Recently, we lost two beloved members of our community...
Recently, we lost two beloved members of our community, Marcia Wagner, of blessed memory and Edgar Cahn, of blessed memory. They passed this last weekend.
Marcia, a long time member of the Kehila Chadasha was also a supporter of Am Kolel. With her husband, Ira, they have been among our major supports and donors. Marcia helped us, pro bono, with our books when we were first getting organized. She and Ira, dedicated a Torah to Sanctuary shortly after we opened. They have been so helpful with our mortgage. Marcia, a dedicated activist for peace and environmental causes comes from a long line of community leaders. Her great grandfather, Aron Suhler, was the first rabbi of Temple Emanuel in Dallas going back to the early 1870’s after emigrating from Germany. Her maternal grandparents, the Pickens, were community leaders and activists in Loudon County. Her father flew more than 50 missions over Nazi Europe and, after the war, was a deeply respected diplomat.
A personal friend, Marcia also nurtured three extraordinary daughters, Leah, Sarah and Ariel, each in their own way making wonderful contributions in their fields and to their communities. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ira, their daughters and their families. Marcia, a breast cancer survivor for thirty years, heroically battled a more recent recurrence.
We also lost Edgar Cahn after a series of illnesses and many ups and downs. He also, until his last breath, continued to plan for the future and philosophize about life. A former speech writer for Bobby Kennedy, Edgar, with his first wife, Jean, of blessed memory, founded Antioch Law School. Antioch Law School then became D.C. Law School where Edgar continued to serve on the faculty until a few weeks ago when he became ill. He was also the father of Time Banking. He and his wife Chris Gray, whose wedding I officiated at, founded Time Bank, Inc. and have impacted thousands of people and hundreds of communities around the world. Check out TimeBanks.org.
Edgar chose to become a Bar Mitzvah at the age of 80. His son Jonathan joined him. Edgar and Chris started coming regularly to Am Kolel Shabbat services and always brought his insights and his wisdom to our discussions. His gentleness, wit and determination to live meaningfully deeply touched our havurah. Our love to Chris and Jonathan and other members of family at this time.
Their deaths coincide with the giving of the Torah, the Covenant of Divine and human relationship at SInai and the many Mitzvot of how to live a just, compassionate and celebratory life so fully described in the Parshiot this week. Each of them lived in deep relationship with the Transcendent and in building just and peaceful relationships within society. May they rest in peace. May we carry on their legacies.
Marcia’s body was laid to rest at Judean Gardens yesterday. Edgar’s family is meeting privately and, sometime in the early spring , will have a public celebration of his life.
May they be comforted among the mourners and ZIon and Jerusalem.
HaMakom Y’Nachem Etchem.
Reb David