Temple Beth Am Library Minyan January 2015
 A Note from Rabbi K
Dear friends,
 
We all remain saddened by the death of our friend, colleague, teacher, a mentsch of mentsches…Rabbi Ronnie Cohen.  As many of you know, there is a tradition to commit to studying Jewish texts in memory of the deceased. In particular, the classic Rabbinic text, the Mishnah, is studied, largely because מ-ש-נ-ה is an anagram for the word neshama, נ-ש-מ-ה, or “soul.”  We pray that our study of the Mishnah will ease the transition of souls from this earthly realm to the one beyond. 
 
As you will see below, there is an effort underfoot to complete the study of the entire Mishnah in memory of Ronnie, by the end of sheloshim.  You may choose an entire masekhet/tractate, or just a few chapters. The study can be done in Hebrew or in English.  I encourage you all to participate in some meaningful way, and to thus commit to ensuring that Ronnie’s memory is a blessing.
 
May Ronnie’s family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and by our presence, our prayers and our own commitments to the hesed and Torah-study that were so central to Ronnie’s life.
 
בשלום וברכב.  In peace and blessing.
 
Rabbi Adam Kligfeld
 
 
From: Rabbi Kobrin 
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2015 9:32 PM
Subject: Mishnah in Memory of Rabbi Ronnie Cohen z"l
 
Dear Chevre,

I remember the first time I met Rabbi Ronnie Cohen z"l — we were at the Library Minyan the week before we began rabbinical school, and Ronnie was giving a beautiful Dvar Torah — a modern midrash that he had written. I came to quickly find out that this man was not only brilliant and creative — he was also funny, compassionate, and kind — and he possessed a radiant smile that could warm the heart of any stressed-out rabbinical student. Ronnie was a true mensch. 

Tradition teaches that when a loved one dies, we honor him by studying words of Mishnah — as the Hebrew letters that form “Mishnah” and “Neshamah” are one and the same.  It seems particularly fitting to learn Mishnah in honor of Rabbi Cohen — who poured over these very texts with joy and light while in rabbinical school — never too busy to help a fellow student — and who taught these very texts at Ziegler during these last years of his life. 

This link contains a chart of the entire Mishnah. Alumni and faculty have already begun to commit to learning certain perakim — we would love to have Ziegler students join in this sacred task as well. Together, we are a community that spans miles and generations, a community made up of dedicated individuals who were so very blessed by the the presence of Rabbi Ronnie Cohen, a community that will continue to carry on his memory for many, many years to come. 

Zichrono livracha

L'Shalom,

Rachel Kobrin
ZSRS 2009
Rabbi, Congregation Adath Jeshurun
Elkins Park, PA

www.tinyurl.com/ronniecohenzl
The Library Minyan of Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd 90035  www.libraryminyan.org