Time

Time is a very weird thing,
it is Wibbly-Wobbly, and can be hard to deal with.
We always rush as soon as we hear the bell's ding,
it can be a blessing or a pain.

Time is there to help us heal,
or to help us understand.
It reminds us that things in life are real,
and need to be appreciated every moment.

It can be hard to wait,
it may even be agony.
Yet, this is our fate,
respect it and let it go.

Time will move quickly at times,
even when we wished it wouldn't.
Wasting even a second is a huge crime,
and yet we do it constantly.

Time is precious to each of us,
it helps us as we live life.
It it important that we respect someone else's time without a fuss,
for we would want them to respect our own in return.

Brothers Reunite

Published in the Nshei Chabad Newsletter (Shvat 5775/February 2015)

          Twenty-one years ago, my mother gave birth to a baby boy. After just a day and a half in this world, his precious soul was returned to its Creator. Before his burial, he was named Moshe Daniel.

Just over a year later, my mother was once again about to give birth, this time to twin boys. The doctors informed my mother that the younger and smaller of the twins would not survive the birth. Yet miracles happened and he was born alive: sick and only 2.1 pounds, but alive. That tiny baby was me.

          I have always felt, ever since my early childhood, that I am a reincarnation of Moshe Daniel. At many milestones, I felt like I was living life for him. I feel that I am a “comfort child” that Hashem gave to my parents: being born exactly a year later; being the second, unexpected twin; also expected to pass away, yet given life.

          Even before anyone told me about my brother, I felt a strong connection to him. He was my diary, my mentor, my friend. He guided me, protected me, taught me, and cared for me. I have always counted him amongst my siblings, and to me, he was very much a part of the family.

           As soon as I found out about his existence (when I was about seven years old), I dreamt of praying by his grave. Regardless of the fact that the gravesite is unmarked, I longed to go there and connect with my brother.

           After twelve years of waiting, I found out that my oldest sister had remembered where in the cemetery Moshe Daniel was buried. (She never said anything because she thought the rest of the family knew.) So I asked her to take me to the site.

          On Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5775, the Sunday between his 21st birthday and yahrtzeit and my own 20th birthday, we went there.

          As I reached the small area that was where all those less than 30 days old are buried, I just sensed where he was and dropped to the floor sobbing. Our souls touched.

           The following poem is dedicated to you, my dear brother and soul mate, Moshe Daniel Roetter:

A mound of dirt, you are buried below,

No headstone, no marker, not even a stone.

I caress the grass so tenderly,

As my soul reconnects to you.

Oh my dear brother Moshe,

How I wish I could have seen your smile.

Oh my dear brother Daniel,

How I wish I could have heard your laugh.

Oh my dear brother Moshe Daniel,

How I wish I could have grown up together with you.

For twenty years, I have only felt your presence,

Now, finally today, we can connect.

On this tiny hill, so simple and pure,

That is where our souls reunite.

Oh my dear brother Moshe,

How I wish you could have been at my bar mitzvah.

Oh my dear brother Daniel,

How I wish you could have danced at family weddings.

Oh my dear brother Moshe Daniel,

How I wish you could have added to our parents’ nachas.

I know that you look down each day,

And smile at each of our siblings’ achievements.

When we laugh together, you chime in,

My life is your life, that’s how it has always been.

Oh my dear brother Moshe,

How I wish you could live life for yourself.

Oh my dear brother Daniel,

How I wish we weren’t so far apart.

Oh my dear brother Moshe Daniel,

How I wish that I could see you just one time.

Tears soak the ground as I say your Psalm,

Softly, I retell our life tale.

Suddenly, the rope connecting us is pulled taut,

You must return to G-d’s Throne; our time is up.

Oh my dear brother Moshe,

I promise I will make you proud.

Oh my dear brother Daniel,

I promise I will live our life to the fullest I can.

Oh my dear brother Moshe Daniel,

I promise I will keep you forever in my heart.

Slowly, I back away,

The hill grows even smaller in the distance.

