Hi Reb Chaim,
I know many of the JTFers may not be too familiar with me, so a brief introduction.
I am Zev, from London and 26 and been a member here since its inception, though not active, due to some personal matters. I write this with great pain, sadness and a broken-heart after seeing my father (z"tl) pass away yesterday afternoon in Hospital. He was 58 - same age as Rabbi Kahane, zt"l, H"yd. My whole family is torn, broken and extremely pained by this great loss. I didn’t have such a good connection with my dad, but on 2 recent visits to him I spoke a few words with him.
My family and I were at his side as he was nifar. We and the chevra kadisha said Shema, vidui, Hashem Hu Elokim and Nishmas Kol Chai and his neshamah (soul) departed. We were all crying heavily and bitterly.
Words of nechama and comfort wouyld be greatly appreciated and would have a lot of meaning. I am saying yitgadal (the Mourners prayer /kaddish) for him now and the shivah started last night, motzaei yom tov / Saturday night - lasting 'till Thursday morning. All the families are united and cooperating at this time, thank G-d, despite differences.
He was in and out of Hospital for the las months, following several brain bleeds, the discovering of several brain tumors and a strong chest infection. He was breathing with oxygen supply for the past few days, and his level of breathing changed for the worse yesterday morning. My mother, sisters etc are shattered. This is a heard time for me now.
If you and JTFers could do something – i.e. learn - leliu nishmas - in memory - it would be great - his name: yisrael yehoshua heshel ben zev.
Thanks,
Shalom
Zev