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This Is Page 15 of the Camp Shoshana Guestbook!From:Steve Kolodny - sgkolodny@aol.com Steve Kolodny writes: This starts page #15 of the guestbook. This page begins with, in many ways, an end. Our beloved Sue Rachlin passed away just yesterday. As per Wayne's e-mail (see below) let's devote this page respectfully to our fond memories of her. I took the liberty of copying the e-mails I've gotten into this page. ---Steve K. From:Wayne Belfer - wsbelfer@yahoo.com Wayne Belfer writes: To all, as we all reflect on the sad passing of a great woman Sue Rachlin I think we all should write in this guest book all our thoughts and favorite memories of Sue so she will always be remembered. Lets make her passing not only a day of mourning but a day of remembering what a truly remarkable woman she was to all of us. Wayne
From:roni goodman - ronihead@yahoo.com roni goodman writes: I'm so sorry to hear about Sue's passing. She was the best of the best! I'm so glad we gave her the best reunion ever at our "day of camp". I have tears as I write this... She had a great spirit and remarkable heart, especially for children. Thank g-d for our cd we all have and our memories of the sweetest times ever. Shall we all sing a camp song in memory now. GLENN BELFER & i ALWAYS SING MOMMALA KUMMALA..GOOD=BYE SUE AND THANK YOU FOR FOR A GREAT CHILDHOOD IN HIGHLAND MILLS, NEW YORK.
From:Benzy Kogen - bkogen@jewishsgpv.org Benzy Kogen writes: Hi all! Sorry to be writing a note like this after not seeing so many of you for so many years. I was a camper at Shoshana for 3 summers in the mid-sixties. WOW-- that's an incredibly long time. The news of Sue's passing brings back memories of an insecure first-time camper who got off the bus at Camp and was welcomed so warmly by Sue and Harry. What a welcome and what a camp! I remember Ira Hoffer (sp.?), Sue Lieberman, and only a few others. I remember "Big Irv--" The huge swimming instructor who actually taught so many of us to swim. I live in the Los Angeles area now ... married with three kids (one of whom is married). I've been involved in working for the Jewish community for all of my professional life. May the memory, personality, cheer, and life's work of Sue Rachlin be a blessing to us all! Benzy Kogen
From:Evan Graber - evangraber@gmail.com Evan Graber writes: My condolences to Ellen, Andrew, and their extended family. Sue was a very warm woman. I have very fond memories of my brief time at Shoshana, thanks to Sue and Harry and their "creation". I will have her in my thoughts and prayers. Regards to all- Evan Graber
From:Dawn Kitz - DNKW@aol.com Dawn Kitz writes: What sad news. I was also a camper in the 60's, starting out in the Little House. I have very fond memories of Sue, as well as Harry. My condolences to the Rachlin family. Dawn Kitz
From:Gerri Marcus Smith - gerrijeff@hotmail.com Gerri Marcus Smith writes: Hello everyone- Ellen, Andrew and families, I am so sorry for you. I hope that you will lean on others now for strength and love. May the memories of your mom bring a smile to your face when the tears seem like they will never end. I wish I could say something to make this easier, but know that you are thought of and your mom will be remembered (as is Harry). Lots of Love, Gerri Marcus (Smith).
From:Brad Wiener - bdwmd@aol.com Brad Wiener writes: Steve, Besides being extremely sad by your news, I'm a little freaked out right now. On Friday, I was talking to a patient of mine about the Camp Shoshana experience and how, after 30 years, so many people came together for a reunion. I credited Sue and Harry with that. Somehow, I hope those warm thoughts got to her before she passed. I will try to make it on Monday. Brad Wiener
From:Laura Allen Sherry - lsherry642@aol.com Laura Allen Sherry writes: I'm so very sad hearing the news of Sue's passing. Thank you so very much for your passing the information along to inform us all. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help the family, and our Camp Shoshana friends. I work for Jewish National Fund (JNF) in large part due to the connection to my Judaism which were creating by the wonderful experience with Sue and Harry and the joyous and warm Jewish environment they created for us all. Thanks so much Steve. Warmest regards, Laura
From:Wendy Lesser Korsunsky - wendykorsunsky@me.com Wendy Lesser Korsunsky writes: Here is a message I received from my Mom and she asked me to forward it: You said it all Sue was a very special person as we always said she was an inspiration for all of you kids. I don't think any children in the larger camps, day and sleep away would have the special warmth, understanding, compassion, and closeness that you all received from Harry and Sue. They were a part of your foundation for your future, we will never forget Sue she will be sadly missed.
