Conservative Judaism/Peter McKeand

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Expert: - 10/16/2011


Question
Dear Rabbi,

It brings me great sadness to share with you that Peter McKeand who wrote to you 3 years ago (http://en.allexperts.com/q/Conservative-Judaism-951/2008/2/sorry-ve-heard.htm) passed away 3 days ago.

Please pray for him.

Best,
Justin

Answer
Dear Justin,

While I am grateful to know about Peter's passing, it is a very sad moment.

I didn't know your relationship with him, and I don't know the details of his passing - but those are just details. The event of a loss of a friend and a human being who was unable to be helped by the current state of medical knowledge are truly overwhelming.

We can only hope that Peter is at rest, and I assure you that his concerns and letters to me will not be forgotten. Each time in the Jewish tradition when we pause to remember family who have died, he will be part of my prayers and memories as well.

Thank you for your kind thoughtfulness and may we all be inspired to reach out to those in mental distress which is often less "visible" as quickly as we help to alleviate the suffering of those with physical challenges.

Best wishes for the New Year in the Jewish tradition, now 5772.

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

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Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

Experience

I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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