In Loving Memory of Our Beloved Dad

We were told that being erev rosh chodesh we are not suppose to have a hesped. We could not accept this. So we will say just a few short words. To be honest, I am not really sure what to say. What do you say about somebody who is your Abba, Rebbe, … best friend. Dad the ultimate mitzvah in the torah is kibud av vaem. It is right up there with anochi hashem elokecha. Throughout life I have tried to fulfill this mitvah to its fullest I apologize and ask for your mechila if I have failed at all in this respect. Even before making aliyah with Vicki in 1992 I spoke with you about my concern leaving you. You said - “Avi, this is how we raised you. It is not like you are moving to Europe. You are moving to Eretz Yisroel. “ Several years ago we had a conversation during which I told you “dad, I really need to say thank you. I never realized what goes into being a parent.” Thank you dad for always being there for us. Thank you for all the times you insisted that we go over my gemara, kriat hatora, math. You always managed to come to our basketball games even the away games. This is not an easy task with four kids playing. If there was a problem in school you were always the first to be in the principal’s office. I try to raise my kids according to the values and priorities which you have instilled in us. Two years ago, little did Vicki and I know that we were about to be hit with a family tragedy that will change our lives. We are not allowed to complain. Chazal says that we must bless Hashem for the good and for the bad. We accepted the decree brought on to eitan. It was a long two years. My goal was to give Eitan the best of what he needed and to keep our family together. People would comment to me about how strong I am. I only kept it together because of you dad. Almost every day you would call. Of course you would always start out in your humble way and say “Avi, sorry to bother you.” After a few minutes of speaking with you during which there was always a mamaar chazal I was like a new person. For this I cannot thank you enough. You and mom made aliyah on June 23. That day was the last day we know that eitan has had a day seizure. Soon after his night seizures stopped. Chazal say that every jew who comes to eretz hakedosha brings extra mazel to the jewish people. Some explain this as refua. To you mom I must say that you are a superwoman and you and dad were a super couple. Not many people would move here with the illness that dad had. Yet you packed up a house with all the headaches and made it here. You were so dedicated to him - running around to get his medication, trying to get him to eat. To my siblings I must say that many families fall apart in a situation like this. It is very easy to have disagreements which tear families apart. In our case we have become much closer. Each one did whatever they could to help dad and mom and to make the situation a little easier. Dad was very proud of this unity. Dad - you had a nasty illness but you never complained. You were frustrated. You just wanted to live and go on but you never complained. I used to take you to the hospital and watch as you lifted your leg into the car because it was so weak but all you would say was “how are the kids? How is vicki?” You are an inspiration and shining example to all who know you. I love you! Tehai nishmaso tzerurah btzror hachaim

The first time I heard my father in law speak publicly was before I even met Elaine. He was speaking in the White Shul on behalf of his Yeshiva, YU. At that time he had been the Baal Koreh in the shul for many years. He opened his remarks by saying “every Shabbos I come to you with the perfect words of Torah. Please forgive me for coming to you today with my own imperfect words”. I ask for the same forgiveness from you today. Nonetheless, I can think of no more appropriate way to speak about you than to start with the words that we heard you lein so often. Daber el bnai yisroel veyikchi li terumah. Chazal ask: why veyikchu li - take for me terumah. It should say veyitnu li - GIVE terumah. For almost 25 years you’ve been teaching me, and you did so even in your petirah. Early this morning I learned a new p’shat in this Pasuk. Sometimes G-d comes and just takes his terumah. Early this morning G-d came and took his terumah from this family. And He took b’ayin yafeh. If we would be the baalim we would nullify the deal because You took too much. But we know -because our father taught us- that we are not the baalim. YOU are. Chazal tell us that if one wants to cling to Hashem he should imitate His ways: mah hu rachum af atah rachum. Ma hu mevaker cholim af ata mevaker cholim. There was one way of G-d in which my father in law fell woefully short in imitating. Hashem nasan vashem lakach. My father in law didn’t even know the meaning of lakach. He wouldn’t take gifts, he wouldn’t take help. He’d even apologize if he thought he was taking your time. (Yesurin memarkin es hachait. His greatest yesurin were not the physical pains. It was the fact that he had to take from us. Finally. After all these years. And though we hated the circumstances, how we loved being able to give a little something back to you.) Chazal explain that the word veyikchu is used because when one gives they actually get more than they give. This epitomized my father in law. He wanted to take care of everything for everyone else. If he could work and sweat so someone else didn’t have to - that’s what made him happiest. Veyikchu li - Rashi says: lishmi. Everything my father in law did was lishmah. He if felt something was the right thing to do, he did it. If it wasn’t right, he didn’t do it. It was that simple. There was never any thought of honor or glory. Just yashar. Many years ago, I heard Rabbi Pelcowitz explain that the next world is similar to this one. When a child enters this world, it enters with a lot of crying. But not long after, he realizes that things are ok here. So too, when one enters the next world, there is a lot of crying but soon after, one realizes his place tachas canfei hashechinah. I can’t imagine the joy your mother is going to feel hugging the little boy she never got to hug. Then sending you off to the beis medrash in shamayim where you will sit down bechavrusa with your beloved brother and loving father to prepare for a shiur given by your beloved Rebbi, the Rav. All the time watching over the treasures you left behind: the wonderful children who you raised and your beautiful grandchildren whose weddings you will miss. I know there was only one thing that you were really worried about. So I ASSURE you, we will all take care of Mom. And we will all take care of each other and carry on the derech that you taught us all. T’hei nishmaso tzerurah btzror hachaim.

