Rabbi Howard Morrison

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, we read a Haftarah centering around the Biblical Channah. In the narrative, she prays desperately to have a child. Ultimately, Samuel is born to her. He will become a great Prophet among the nation of Israel. Channah, however, is a role model for all of us. In rabbinic literature, she becomes the exemplar for how a Jew prays. She enunciated her words; she prayed loudly enough only for her to hear her words of prayer; she prayed with utmost devotion, and more.

Many years ago when a number of Jews were considering adding the names of Biblical women to the Amidah, one scholar suggested that instead of mirroring the names of the Patriarchs with the names of the Matriarchs, one ought to consider adding or thinking of Channah, a true exemplar of Jewish prayer.

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, I think of another Channah as well. My mother, Helen Morrison, passed away at 4AM on Rosh Hashanah in 1999. Her first Hebrew name was Channah. My mom did not grow up in a religiously observant home. However, after she met and married my dad, she chose to become much more observant. While my father was the classical provider, my mother took us to day school; my mother looked after the Kashrut of the home; my mother always bentched  licht; my mother was the unofficial lifetime Sisterhood president of my childhood shul; my mother continued to study modern Hebrew into her mature years, and more. 

I am writing this blog just a couple of hours before the onset of Rosh Hashanah. I will be remembering two Channahs - one from Scripture and one whose memory is always in my mind, heart, and soul. 

Yhi Zichra Baruch - May my mother's memory be a blessing.

Love,

her son, Howie