Irma Lopes Cardozo-Robles de Medina 1924-2016In 2008, I was introduced to Mrs. Cardozo-Robles de Medina by R’Ira Rodhes. I had just moved to New Jersey and wanted to connect with the Spanish-Portuguese community in New York. I remember that Shabbath in September when I met her. R’Rodhes told her that I was a fellow Sepharadi with roots in Curação. She was elated to know that I was active on behalf fo the Gente da Nação in Miami. She was so grateful and invited me to her residence, which was adjacent to the esnoga. Upon arriving to her home, she handed me 2 books and 2 cd’s—recordings of her deceased husband, Rev. Abraham Lopes-Cardozo. I remember seeing his piano and asked if I could play a couple of notes. I did play a soft melody and felt honored to touch those keys. During my full-time service as the leader of the Sepharadi community in the Dominican Republic (2009-2013), I would play the cd’s throughout the week and teach the melodies to the congregants. Those that could read music also learned to chant our wonderful table songs for festive occasions. Thanks to her gesture, the Spanish-Portuguese liturgy lives on in the hearts and lips of the remnant of the Nação in the Dominican Republic.Everytime that I would visit New York, I made sure to visit Mrs. Cardozo. She would always grace me with a smile. To my dismay, upon my last visit to Shearith Israel in 2015 (Rosh HaShannah), I noticed that something was different. I was aghast at the fact that she did not recognize me. I asked my self, “How could this be?” It was as if I we had never met. Then, I accepted the undeniable and inevitable reality of Alzheimer’s disease. At that moment, I took it upon myself to cherish the wonderful moments that I had experienced with Mrs. Cardozo, and continue to burn ablaze for the Nação. I will miss you Senhora. Muito Obrigado.Que Sua Bendita Alma Goze de Eterna Gloria.Amen26 Heshwan 5777(November 27, 2016)Yehonatan Elazar-DeMota