Daddy, for the first four weeks that you were in the hospital, we all made a great effort to avoid the hospital psychologist, because none of us wanted to talk about our feelings. Finally, she cornered me one day, in your room, while I was giving you some physical therapy. She emphasized to me the importance of spending time: TALKING TO YOU, THANKING YOU, ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS and SAYING GOODBYE. She stated that many families are not afforded this very special opportunity. So I spent the next week harassing the rest or your children, to follow the psychologist’s advice. TALKING TO YOU: daddy, when I talk to you about our life together, I am immediately transformed back into a small child , holding your hand…I wouldn’t say walking to shul…more like flying, because I don’t think my feet ever touched the ground. I loved sitting next to you in shul for davening,and kriyat hatorah. You patiently said every word of kiddushah with me. As I grew older I had the privilege of listening to your beautiful and impeccable layning each Shabbat in shul. I felt so proud of your davening and shofar blowing on rosh hashanna and yom kippur. You made shul meaningful to me, even as a small child. I remember so vividly sitting with you Sunday afternoon at the kitchen table, with a pot of spaghetti…talking and laughing for hours. In high school, when I played on the basketball team, you were my biggest fan and cheerleader. You were present at every game, and traveled on the bus to all of the away games. I was able to talk to you about anything. You always gave me your undivided attention, no matter how late into the night our conversations would run. When I was studying P.T. at NYU, you always knew when I was just too tired to take the train back to school Sunday evening,.You’ d say “come on Layah, let me drive you back”…boy did I appreciate it. You taught your children by way of example, the definition of FAIR. You raised 6 children, and there was no favoritism shown. ALL felt equally loved…equal attention was given to us all. After Shmuel and I made aliyah, we so looked forward to your visits. Zohar and Moreeya would stand on the mirpeset eagerly awaiting your and grandma’s arrival. Akiva and Nideev would spend hours sitting with you talking, joking and laughing. They often tell me how they cherished those times…how much they miss you. When you and mommy made aliyah, we had the privilege of having you stay with us for a few weeks, until your apartment in yerushalayim was ready. I’ll never forget how disappointed Anael was when discovered that you and grandma would be moving into your own apartment. She said to me “I don’t understand, I thought grandma and zaidy would be living with us forever! There were times when you felt so weak, you could barely lift your head up. Yet, when the girls would come home from school, you’d make every effort to lift your head up and greet them. I can hear you saying “hey Zochie…how ya doing MOreeya”. G-d bless Shmuel, he would not let up with jokes, costumes and old old Y.U. stories that YOU had told him. He would persevere until he was successful in eliciting a smile and laugh from you. At times it was so difficult for you to eat, yet somehow Akiva and Nideev would succeed in cooking something with just the right smell to entice you into the kitchen. There you would join them and ultimately eat. For 8 MONTHS you were surrounded constantly by children and grandchildren who loved you. I think in some way, it made up for the 8 YEARS that I lived in eretz yisrael before you made aliyah. THANK YOU: Thank you for life! Thank you for giving me a love for learning torah. As a child, whenever I had a question, you not only answered it, but took the time to open the gemara or mishna and learn with me the original source. Thank you for giving me a love of eretz yisrael. Thank you for always being there for me, in the most difficult times in my life. You supported me in ways that no one else could. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to perform kibud av . You got terribly sick right before making aliyah. It would have been totally legitimate for you to cancel or postpone you aliyah plans…but you didn’t. You insisted on going through with the sale of the house and making aliyah. Aside from the joy of finally making aliyah, I know that you never would have left mommy with task of selling and packing up the house. You were determined to get to eretz yisrael with mommy and see her settled. So consistent with how you always took care of your family. Thank you for teaching me how to be a devoted parent; you were a super role model. FORGIVENESS: Daddy, I ask you for mechilla, for all of the times that I