recommendation - rabbi levin
TRANSCRIPT
From: Mark Levin [email protected]: recommendation
Date: February 4, 2015 at 11:27 AMTo: Matt Golden [email protected]
Recommendation for Matthew Golden
To Whom It May Concern:
In my four decades as a pulpit rabbi, having taught literally thousands of teenagers, I can say that Matthew Golden is a completely unique manwith a singular background. I have been involved with Mr. Golden most of his life, having discussed Matthew's issues with his mother duringthe time Matthew was in pre-school. When Mr. Golden was born there was not yet a medical solution for his heart problem, but it waspredicted that one would be developed in time to save his life. Indeed, in elementary school Matthew underwent a very long and serioussurgery to repair his defective heart. Later, Mr. Golden underwent equally serious surgery on his spine to enable him to hold his head up, andnow he faces a possible heart transplant to enable him to live a normal lifespan. Indeed, Mr. Golden is the only young man I have ever workedwith who has faced issues of his own mortality forthrightly during his entire life. That he has survived and thrived both physically and mentallyis a testimony to his creativity and fortitude.
After Mr. Golden's heart attack while a student at George Washington University, he returned home for extensive recuperation. After hishospitalization and while he was a student locally at Johnson County Community College, Mr. Golden and I met several times a month fordiscussions of his personal and existential issues. He is a highly intelligent young man, with a unique perspective on the world because of hissingular life history. Simply put, he has both a typical perspective on the aspirations of young people and, simultaneously, a unique point ofview as a result of his personal physical challenges. Not knowing how long one is going to live, particularly a person so young, can be verydistracting to studies. Yet, Matthew is a pleasure to be around and very thoughtful in conversation. He has been successful in school and ismoving ahead toward a career. He has challenged why life is worthwhile when one's health is so precarious. Matthew has spent part of his lifeas an outlier in society, and understands the issues from a deeply personal perspective, always growing. He has a very good nature and akind heart, desiring to live just like his peers, yet understanding that his particular viewpoint on life gives him a comprehension that othersmight envy. He certainly has an exceptional perspective on what it means to have to struggle to lead a "normal" teen life socially andphysically. He possesses a dry sense of humor, and a discipline toward personal trials that others will never encounter let alone overcomeregarding what it takes to succeed when confronted by life-threatening obstacles.
Matthew has both life experience and volunteer experience working with people with disabilities, at George Washington University and atChildren's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. He is very likable, and engages in conversation easily. He possesses both strong opinions and aparticular charm with friends. He also listens and changes his views over time, learning and adapting constantly to new situations. He will dovery well working with people with disabilities.
If you would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me by email or by phone.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Mark H. Levin, D.H.L., D.D.
-- Rabbi Mark H. Levin, DHL8821 Delmar StreetPrairie Village, KS 66207913 558 4111 cell