(Written the day I learned of Lev’s passing)

Today was a hard day for me.

I heard the very sad news that my dear friend - 93 year old Lev Brailovsky - was laid to rest.

He was family to not just myself, but our entire community! And today our community showed up to pay their last respects.

Lev’s life was not always easy. At age 8, his father was executed for being an ‘enemy of the state’. His mother was jailed for being his wife.

Lev grew up in an orphanage until he joined the war efforts against the Nazis. He was only 14 at the time.

Despite all he’s been through, he was optimistic, upbeat and a very proud Jew.

Two weeks ago I drove past his home and debated whether I should stop by. I was ending a long exhausting day, but decided to visit him nonetheless.

Little did I know it would be the last time I would see my amazing friend.

We spoke for over an hour, and then we laid Tefilin.

Afterwards, Lev unexpectedly gave me his most prized possession as a gift, a set of books by Sholom Aleichem.

Before I left, I asked him for one more ‘gift’.

“Please allow me to give you a Jewish burial after 120,” I requested, knowing he was contemplating cremation - not knowing it was against the Torah.

“But I’m all alone, no one will ever visit my grave,” he said in a worried tone of voice.

“I promise, every time I go to the Jewish cemetery I’ll visit you and recite chapters of Tehillim,” I said.

“In that case, it’s a deal.” We shook hands and I said goodbye.

After I heard the sad news of his passing, I contacted his neighbor to get the documents necessary to arrange for his burial.

“It’s so strange. Just three days ago Lev casually mentioned he would like you to give him a Jewish burial,” she said in wonder.

I will miss Lev Ben Michoel’s wisdom, warm friendship and humor.

But I am so grateful for the time we spent together.

Baruch Dayan Haemes