Farewell Memory Hauptman

My parents were life members at another synagogue when I convinced them to make the jump to Sinai. My dad was often in the hospital, and he was disappointed that the rabbi at the other synagogue wasn’t visiting. My parents joined Sinai. Within about a month, my dad was in the hospital and within hours Rabbi Jamie came to visit. That made my dad so happy. Unfortunately, prior to his death, my dad was in the hospital a lot, and Rabbi Jamie visited every time. When my father passed away, Rabbi Jamie was there for me, my mom, and my brother; giving us each our own time.

When my husband (David) and I got married, Rabbi Jamie and Barbara made the trip to New Jersey to co-officiate with, now retired, Rabbi Miller. That was incredibly special for us still today. Interestingly, the world is so tiny. When we told Rabbi Jamie we were engaged and would be getting married at Anche Emeth in New Brunswick, NJ, he immediately beamed with a story about Rabbi Miller and how Rabbi Miller’s daughter spent time in Pittsburgh with Rabbi Jamie staying at the Weinkles’ house. The tiny world we live in got much brighter with this wonderful connection.

My son has always had a special bond with Rabbi Jamie. I remember when I was younger thinking the rabbi was someone who you don’t talk to and certainly don’t joke around with, but not Rabbi Jamie. From birth, Dillon loved coming to Sinai. In fact, he was always calmer at Sinai than at home when he was an infant. I think that laid the groundwork for how he would come to befriend, love, and respect the rabbis of Temple Sinai. There is a picture in the glass case of Rabbi Jamie and my son that speaks volumes for how he has always felt about Rabbi Jamie. They are both smiling and sharing a thumbs up and the genuineness of this photo is so very dear to all of our hearts.”