Michael Medved to Deliver 2014 Ariel Avrech Memorial Lecture

You are all invited to The Eleventh Annual Ariel Avrech ZT’L Memorial Lecture that will take place Sunday, June 8, 2014, at 10 AM at the Young Israel of Century City, followed by brunch.

Young Israel of Century City
9317 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90035

RSVP to Rebekah at the synagogue office: (310) 273-6954

For those unable to attend the lecture will be posted here at Seraphic Secret.

Karen and I are delighted to that our friend Michael Medved will deliver this year’s lecture titled: “Shifting Alliances: Why Liberals No Longer Reliably Support Israel — And Conservatives Do.”

Michael is a nationally syndicated radio host, best-selling author, and veteran movie critic. His daily three-hour broadcast reaches more than 4 million listeners on more than 200 stations across the country — drawing an audience that ranks his show as one of the top five political talk shows in the United States.

When we memorialize Ariel, we not only remember the past, we imagine a future that might have been.

Had he lived, Ariel would be in the prime of his life.

We imagine him, married to a lovely and modest young woman, perhaps with several of the six daughters he wished for, all named for the Jewish expressions of joy: Gilah, Rena, Ditzah, Chedvah, Reah, Shalom, and Reut.

Always sensitive to the needs of others, but immersed in learning Torah, Ariel was pursuing a degree in Special Education. But he aspired for more and tormented himself at the age of twenty pondering a choice of career, even when in the throes of critical illness.

Ariel never doubted that he would survive. He sincerely believed that his biggest challenge was finding his life’s path. The physical challenges were incidental compared to the task of learning, and spiritual growth.

Ariel raised our family to a higher level of holiness. He inspired his sisters with his sweet humility and kindness which guided them in choosing their husbands, men he would embrace as brothers.

We feel diminished by his loss, for he was a beacon illuminating our family with a special light. From the time Ariel was born, we always said, “Ariel is special.” We will continue to declare it every day, and especially on the day of his memorial lecture.

Contrary to all logic, as time passes, our memories of Ariel have become more vivid. The images of every stage of his life are easier to evoke in all nuance and detail.

This is a mixed blessing since it intensifies our longing for his smile, his steadfastness, his intelligence and kindness. Yet the enrichment of memory strengthens his role in our family as a luminous spirit, guiding us in the corporeal world.

His goodness, his Torah scholarship and modest piety are a constant reminder of what we should all strive for in our lives.

Indeed, Ariel’s absence has been transformed into a deeply felt presence.