Yet the connection is not completely severed,

You and I will forever be attached.

The Worst Puzzle

It's shattered into a thousand pieces,

it's the hardest puzzle to create.

It will forever be missing a part,

It's called "A Broken Heart".

Duct Tape just simply won't do,

Bandaids won't last long.

The only real remedy that can mend,

is a hug from your best friend.

Time will pass on by,

the scars won't disappear.

The gaping hole will never fill,

if anything it grows larger still.

Friendship is like a soothing balm,

it helps numb the pain and grief.

They know that you hurt inside,

Together you'll both cry.

Their heart will mold with your own,

and slowly the hug will dissipate.

You notice that half the hole is whole again,

your friend now shares your pain.

In My Mind's Eye

Memories invade my dream,
turning them black as coal.
The horrors of the past are born anew,
I silently scream as it tears at my soul.

In my mind's eye,
I see it all happening once more.
In my mind's eye,
there is no exit door.

My brain takes over,
twisting the story like crazy.
Events that never happened,
seem like they occurred so clearly.

In my mind's eye,
I watch it all with shock.
In my mind's eye,
I want these memories to be blocked.

I toss and I turn all night,
of that I am sure.
I wake up shaking,
is there no cure?

In my mind's eye,
I feel the pain so real.
In my mind's eye,
I review the whole ordeal.

Sometimes it occurs in a daydream,
it seems there's no stopping it.
I'm forced to go back in time,
and watch it all bit by bit.

In my mind's eye,
there are so many stories.
In my mind's eye,
each one gets told in all its glory.

Will I ever sleep peacefully,
is what I do wonder.
When I hear once again the siren's cry,
piercing my world like thunder.

In my mind's eye,
I see the shovel drop the dirt on top.
In my mind's eye,
I pray that the pain will soon stop.

Admit, Repent, Refresh

His eyes are shut tightly,
His heart opens wide.
Tears stream down his cheeks,
Softly he does sigh.

The cry of the shofar echoes loudly in his ear,
begging and beseeching him to amend his ways.
The Ark is open - light glowing from within,
The King sits upon his throne today.

Dear G-d, I know that I have done wrong,
I pray that it can be undone.
I regret all my bad choices, every little thing,
I realize now that it was not worth the fun.

The Shofar cries out my pain loud and clear,
as I stand here in shul sobbing - the tears won't repress.
People stop and wonder - I care not one bit,
I admit I did wrong - now let me refresh.

- - -

All decked in white, we stand amongst each other,
Like angels we sing and we plea.
Scared, we await anxiously,
Father in heaven, what will you decree?

Prayers are whispered,
So softly you can hear the drop of a pin.
Yet, the thud of our hearts echo,
As we remember our sins.

Our tongues are so dry,
Our ankles seem to burn.
We made mistakes just like last year,
Oh, why won't we learn?

The day is finally over,
We have done all that we can do.
The gates are now closed.
Hashem, it is all up to You.

Looking Back Through 5774

I look back on this year in disbelief....
So much has occurred; many life choices have been made. It was definitely a year filled with "Firsts"!
To list just a few, one for each year of my life:
1) I started a business: Dovid's Documents.
2) I went to Israel for 3 MONTHS!
3) I made 48 new siblings - people who helped me in a way i can NEVER repay; people who helped me become who I truly am!
4) I wrote a 27 page booklet entitled: Thought. Dream. Reality.
5) I became involved with Hillel of Metro Detroit.
6) Became Secretary of the Oakland Community College - Jewish Student Organization.
7) Was promoted to President of said organization.
8) Began writing my book: Long Live Which King
9) Started blogging once more: asoulspeakstoyou.blogspot.com
10) Had my introduction to a huge next stage in my life.
11) Am less than a year away from receiving my Associates in Liberal Arts.
12) Begun my application process to the college of my dreams: Michigan State University!
13) Had the courage to be who I am, regardless of thoughts, stares, or whispers.
14) Had a Bar Mitzvah in Israel.
15) Learned 5 different ways a true leader acts.
16) Had an article published in the Detroit Jewish News.
17) Begun learning Chassidus with my 2 oldest nieces; and begun making a Chassidus Workbook.
18) Davened by King David, my namesake, and many other holy people I have heard stories of my entire childhood.
19) Learned to love life for life itself, and to simply make the best of it.

