David Maymon is the owner of Advocate Home Care Services. As one of the team chaplains, along with Father Linus, I am usually with David and the Advocate Team every Monday morning.
It is a wonderful group of people from very diverse backgrounds who busy themselves all week long trying to make sure that the people they care for have the right aide and we try to insure that by asking one very important question that David insists on – “If that was my mother or father, would I be comfortable with that aide?” If we can answer “Yes” to that question, then, the vast majority of the time, we are going to be right on target and make a wonderful match.
Most of you are familiar with the story of Fiddler On the Roof. And you know all about Yenta the Matchmaker; well, in a way, that is exactly what we do at Advocate, only we do not try to arrange marriages; we try to arrange caring and loving partnerships.
David knows how effective famous quotes can be and he has a knack for coming up with just the right phrase for every situation. He also happens to have two particular quotes nicely framed and hanging on the wall where we hold our meetings, and, before our meetings are over, those quotes are read aloud, each teaching a very important lesson to carry with us through our work week and back to our homes.
The first quote comes from Ettiene De Grellet, a Quaker missionary, who said [paraphrased], “I shall pass this way but once; therefore, let any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to anyone … let me do it now for I shall not pass this way again.”
And then there is the other quote on the wall … this one by one of the most well-known athletes of all time, Muhammad Ali, a convert to the Muslim faith, who said, “The fight is won or lost far away from the witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road long before I dance under those lights.” To Ali’s quote, if you want to win a battle, you had better be prepared and have the strength and skill that only intense training can give you.
David is a good soul, and he is also wise enough to know that wisdom comes from many places and that everyone has much they can teach us … and those two quotes he has hanging in the office are so true.
How often do we hold off on doing something special and loving? Perhaps, at this very moment, while you are reading these words, there is someone next to you who could really use your attention – a tender smile, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on.
Ali was right. The battle is won or lost long before we enter into it and De Grellet was right, we need to live in the moment and do whatever we are able to help others in need. And, David is right as well, and as he would so eloquently put it; “Reflect” and may you not only carry these words in your heart, but may you put them into action and may the actions you take be for a blessing.
The High Holy Days are soon approaching. Let us prepare for them by doing whatever we can to be of service.
Shalom my friends,
Rabbi Craig H. Ezring
Rabbi Ezring is the rabbi at Temple Beth Israel in Century Village of Deerfield Beach. During the week, he continues his work as a Hospice and Health Care Chaplain. He is a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and of the Association of Professional Chaplains.
