He showed me a small prayer book that was his father’s. It was no larger than a deck of cards and obviously well-loved. I opened the pages carefully and asked if he prayed. He said in the afternoons.

As I was preparing to leave, he said he wanted to show me something. He slowly wheeled himself over to the closet. It took him a few times to be able to get his fingers around the door handle. Amongst his clothing and possessions he removed a beautiful large tallit.

He really wants to attend services. He thinks his son can drive him. I said if his son calls me, I can help him find out the service times at the various congregations.

I finished at that facility and drove back to my office. As I responded to emails I was quietly reflecting upon my morning. And then it occurred to me. It was as clear as I imagined the “techelet” tzit-tzit once was. If he didn’t go to services soon, the next time his tallit would be used would be to drape him in his burial attire.

As I write this I am feeling unsettled. The mitzvot were lovingly given to us to live by them. This resident is asking to live! He wants to join Klal Yisrael and daven and sing! In an age where congregations are doing all they can to encourage people to attend services, we are overlooking the obvious. The synagogue is important to this man. Prayer is a part of his life. Moreover, he needs to be surrounded by like-minded Jews.

The question is, how do we get him and his tallit to services?