A Priceless Gift

A Priceless Gift
By Dovid Nissan Roetter
(Dedicated to my Taglit-Birthright group, Hillel Bus 1147)

When you feel down, they know how to make you smile.
When things seem wrong, they know how to change it.
When life is overloaded, they know how to ease the work.
When you feel scared and helpless, they know how to comfort you.

You met them just the other day; already you are family.
You can't remember their first name; they hug you nonetheless.
You are shocked at the love they show; it touches you to the core.
You are not judged in the slightest; instead they only help you grow.

A Birthright group is more than just friends.
A Birthright group is not bound by location.
A Birthright group is there no matter what or when.
A Birthright group is a level of family that no one else can reach.

Taglit is more than just a trip.
Taglit is a priceless gift.
Taglit is a way of life.
Taglit is our destiny.

I can never thank you all enough for the life you helped me find.
I can never forget the lessons you have taught me.
I can never forget how you accepted me openly.
I can never forget how you refused to give up on me.

Israel may be far away.
Israel may be but a hope.
Israel may be just a memory.
Israel may be scary at times.
But Israel is what gave me you as my family.

A Wall's Mission - Tisha B'Av at the Kotel

As I sit here on the cold stone floor,

I look up at a wall so very old.

I think back in time to when it was young,

And it had its brothers together with him.

I can see the four siblings standing tall and proud,

Protecting the house that belongs to the One Above.

Suddenly there is a great tremor,

An army of red has breached the city.

It cries out in horror, as it watches them slaughter his three brothers,

And sets the house it swore to protect ablaze.

They attack him from behind,

But he stands tall over them all.

He refuses to bend, to give in,

He will complete his mission or die trying.

He will stand proud for the test of time,

Giving hope to his nation in exile.

As the smoke clears he sees in disbelief,

The remains of his beloved brothers.

He promises the sages that he will not let them die in vain,

He will be right here, waiting for the new Temple to be built.

He swears to hasten the Redemption,

By bring all of our tears straight to G-d.

He will be our middleman,

And deliver our heart’s pleas.

I slowly come back to the present,

And I rise from the ground.

I walk over to the Wall,

And take it in a loving embrace.

I softly whisper that I know how you feel,

For I too have lost a loved one.

And we both will get ours back,

When the Redemption does come.

So stand proud for just a bit longer,

The time is almost ripe.

Together I will stand with you,

Helping you as you help me.

I slowly back away,

From this wall of faith.

I know that soon we will smile together,

As Moshiach reunites us with our loved ones.

Inspiration

“You can only inspire in others what others have previously inspired within you.” ~Dovid N. Roetter

Five Types of Leadership

Five Types of Leadership that I have personally witnessed throughout my stay in Israel. Each one is a very different level. Each one is just as important. Each one is just as difficult to accomplish. Each one is a level of courage I can only dream of achieving.

ALL of them I learned thanks to my Taglit-Birthright Israel: #Hillel #Bus1147 family - Thanks guys.

Type #1
You put aside everything just to help someone.
You care not what your job is; you do what needs to be done.
You show that other people matter more than they realize.
You disregard higher orders due to staying truthful.
Type #2
Nobody respects you, you feel so alone.
You are unsure what to do next, nor to whom to turn.
You decide to show the world that their opinions matter not.
You conquer your dreams; proving that nothing can stop determination.
Type #3
You have the chance to grab a dream anyone would want.
Yet, it means to make someone change everything they hold dear.
You take a stand and decline, this offer that seems so grand.
You will not create your own happiness by stealing another’s.
Especially when the other person does not realize what they may lose.
Type #4
Something embarrassing has occurred; you feel so ashamed.
Yet you look the person in the eye and admit your misdeed.
You choose not to avoid it; you take it like a man.
You learn from your mistakes; and acknowledge errors in your past.
Type #5
No one else is doing it, you are scared out of your mind.
Yet you know this must be done, so you stand alone.
You fight all fears and show that you will not be pressured.
You stand up for what you believe in; even against the entire world.

