Our dear friend, Sheba Penner died
on July 4, 2005. I have just spoken with her daughter, Eve (aka
Rebbetzin, Mrs. Zalman Schachter). Sheba was in Boulder, at the home of Eve and Zalman, where she has
lived during her illness since last August. She was battling with
cancer during this time.
I first met Sheba at the Institute of Noetic Sciences conference
in
San Diego. I believe that was in 1994. She sat down at my table
as I
was just finishing lunch, and we started a conversation. I felt
as
if I were being reacquainted with a very old friend. I, actually,
never left the lunch table until about 4 pm. We were so engrossed
in
conversation.
Sheba was a gifted intuitive. While she specialized in intuitive
medical diagnosis, she was also very good in the area of business
advice. On one occasion in February 1996, she called me out of the
blue -- at a crucial time when Janelle and I were negotiating the
acquisition of our TMI business. She said, "I know you're involved
in an important business deal. And, I need to tell you that you
can
drive a better bargain that you think. Ask for more!" She was right.
It was some of the best advice I have ever received. And, it came
totally out of the blue.
Sheba also was a presenter at one or two of our Intuition Network
conferences...back about ten years ago. She focused on body language
and listening to the body. She was also a dancer (and a belly
dancer) who loved to work with movement.
As I recall, Sheba worked with Jean Houston (who, I think, was a
neighbor of hers in NYC) back in the 1970s. It was Jean, I think,
who first recognized and helped to develop Sheba's intuitive gifts.
As a result of these gifts, Sheba cultivated a deep interest in
the
paranormal. She was also close friends with Stan Krippner.
Not only did Sheba's daughter become a Rebbetzin (i.e., rabbi's
wife), but Sheba also filled this role. Her late husband was Rabbi
Samuel Penner, author of a book called (as I recall) The Four Gates
of Paradise -- an interpretation of Jewish mystical teachings.
I'm sure that many others on this list have fond memories of Sheba.
She was a beautiful soul, who touched many of us. I sense that her
transition to the other side is an occasion for openings of many
kinds among those of us who knew and loved her.
I'm reminded of the time I spent Yom Kippur with Sheba and her
family in Los Angeles. I believe it was in about 1997. The services
were very special and were led by her son-in-law, Reb Zalman (one
of
the foremost, living Chassidic rabbis). Zalman invited the
congregation at UCLA to celebrate the Day of Atonement in an unusual
way. He viewed it as a celebration -- not as a time of chest-
beating, guilt-inducing focus. At one point, during the singing
of a
special song to me, "Avinu Malkhenu," Zalman actually had the
congregation dancing in the isles of the synagogue/UCLA auditorium.
Considering that this is normally a very solemn moment in the
service, this was quite unusual. Sheba and I were next to each
other, probably even holding hands as the dance snaked around.
And, suddenly the veils were lifted and I sensed my connection to
my
Jewish ancestors who had passed over. It was a beautiful, radiant
feeling -- rather beyond my capacity to articulate in mere words.
I'm glad that I was able to share that moment with Sheba, because
we
touched eternity then. And, I know we will always be connected.
Jeffrey Mishlove |