was lacking in kibud av. I’m sorry if I pushed too hard with the P.T. and exercise. You were so frustrated with your weakness, I so wanted to help you get stronger and walking. And finally the GOODBYE, which I admit I could not do, while you were in the hospital. How does a child say goodbye to her father? And so “Chayav haadam livarech al hara kishem shehoo mivarech al hatov..” I am forced now to say goodbye. Daddy, I miss you so much! I see you in every room of my house…I hear you humming(deedada) in my kitchen, as I clean up late at night and so miss your company, assistance and puttering. I hear you singing shalom Aleichem at my Shabbat table, see you making Kiddush and can’t enter shul without hearing your layning. You leave a void in our lives that at times is excruciating! Yet, As I say goodbye, I am certain that I could not think of a more suitable MELITZ YOSHER for our family and all of klal yisrael. I love you Daddy.

Ohr zaruah Latzadik ooliyishra Layv Simcha-The seeds are sowed for the righteous and for the upright in heart- JOY We usher in Yom Kippur - at the beginning of kol nidrei with this statement. Question is- after asseret yimai teshuva- why not start off yom kippur with something that would seem more connected to teshuva and tefillah? If one went through the yomim noraim and were in a state of Teshuva & Tefillah- then by Yom kippur- one achieved the level of tzaddik. Seeds are sown for this tzaddik who has done good deeds- but he can’t always enjoy- for fear of not having conquered his yetzer harah- and so one need to attain the level of upright- confident in one’s actions- yishrei lev- that -then brings the level of joy- Simcha. To reach this type of Simcha- to get to this level- perhaps it can only be attained on one of the critical junctures in one’s life: Yom Kippur- being one, birth, Bnei Mitzvah, Wedding day, and the last day of a person’s life. The Rambam tells us that a person is considered a tzaddik if: 1-they win a judgement, 2- they have more mitzvoth then aveirot, 3-the quality of their mitzvoth is more impressive than the quantity. We all know- ayn tzaddik baaretz asher lo echete: So I will not tell you that my father has never sinned. I also- cannot judge the quantity- of Dad’s mitzvoth- although surely they were plentiful and abundant. But for sure I’ve witnessed qualitatively how my father was- until the end of his life- and so I say to my father-as I’m sure he is hearing me now- ohr zarua Latzadik Ilyishraleyv simcha. . Chazal tell us that Yaakov aveinu was mitpallel to hakadosh baruch who for the concept of illness before death. The idea being that one should not just expire one day without notice- but have the time through one’s sickness- to reflect make closures , have time to repent do teshuvah- before going to the olam Haemet. I think that these, last 2 years- this time- that Dad had- throughout his illness- as painful as it’s been for all of us- mostly Mommy- I believe that Daddy had his time to have those seeds sown- like the gadol he was- Our hope was that those seeds were sown upon my parents aliyah- and that the yishrei lev- would be the rest of your lives- living out their golden years in Eretz yisroel. But unfortunately hakadosh Baruch who had other plans for dad to bring him to Shamayim-and as the end was passive for him- it had to have been his time of yishrei lev- as he was probably preparing to meet Hashem in Shamayim. In this light I feel tremendous Hakarat hatov to Hakadosh baruch- and to all doctors- nurses-technicians, friends, and loved ones from both sides of the ocean, who were supportive in every way- sustaining my father for his allotted time. To my Mom who was by his side until the end- words cannot describe how much you did for daddy- to care- nurture- and nurse him- all while setting up your home- taking ulpan aleph- and going through your klitah. I am in awe of -my siblings Elaine, Lisa, Avi, Zehava & Zalman- How you have given 24/7 selflessly to anything Daddy has ever needed. YourKibud av vaem was remarkable. We have been a real team all of us- only this wasn’t the victory we had hoped for. But as Daddy always taught us- it’s how you play the game. I recall many times since Aliyah- driving Daddy somewhere- and him feeling so upset- and telling me how terrible he feels that everyone has to do for him. He would say how much he appreciates mommy- and how he feels that she does not realize how appreciated she is. Then he would say- you guys are not my Shamis. And I would say- correct Dad- you are our father. All your life you’ve done for us- now let us do something back. I suppose then Hakarat HAtov- again to Hashem- for the opportunity to do the kibbud av viem - that I honestly wish we didn’t need to full fill. But- I am faced with a real challenge in the next few minutes of trying to describe and depict- a remarkable person -to people who never met him, to reminisce and inspire those who might have known him- - or loved him as much as we have. My father was a giant- a gadol in my life. Perhaps I can transmit the incredible pain and devastation that I am feeling. I think a way to begin is to tell you- that my father was not a rich man- or a man of many means by the strict interpretation of the word. And yet my Dad was a very rich man- and a man with more means than anyone else I ever knew. -Would be a good theme for the depiction of my father.