I was reading Old First, Reverend Doctor Daniel Meeter’s blog, and came across this post by Heather Johnston about Karen  Rothman-Fried’s memorial service at Beth Elohim on November 19th. Here is an excerpt:

A young 3rd grade teacher at 321, Karen Rothman-Fried, died
suddenly on Sunday of what might have been a cerebral aneurism (note: an autopsy revealed that it was not an aneurism). She was
6 months pregnant and her unborn son died as well.

PS
321, with Principal Liz Phillips at the helm, responded beautifully.
Should you ever doubt the spirit and leadership of that school, don’t.
It is an extraordinary community I am proud to be part of.

I
attended the service at Temple Beth Elohim today (November 19). She
never taught my girls, but because it is a small world, my mother is
quite friendly with Karen’s mother in Florida. They play bridge several
times a week. Mrs. Rothman was so excited about her daughter’s recent
marriage and pregnancy, they were over the moon with joy. I just wanted
to share how perfect I thought the service was.

Your
collegue, the rabbi of Beth Elohim, did a wonderful job in sheparding
the family and the mourners. As a Christian, I found the service
particularly comforting. It’s a wonderful thing to feel comforted by
another’s tradition. We are all connected. When her brother-in-law
raged at the injustice of her death and then pivoted so quickly to the
meaning of her life, I felt so gratified.

Karen was a passionate, free spirit and committed teacher. He
reminded us to honor her memory the next time we are offered the
blessing to do something spontaneous.

Karen’s
husband, Andrew Fried, was devastated at the service. This was the love
of his life, and his first child. He comes from a strong and good
family, as does she. They will need each other. But when Andrew Fried,
broken and in tears, delivered the W.H. Auden poem, Stop All The Clocks, at the end of the service, it was a moment like I’ve never seen.