The Two Sirens

There are two types of sirens that can go off in Jerusalem:
1. The piercing shriek of war that screams its desire for our Jewish blood to seep through even the smallest cracks of Israel's stones.
2. The sweet sound of the city welcoming the Shabbat as one nation, one people, bringing holiness to every soul it touches, its pure music blessing us all with wishes for a peaceful Day of Rest.

Hillel of Metro Detroit: A Community; Not Just a Name

בס"ד

Published by The Detroit Jewish News - April 10, 2014

Hillel of Metro Detroit: A Community; Not Just a Name

            It was towards the end of July, and everything was going rather smoothly. I had moved back home; started classes at Oakland Community College; and was finally starting the beginning of my future. I was happy, yet something didn’t feel right – something was off. I was making friends in class, but I didn't know any Jews on campus. For a school thriving with Jews, I sure couldn't tell.

            About a month into the semester, everything changed. I was running late for class, and I mistakenly entered the wrong building. Suddenly I was staring at the word “Jewish”. I was looking at a flier for the Jewish Student Organization of OCC. ‘Now we are getting somewhere’, I thought to myself. I took one of the contact slips and quickly ran to class.

            I knew I had to look into this organization, so I emailed a message to the then current president, Sophie Lester. Yet, I hesitated, not because I was nervous, but I had a preconceived idea of what Hillel was all about. Really unsure what to do, I decided to email the president and see what would unfold from there.

            When I heard back from Sophie, she informed me that she was glad that I had contacted her and invited me to join the group. Still very biased about what kind of group it was, I asked if we can meet up first so that I can learn more the JSO. I prepared a list of questions for the upcoming meeting.

            Sophie quickly calmed my fears.  She explained that Hillel of Metro Detroit, known as HMD, believe that every Jew should, and must, feel welcome. They go out of their way to ensure that all food is 100% Kosher; any events held on Shabbat will adhere to observant views; and the like.

            Still a little worried, I nevertheless agreed to attend the JSO’s next event, a Bagel Talk. That event changed my whole viewpoint on HMD. We simply talked about what it means to be a Jew, while munching on delicious bagels from Jerusalem Bagel. During the board meeting that followed, I found myself becoming the new secretary of the JSO at OCC.

            For some reason that I cannot explain, I felt at home. Although I kept asking questions (to make sure I wasn’t dreaming) I was constantly reminded that I don’t have to worry about kashrus or Shabbos or anything really. I began to associate a great deal with the JSO and with Hillel of Metro Detroit in general. I now try to attend every event I can; and I do everything in my power to have other Jews at OCC join us.

HMD and the JSO are great ways to meet new people and have a feeling of belonging. Whether it’s volunteering at Yad Ezra or having a blast at Dave & Busters, Hillel of Metro Detroit definitely has enhanced my college experience.  However, a recent event showed me just how beautiful this organization is. On February 2, HMD joined with residents of the Fleischman Senior Home for a “Senior Prom”. It was an afternoon of dancing, singing and laughing, getting to know one another; it was a sight to behold.  

Through this event, I understood the goal of Hillel. HMD is here for the community. If it means spending extra money on 100% Kosher, so that one observant Jew will feel comfortable; it is done.  If it means going out of the way to calm the fears of a young guy who may or may not join their organization; it is done. HMD simply wishes to make the Jewish community of Detroit whole. Young or old, Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform; none of that matters to them. A Jew is a Jew – that’s what is important.

The smiles I saw at the “Senior Prom” made me realize just how glad and proud I am to be able to say that I associate myself with HMD.  They are more than just an organization– they are a community. A community that cares.

Dovid Nissan Roetter is a second year student at Oakland Community College and lives in Oak park, MI.