what I learned from my friend Dafna

05/06/2022 This has been a very complicated week for all of us; as we commemorate the losses on Yom Hazikoron we celebrate the birthday of our beloved Israel on Yom Haatzmaut. I always found it fascinating that as a people we always find a way to partner the sad with the happy, the bitter with the joy. This year, Yom Hazikoron took on a special meaning for all of us as we took a moment to honor and remember the magnificent Dafna Berman. From the moment of her passing, we all knew that we would have to find a way to memorialize Dafna at HANC. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that she had earned and deserved the recognition. Coupled with that understanding was the certainty that it had to be connected to Israel and Yom Hazikoron. We accomplished just that this week as we dedicated the Dafna Berman Yom Hazikoron Program in her honor. We modeled the contents of the presentation on her template and made sure that the tone and the content would meet her very high standards. We invited Dafna’s family to join us. As we cried together, they agreed that this is what Dafna would want; to be remembered for her love for Israel at HANC. How can one describe Dafna and still do her justice? Dafna was tiny, even shorter than me, with a mop of shiny dark haired curls and sparkly eyes. When so disposed, she would greet you with a huge toothy smile and an impish grin. When she moved down the halls, she ran; it was always an effort for anyone to keep pace with her. Her classroom was immaculate and organized to the smallest detail. There was a place for everything and mostly everyone. When tours of the building were a thing, her room was the one to visit. Her devotion to staff, families and children came from a place of compassion, love of her craft and a commitment to Israel and ivrit. Whatever Dafna did, she did well. Teaching second and fourth grade Judaic Studies, Hebrew language, developing programs, making schedules, finding subs or calming Jeannie and more, she made it all look so easy. And she would do it fast and in the most clear and easy to follow and understand way. Dafna loved a good meal, story and friends; she was the queen of the teacher’s room and everyone clamored for a place at her table. When you got that golden ticket, you deemed yourself lucky. Dafna did everything with a confident manner that dared you to question her; she was small but mighty. Dafna was everyone’s hero; when she got sick, she marshaled all of her many talents to battle the fight of her life. No one would ever know the pain, hardship and struggles she endured during those last few months; not even me, who spoke to her daily. Up until the last days of her magnificent life, we worked planning the new year together. Down to her last minutes, Dafna did not give in to the struggle. She knew we needed her to help start the year successfully; she had a job to do. No quitter our Dafna, that’s for sure. We, who had the zchut to know her, are tasked with sharing her legacy. This week, we did what we could for her memory to live as we continue to miss her daily. “Dafna, we did our best to run the Yom Hazikoron program without you. We hope that it met your high standards. We know that you are taking care of business from your new office in Shamayim, thank you!” On Yom Hazikoron, we honor our heroes. Dafna Berman, has earned her place among the exalted. May your neshama have an alyah. Shabbat Shalom. ReplyForward