Sad, Sad News

One of our switch brothers has passed away.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4487181/Yehuda/


RIP, Yehuda

 Oh my goodness, I just saw this. How tragic! He was only 23, right?

Yes, he was 23.  He passed away in his sleep Wednesday night/Thursday morning and was buried on Friday, in accordance with Jewish rites.  He was, by birth, a Chabad Lubavitch, although he said on more than one occassion that he was an atheist. 

 Thanks for the info, Lisa.

He was,  by birth,  a Jew.  His level of observance (or lack thereof) or adherence to the traditions of a sect was his choice...a Jew by birth,  an atheist by choice.  There are lots and lots of those.  Myself included.  Being an atheist does not make one not a Jew.  One is a Jew by birth...what one believes is by choice.  He and I discussed this many many times.  His family was and is observant,  so they observed Jewish rites and that is what he would have wanted.  Just because he didn't believe in the existence of "god" doesn't mean he didn't feel Jewish.  Jewish identity is not dependent entirely on belief in "god."  I don't believe that "god" exists but I have a very strong Jewish identity. 

Barukh dayan emet.

 Well said.  My husband and I are both Jewish. He's an athiest--I'm still searching for what I believe in.  But we will always be Jewish by birth and by the culture we share.

Yehuda will be miss so much.

I think Lisa understands this since she is also Jewish.

ETA: I did not say this to provoke you so please do not take it that way.

I believe we are on the same wavelength here.  Thank you for the very thorough explanation.

 Oh My!  Great saddness!!  
What a kind and compassionate young man!!
He will not be fogotten.  

This is very sad news!!!  May he rest in peace!

He will be missed.  His kindness will never be forgotten.

Dena