Leading up to Passover, we are highlighting personal stories from our congregants about their own Exodus journeys: literal and figurative. We hope these stories of immigration or of overcoming personal challenges inspire you to think about your own Exodus tales.

If you would be interested in sharing your story in the future, please reach out to Rabbi Sari Laufer.

Determination Born from Love
by Officer Reggie King

My experience in my own narrow place was one filled with fear but also determination for my dear late mother Lucinda.

My mother suffered a stroke and was faced with no reserves nor life insurance to cover her funeral and burial services that she had wished me to provide for her.

I did not know what to do—however, I was committed to do everything within my power and beyond to try and honor my mother’s wishes.

On March 12, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a nationwide ban on visitation to all healthcare facilities, leaving me unable to be with my mother.

Not long after, my mother’s condition began to decline. The everyday worries about my mother’s condition, when I would be able to see her again, and the new possibility she might be exposed to the COVID-19 virus was unbelievably sad, stressful, and frightening.

On September 12, 2020 my heart shattered into a billion pieces after I was informed that my hero, my best friend, my love everyday, my dear mother Lucinda passed away due to an intracerebral hemorrhage of the brain. Although I was completely devastated about losing my mother, there was no time for me to grieve as my narrow place was now closing.

Thankfully, I had a beautiful community of those I now consider family and friends who all extended their blessings and support to aid me in honoring my mother’s last wishes.

Today, I’m blessed to receive words of encouragement and strength from within our Wise community to help me continue placing one foot in front of the other.

I even wear my mother’s hospital bracelet on my right wrist to honor her memory and 35 years of her fighting in the hospital to remain mentally stable for me.

Read more in our  2021 Haggadah supplement.