly, pointedly, but passionately, not only on
behalf of the school, which was in fact the heart of the congregation, but also
on behalf of her fellow teachers. She was sincerely worried about them
especially those with the longest tenure.
September
13 was the last day Risa taught in a classroom.
Giving up teaching for Risa was the hardest part of her battle with
cancer, perhaps harder than enduring chemo. Risa’s life was so enriched by
teaching and the relationships she cultivated through her vocation. She was a
mentor and coach to fellow teachers who became dear, close, and life-long
friends, so many that we’d be here until the close of Shabbat if I tried to
enumerate them. During shiva, ask Josh
about them. And yet, still, her heart
was open to new friends at the end of her professional tenure. Even though she was only at Carroll Manor for
a few months, Howard tells me she felt so welcomed and part of the team. That
meant the world to Risa. As I listened to Josh tell me how much her teaching
team there carried her through her illness, it struck me that without even
knowing it, they were returning the favor that she had given to so, so many
others throughout her career as a teacher. The Rabbis of the Mishnah must somehow have
had Risa in mind when they wrote the aphorism, “get yourself a teacher, make
for yourself a friend.”
There are
only two roles Risa cherished more than being a teacher: being Howard’s wife
and being Josh and Danny’s mom. Howard
and Risa met on a blind date. Risa’s sisters gave her number to their friend
Maya Kempler. She passed it on to Howard
who reluctantly accepted. Lucky he
did. They both knew after that first
date to Chili’s that they had each found someone special. Within the year, Howard took Risa to France
to propose. Still within the year, on
March 24, 1991, they were married. They
honeymooned in Disney World where they – thanks to the generosity of Risa’s
uncle – truly lived like a Disney Prince and Princess. They didn’t waste time building a
family. On their wedding night, over
cheesesteaks, they decided to buy a house.
Howard found the perfect lot. Of
course, Risa needed to pay a visit to the school, but it and the principal
passed the test, so they went forward and built their house on Dow Meadow, the
home where they’d raise their sons.
Risa always
wanted sons, and boy did she and Howard luck out with Josh and Dan. Josh you
may have idolized your mom as you followed in her footsteps into teaching, and Dan
you may have thought she was “bad ass” as you put it. Know that equally so she thought the world of both of
you. She was so, so proud of the young
men you have grown into: her teacher and her musician. As she wrote in August in her journal, “My wonderful
sons have shown me what extraordinary human beings they are! Howard and I are
so proud of them. They will
change the world in some positive way.
That I am sure of!”
One of the
hardest things Risa had to make peace with after her cancer diagnosis was the
reality that she would die before, as she put it, [she was] done mothering her
beloved sons. She struggled knowing she had to leave you at this stage in your
lives, but know this clearly - she knew you loved her. She felt so fortunate to
have had such a “loving, caring, and attentive husband” in Howard. And as she
also wrote in her journal, she was so grateful to “be loved by [her] wonderful,
talented sons.” She felt blessed to have been able to see “them grow into such
strong, intelligent, compassionate young men.”
No surprise given the mom that had at their back throughout their
lives. She was indeed a rock star.
And then
there’s Howard. Risa and Howard shared
an enviable love affair for 25 years. There are simply no words that can
qualify or quantify their partnership, or the loss that now Howard must bear. Howard, Risa was so comforted by your
strength, your love, and your touch over the last year. All the decisions she
made regarding hospice care, funeral arrangements, where shiva would be, they
were all done with you and your boys in mind.
Modern
mystic, Rabbi Lawrence Kushner would liken Howard and Risa’s partnership to a
completed puzzle. Kushner views each
person’s life as containing the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. For some there are more pieces, others
less. Some seem to be born with a nearly
completed puzzle, for others the puzzle is more difficult to assemble. But, no one has within themselves all of the
pieces to their puzzle. Sometimes we
know it. Sometimes we don’t. But, when we present our piece, which may be
worthless to ourselves, to another for whom the piece fits, we create a tikkun,
a Divine correction, thus allowing a sense of Godliness into the world. Howard
– you and Risa completed each other’s puzzle. From that first blind date where you showed
up with a hole in your t-shirt, you shared an honest, loyal, and loving
partnership that formed a solid foundation for your marriage and the growth of
your family. You described Risa as someone who cared far more about substance
than the any materialistic trappings.
That’s why she picked you, too. Whether running errands, doing a project
at Temple, hanging out with your boys – it was indeed the simple pleasures of
being together that you both loved so much. You were blessed – even if it was
for far, far too short a time. What a privilege to love and be loved so fully
and completely.
Risa
received such good care from so many around her. At the risk of leaving someone out, I’d like
to note a few I know about. Her
dedicated caregivers at Mercy and Stella Maris provided comfort and respect
allowing Risa to retain her dignity and her capacity for joy until the very
end. Her many friends and extended family who visited, called, and sent notes
made her feel loved until the very end and provided her company and
conversation. Her neighbors, Diane,
Monique, and all those who joined her for high tea on Sundays: I hope you’ll
continue to meet for tea while remembering your dear friend. And her family,
her parents Harriet, Rod, Dave & Margie; her sisters Bonnie & Karen;
and of course, Danny, Josh, and Howard, you held her hand at the very end and
gave her permission and the sacred space to make that transition peacefully
from life to death. That act in and of itself was as life-affirming as the
waters that make up the Sea of Galilee.
I
know my remarks have been long, but allow me to conclude my with a story. As an educator, Risa loved stories, and this
one, at least in my mind is fitting tribute to Risa Joy:
The Rose Talked Back….
The Shamash, the synagogue
attendant was sweeping up in the synagogue after a wedding. Looking at the flowers that were left about
lying in disorder, he remarked to himself (as perhaps Risa would’ve), “What a
waste!” The roses had adorned the pulpit
just an hour before, and now they were all going to be discarded. As the
attendant continued working, he heard a voice.
One of the roses protested, “You call this a waste? What is life anyway
but a means of service. My mission was
to create some fragrance and beauty, and as I have fulfilled it, my life has
not been wasted. What greater privilege is there than to adorn a bride’s way to
her beloved; what greater privilege is there that to help glorify the moment
when a bride and groom seal their faith in each other with the covenant of
marriage?” The little flower paused as
the man composed himself, and then continued: “Roses are like people. They live in deeds, not in time. My glory was brief, only an hour, but you
should have seen the joy I brought into the world. So don’t grieve for me. My life has been worthwhile.”
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