Simcha Binyomin Loeb a”h

Nearly two weeks ago, on a beautiful Sunday morning, I had the pleasure of distributing chumashim to eager and excited first-graders at our yeshiva’s Haschalas Chumash celebration.

Exactly seven days later – almost to the minute – there I was groping for words as I stood in a local shul delivering a hesped (eulogy) for Simcha Binyomin Loeb a”h, a five-year-old student in our school who passed away after a twenty-month bout with cancer.

I never found the words that I was trying to formulate, that might offer a modicum of comfort and support to his parents and grandparents. Instead, I said a few words to his siblings and expressed how much we had all hoped that he would return to Darchei Noam in good health – but that Hashem, in His infinite wisdom, wanted Refael Chaim Simcha Binyomin in His Heavenly yeshiva instead.

Like his name indicated, Simcha Binyomin exuded simchas hachayim and joy. During his first bout with cancer last year, while tethered to IV tubes in Sloan-Kettering Hospital, he charmed visitors and hospital staff alike with his playful nature and adorable personality. All children have a natural ‘chein’ to them, but Simcha Binyomin seemed to have several measures.

Last year, he only attended our YDN Kindergarten program for a few short weeks due to his illness, but things seemed to be moving in the right direction this summer, and he was registered for and expected to attend our Pre-1A program this school year. Sadly, it was not to be, as the cancer returned with a vengeance and things deteriorated over the course of this year.

Learn well, Simcha Binyomin, and may your pure neshama daven to your Rosh Yeshiva that He comfort your wonderful parents ylc”t Marty and Devorah who loved you so deeply, and were so incredibly devoted to you over the past two years; your siblings Chaya Gitty, Elisha, Shani and Ahuva Bracha; and your extended Loeb and Mindick families – as only He can.

I will be forwarding a link to these lines to the Loeb family members. I am sure that your words of nechama and comfort will be meaningful to them as they end the shiva period later today. You can post them below in the comment section of this post or you can email them directly at martyloeb@yahoo.com.

May we only share besuros tovos (good tidings) together.

Yakov