Rabbi Leah Novick

Welcome to Reb Leah's CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support, hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.  

December 25, 2016
Rabbi Leah wants to thank people for their prayers and blessings and assistance as she continues to heal.     She is extremely grateful to everyone for your love and support. 

 R. Leah had full  right knee replacement surgery on December 21st at Dominician Hospital.  She was transferred to Pacific Coast Manor, 1935 Warf Rd. on December 24th.  

Due to the holiday  there were a few bumps in the road in making the transition from the hospital to rehab as much of the services were limited due to the holidays (meeting with dietician, physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.).  However, R. Leah is in on the road to recovering, using her walker in the hallways and enjoying visits from her beloved community.  

 Below are some of her current wishes.   To sign up for a visit and food kindly click on "ways to help" under Rabbi Leah's name.  Then click on "planner" to view the calendar.  Feel free to send Rabbi Leah your messages and well-wishes below.


Leah would love  joyous visits with music, singing, mediating and lighting Hanukah candles.  The best times are around lunch(early afternoon)  or especially around dinner (early evening).  Please consider bringing food from her wish list. (see below) as she is Kosher.    Kindly  sign up on the Caring Bridge calendar for your convenience.

In addition:
We are in need of 1-2 people who would act as a central point person for R. Leah.  Someone who can stay in contract with Leah as well as act as a community liaison updating people on R. Leah's condition on the "Caring Bridge Journal" as well as her email group.  


Rabbi Leah may need a backup plan -staying with someone in the Santa Cruz area for 3-5 days after she is discharged from rehab.  If you are available please let us know.


Monterey Friends: Please note: You will have plenty of time to help when she returns please do not feel obligated to drive to Santa Cruz.  She knows you love her. 

Food Wishes:  
       R. Leah is mostly a vegetarian but does eats fish (salmon, snapper, but no shell fish please).  She is Kosher. She does not eat  milk, gluten or fruit juice.  She likes herbal teas, good black coffee in the morning and decaf after that.  She likes room temperature water only.    She likes all kinds of vegetables (especially asparagus, broccolini, peppers.) She likes salad but not creamy dressings.  She loves fresh fruit, especially apples, cantaloupe, berries, persimmon,and banana.  She does eat cheese. 
      She also likes quinoa, kasha and rice noodles.  She likes spicy food, Thai, and  Indian food especially.   She likes soups, hummus with gluten-free crackers and/or bread. R. Leah likes dark chocolate but please no cake or cookies unless they are gluten free and very low sugar. 

There is a refrigerator she can use here. 

Please feel free to send your messages on CaringBridge.  

Notes taken by Leah Kushner on December 25, 2016.  Thanks everyone for your support and love