From:Amy Freisleben - amyfreisleben@yahoo.com Amy Freisleben writes: I am so very sorry to hear about Sue's passing. Like so many of you, I attended Camp Shoshana for several summers in the mid-60's, with my older brother Eric. We both remember the warmth of the camp, and the remarkable leadership of Harry and Sue. We remember the seemingly elaborate summer production of the Mikado's "Lord High Executioner," and I think there was also a production of South Pacific. Does anyone else remember that? Eric and I also recall a song created by some senior campers, sung to the tune of a Doctor Zhivago song, "Some years from now, when we are parents too, think back at Harry and at Sue. They understand their kids, don't reprimand their kids......" Does anyone else remember that song and the rest of the words, and who created it? I'm living in the Los Angeles area, but would certainly attend the funeral if I was on the east coast. My deep condolences to Sue's family and dear friends, and to all of my former camp friends, I wish you all well. - Amy
From:Ira Presser - ira818@aol.com Ira Presser writes: Hi all. It's been quite some time since I was on this site. I and a few others were at the funeral today. Sitting there I was thinking of my younger days and the more I thought about it, I realized that time is indeed short and time does go by so quickly. I consider myself very fortunate to have known Sue and Harry. Today, Steve Kolodny, Wayne Belfer, Stacy Halio, Barbara Greenwald, Artie Albstein and myself were talking about having a day somewhere in Sue's honor. I will gladly help organize this. It would be our way of saying THANK YOU to both Sue and Harry for creating a camp called Shoshana and all the great memories we all have from those days so long ago.
From:Bruce Richland - RichlandLaw@aol.com Bruce Richland writes: Sorry to hear about Sue....Her memory will live on in all of us; what greater testimony is there than that?
From:Steven Kolodny - sgkolodny@aol.com Steven Kolodny writes: Also visit The New York Times Susan Rachlin tribute page. How how she loved The New York Times.
From:Barbara Hollander - mnd1354@yahoo.com Barbara Hollander writes: Ellen, Andrew and family members, I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. Sue gave us wonderful memories to last us an eternity because of her dedication and love for children. It takes a special person to do all that she did. With heartfelt sympathy, Barbara Hollander
From:Ellen Bochner - elgebo@aol.com Ellen Bochner writes: It's hard to believe Sue is gone. She touched all of our lives and those of countless others. Even though she dealt with hundreds of people on any given day, think about how she reached each one of us on an individual level, nurturing each one of our individual personalities and talents. I think hers was a life well-lived, and I'm very grateful to have known Sue. Ellen Bochner
From:Randi Bochner - DoubleR720@aol.com Randi Bochner writes: Fortunately, Sue got to see the fruits of her and Harry's labor at the big reunion a few years ago, and she knew that she and Harry touched many lives, both back in the camp days, and now, 30 + years later. My condolences to Ellen, Andrew, and their families, as well as to the Camp Shoshana family. I will always remember "In English, the word is Peace." -Randi Bochner
From:Celeste Coruzzi - ccoruzzi@aol.com Celeste Coruzzi writes: To the Rachlin family and extended Shoshana family, Like the many others, I too extend my deepest sympathy and condolences. Sue as we all quickly came to know her in those brief months in upstate NY, was a truly wonderful spirit, a convener of people, an influencer - certainly a leader. She really knew how to bring a community of individuals together. These are lessons we all learned from her and continue to express because of her early impact on our lives. She will be missed by many. Celeste
From:Diane Margolin - dimike1@comcast.net Diane Margolin writes: To the Rachlin Family and the larger Shonshana Family, As we prepare to say good bye to Susan Rachlin today, have no fear that she will be remembered. While I guessed the sad news Steve was to reveal in his email yesterday, my breath caught and my eyes filled as I read his words. In the plainest terms and like many campers, I loved Susan Rachlin. Camp Shoshana's magic was fueled by that love and the love Sue had for all of us. Today we share sadness, but without any doubt that Sue and Harry will be with us always. Sincerely, Diane Margolin
