Todah Rabah:

My husband and I want to thank all of you for giving us our daughter back.

It is strange for me to say this, but I had not realized how close we had come to loosing her.  What we knew is that she was unhappy, unhealthy and completely and utterly miserable.  She was able to manipulate situations to such a degree that when she left I was relieved to see her go.

I was scared about what would happen when she came here for a visit.  It was one thing to come back strong physically, but to come back in the way she did - on crutches made things even more uncertain.  What came through those doors at the airport was not the girl who had left so many months earlier.  What came through those doors was a young woman who was tired, in pain and slightly irritated about her situation, but one who shone from the inside.  There was a confidence, a determination that she would get through whatever came her way.  There was a young woman who felt a deep loyalty and commitment to all of you, and one who had been given the tools she needed to deal with the whole mess of medical issues that would follow shortly after her arrival.

This is not her home any longer; her home is with all of you - her support network, her family.  I am happy for her, not saddened by the fact that we have somehow lost her to the place that has been her refuge for the past 8 months.  For every parent knows that part of their success as a parent is to watch their children leave the nest, as it were, with the tools needed to start their own independent life.  Our daughter cannot do that here.  She will always need something more, something that her father and I cannot give her.  The fact that she has found that place and speaks about all of you with such love and warmth gladdens my heart and takes away many of the fears I have had for her future.

There were so many times, when things were at their worst that my husband would say, "she has so much going for her, I don't understand what's wrong, maybe if she could just find something that she enjoyed doing things would be better".  Now, when I talk to my daughter there seems to be so many options open to her, so many things that she is excited about doing.

She smiles often, laughs often, and shares her new found joy of life.  As parents, we now have something tangible to kvell about.

--Bill & Neena

Rabbi Borovitz and all,

Gratitude begins to express the sentiments I feel towards Beit T’Shuvah. The sanctuary, challenges, community that greets those who walk through the doors of Beit T’Shuvah - has had a profound affect on my family. As M. described a few months ago, my daughter is a “delayed success story.” She is a work in progress, as we all are. Our lives are now blessed with more hope, joy and promise.

We (Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt, Uncle, Cousin and Sister) will be joining the Beit T’Shuvah Community on June 1 to celebrate L.’s first Sober Birthday. We want to contribute to the Shabbat Dinner that night.

Thank you for the part you played in the healing that goes on daily.

Harriet & Rabbi Mark,

Friday I volunteered to be a Sponsor for Shabbat, but had neither cash nor check with me, so here is a check - a day late.

A wonderful opportunity to tell you and Rabbi how overwhelmed I am by all you do. But most impressively by the love you both exude to all you encounter.

I am in awe and look forward to doing what I can to contribute to this incredible community and help move your visions to fruition.

PS: I think T. is making great strides and obviously I am most grateful for that as well!

Rabbi Borovitz, Harriet and Beit T’Shuvah Staff,

One year ago on May 8th, against his wishes, I put my son on a plane and sent him to you at Beit T’Shuvah. He was broken, out of control and in so much pain. I had tried for many years to help him and many times I thought he had overcome his battle.

In May ‘07 I knew I had to remove him from my home and send him where he would finally get the treatment and attention he so desperately needed. He was very angry when he left, and I was fearful he would not speak to me again.

After several weeks at Beit T’Shuvah H. called me. He was ready to see me and for me to see Beit T’Shuvah. He couldn’t explain what it was like there. He said you had to experience it, but he did say, “Thank you, Mom. You made a decision for me at a time when I could not think for myself.”

With tears of gratitude, I attended my first Shabbat services. I could relate to all I was seeing and hearing. Because of the treatment and attention H. was receiving I could see changes in him. You nourished his soul and provided him with the strength he needed to move forward into a life of peace, happiness, contentment, appreciation, gratitude and honesty.

My son remained at Beit T’Shuvah until three weeks ago. He loves living in California with his family. He is at school, in his own apartment and has secured a summer internship with an accountant, which, by the way, are major challenges for a Canadian.

H. has told me that his commitment to Beit T’Shuvah will be ongoing, as will mine. It is my hope that you will use this candelabra in your synagogue because Beit T’Shuvah lights the light of hope and inner joy that dispels all darkness.

“I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you, there is no bottom.”

Dear Rabbi Borovitz,

It is with great pleasure and a concomitant admiration for you that I write this letter on the subject of my dear sister and your direct positive impact on her life.

Because of your steady, regular, consistent belief in her talents and qualities, and your increasing delegation of responsibility to her, as well as steady employment - I have witnessed the flowering of my sister greater than anything I have ever seen in the history of her life.

Words cannot convey the absolute Bliss and Joy your actions towards her have caused me, our father and the entire family. Words are useless little chicken scratching when compared to the enormity of the accomplishment of not only saving someone’s life, but enriching it; providing the ingredients to grow a person into a truly wonderful addition to humankind.

Not just any person did you help. My sister is not just anyone. She is a culmination of spirits, a tremendous intellect and Human personality unlike the average. Your recognition of that personality and subsequent reliance on, trust in and admiration of her is the ‘little extra something’ that allowed this magnificent flowering of her life to take place.

I stand in complete solidarity with you, the entire organization and while I might not be able to encapsulate all my feelings in this letter, I hope you will now forever in your heart, mind and spirit know the absolute Love I send you from the deepest part of my soul.

May your Life be Blessed with Abundance, Joy and Knowledge that because of you help to my sister, my life is doubly blessed over and over and over and over again. May you be Blessed until the End of Time.

Dear Terrie,

I cannot express with enough gratitude how much I appreciate being welcomed into the Beit T'Shuvah community last week. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and I learned so much about recovery, community, and the powerful force that can be found within Judaism as a tool for healing. Thank you so much for being my "go-to person" and for never hesitating to make time for me when I had questions or concerns. Your kind, gentle and genuine personality was definitely comforting for me, being far away from home in a brand new environment.

Hopefully I will have another opportunity in the near future to spend time at Beit T'Shuvah as a volunteer. It is such a special place, and I truly believe that the services Beit T'Shuvah provides and the principles upon which it is founded are fundamental to Judaism and especially to Tikun Olam - repairing the world and making it a better place.

So thank you again for your time, patience, and guidance. I truly admire the work you do and the kind of person you are.

Sincerely,

Jana

P.S. The cookies and additional note are for the women. If you wouldn't mind reading them the letter and giving them the goodies when they are all there (or most of them) that would be great!