Rabbi Howard Morrison

It is with a heavy heart that I share this with you. I was shocked and saddened to learn that my father in law, Raymond Sasson, passed away Tuesday evening. From the first moment I entered his family's embrace, I immediately loved Raymond and grew to consider him as a second father to me.

I will always cherish the times I would walk to shul with Raymond on Shabbat, be it in New Jersey, Long Island, or Toronto. I especially enjoyed sitting next to him in his shul at the East Brunswick Jewish Center.

Raymond was one of the kindest and most caring people I ever knew. I saw how lovingly he interacted with his immediate family, extended family on all sides, synagogue members, and people he barely knew.

While he was a traditionalist, Raymond was open minded and accepting of others. He was never judgemental toward those who had different beliefs or practices. The Jewish world truly benefited by having such a mentsch named Raymond Sasson.

I will always celebrate and recall Raymond as the sandek at the Brises of Elie and Yonah. Both boys are beside themselves that they cannot attend the funeral due to Covid-19. They understand that their place is at the side of their mother, physically for Yonah and metaphysically for Elie.

Raymond passed away on Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, the first day of this Hebrew month. Ironically, this is the month, beginning on its seventeenth day, when we observe the saddest period of the calendar year, known simply as "the three weeks." At the culmination of this period, we quote from Scripture a verse which points to the time when days of sadness will be transformed into days of joy.

For now, the sadness is overwhelming. But I know that in time to come, the whole family will be filled with all kinds of joyous memories.

Rabbi Howard Morrison