From:Sharon Kolodny Sobel - srsobel13@yahoo.com Sharon Kolodny Sobel writes: Dear Friends, I still marvel at the dynamic of Camp Shoshana, where Sue and Harry had challenges coming at them at a moment's notice and from all directions. Bee stings, broken arms and strep throat were nothing to having to manage children (and most of the counselors were no more than that) educating other children. There were slip-ups, to be sure, but in some ways we all grew up together. The things our own parents taught us were further nurtured at Shoshana - which was, for many of us, our first job. I've missed Harry and Sue all these years, but they are still very much with us. I only worked at Shoshana for two summers, so have not nearly the longevity of many of you. But then, forty years ago this May I met Ken Sobel at the camp orientation. So, I guess that's longevity of another sort - with Camp Shoshana to thank! My sympathies to Ellen and Andrew and your families. And love and regards to you all. Sharon Kolodny Sobel
From:Lori Heyman Rosen - Samibran2@aol.com Lori Heyman Rosen writes: So sad to hear the news about Sue. It conjured up so many wonderful memories for me. I picture Sue at Camp Shoshana playing the piano with a big smile on her face. Think about how may plays she put together for us at camp. (we can't forget "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" and "Peter Pan"). Sue made Friday services fun for all the campers. I can still hear her singing"I'm going to teach you a new word today so repeat after me and say" and "Bim -Bom..." What camp but ours had a"Cool Room " that was so much fun!! (and an Indian Trail that was even better!) She made each and every one of feel loved and secure. Some of the best times in my life were created at this wonderful camp and it is truly a tribute to Sue and Harry. My heart goes out to the Rachlin family. Sue was truly an amazing person and she touched all our lives. She will be in our hearts always... Lori Rosen (Lori Heyman)
From:Fred Jaffe - Jaffefregorjaf@aol.com Fred Jaffe writes: In answer to Amy Freisleben's question, Ellen Cohen wrote the words to the song you were wondering about, the tune of which I think was from a song from The Exodus (not Doctor Zhivago), and it was written as part of the competion at the end of a color war one summer (where teams were supposed to create and sing a camp song at the end of the color war, against the opposing team for points), and if I remember correctly, I was on Ellen's team, and it won the song competition and helped us win the color war. But one thing that Sue and Harry taught us was about sportsmanship, and that winning and losing is not the important thing, but it's--as I'm sure many of you remember--to "play fair," and that's only one of the many great things we learned from attending that great camp. I want to reiterate what Randi Bochner mentioned, and that's the fact that just prior to the reuniting of the camp members, Sue had been feeling depressed about not having done anything of value in her life, until, one by one, we were all located, and the big reunion, the smaller get-togethers, and this website were created to most definitely prove her wrong. Finally, I'd like to echo the sentiments noted by Bruce Richland, Barbara Hollander, and I know all of us, and that is--and like Roni, I'm starting to cry as I write this--that not a day goes by when I don't think of Sue, Harry, and all the great people and times we had at Camp Shoshana, and I know that this will continue, every day, for as long as I live.
From:Robin Cohen - joalar3@aol.com Robin Cohen writes: I only went to Camp Shoshana for 2 years in 1967 & 1968 but have very fond and vivid memories. Sue and Harry embraced each of us as if we were family and in a sense we were. It was such a wholesome place to be a kid. Uncle Irv helped me with my fear of swimming-thanks! I remember the Friday services and playing Yum Yum in The Mikado. I met some great people there and had great fun meeting up with some at the Florida reunion 4 years ago. My sincere sympathy to Ellen and Andrew. You have wonderful memories to fill the rest of your lives. Robin Cohen
From:Harold Richland - rchlndaprsls@earthlink.net Harold Richland writes: AT TIMES LIKE THIS IT'S HARD TO EXPRESS IN WORDS ALONE MY HEARTS DIRE DISTRESS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS WE ALL STARTED THE DAY WITH HARRY AND SUE THE MEMORY LASTS 'TIL TODAY BUT IT'S NOT REALLY THE END OF 2 LIVES WELL LIVED FOR THROUGH THIER LIFE LESSONS WE ALL CONTINUE TO GIVE IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO EVERY PART OF THIS COUNTRY I CAN STILL HEAR HARRY YELL "WOULD YOU PLEASE PLAY FAIR WITH ME" AND SUSAN WOULD PLAY THAT PIANO FOR SURE SHE WAS THE ROCK, THE ANCHOR AND A MOTHER TO US ALL IT IS SAID WITH SOME TRUTH THAT THE DEAD NEED NOT DIE 'CAUSE IF YOU SPEAK THEIR NAMES THEIR HEART WILL SPARKLE IN YOUR EYE SO IT IS WITH GREAT APPRECIATION FOR THE LIFE FREINDS I DID MEET AT A CAMELOT CALLED CAMP SHOSHANA AND THE FABULOUS SUSAN AND HARRY!!! thank you Sue, thank you Harry!! Harold
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