איזהו עשיר השמח בחלקו- Who is the wealthy person- the one who is happy with his lot. This Mishna from Masechet Avot- depicts the life of my father. My father was a man who was always satisfied with what he had- and never seeked out more himself- ever. To say that my father never complained would be completely untrue. In fact at times we joked that his complaints were too much. But you see- his complaints were never about himself. He was Sameach bichelko- but never could rest in the misfortune and injustices of others- . Perhaps we can relate to my father in the various roles that he so faithfully served. My father was a son, brother, student, husband, father, teacher, rav, zaydie, friend, activist-Oleh Chadash- and so much more. We know- one of the greatest joys in life is the birth of a child. My father was born on a lovely spring day on May 13, 1936. Only to have tragedy as 4 days later became the yarhtzeit of his beloved Mother- who died from a post partum infection- today 100% treatable with antibiotics. This tragedy was too much for my Zaide to bear-Hence My father was named Yerachmiel Binyamin. My father’s father- Zaydie Zalman was too filled with grief to care for my father and so my father was placed in an orphanage for the first 2 crucial years of his life. Eventually my Zaide remarried my Bubbye Libbye- who was the only mother my father ever knew. Together- they raised m y father along with his older brother zichrono livracha-- and his soon to be born youngest brother. YBW was raised in Bensonhurst NY-in a very traditional lifestyle- in a torah home-where he always saw my Zaydie learning- during any free time that he had. Dad was a dutiful son- who had great awe and respect for his own father. Dad was a flaming redhead. He had a great sense of humor and was a very good athlete. - The general lifestyle rubbed off on my father where he was always Koveyah eetim latorah-something he impressed upon all of us children. Dad was a talmid chacham, a baal koreh par excellence, and a Chazan- who knew, appreciated and had a nack for real nussach. He achieved all this even before reaching the age of Bar Mitzvah. (Ironically- we all were amused that my dad did not lain at his own bar mitzvah- instead his brother did- because it wasn’t the thing to do back then- go figure). Until he was in his 60’s my father returned along with us every yomim noraim to the shul he grew up in where he would be baal terfillah- tokayah- baal korenh. All 8 of us stayed in the 2 bedroom house- for however many days of yom tov there were. Daddy went to RJJ elementary, Bta- MTA high school and YU- college and smicha . He was a student of the Rav- Rav soloveitchik. His love for the Rav’s torah was so great. He eyes lit up- to hear anything from the Rav- he had countless sfarim and articles about every detail of the Rav’s life, teachings, and torah. Dad loves agood shir and a always appreciated a nice vart. Dad was one of three boys. His brotherly relationship continued throughout his life- and was always in his heart. His older brother Herbie was Niftar 3 years ago- and that shattered my father until today. One of my father’s talents- was his incredible font like handwriting- which resembled a printing press. He had great talents in drawing. As a teen he entered one of these drawing contests from a local magazine. He won first place- which was a full scholarship to an advertising university program. My Zaydie was not opposed- but my father could not imagine life as a torah Jew in the l1950’s- and - working in advertising. So he opted for another route- going for Smicha- and being in the field of education. Obviously- much less pay- but- many more hours for family time. All of us in my family- loved the story of how my parents met- or were set up by mutual friends of Grandparents. 2 people who couldn’t be more different- Daddy- Rabbinical smicha student- black hat and suit- mommy- movie star look alike- from another world. Obviously something got lost in translation. Needless to say- Dad was immediately smitten. For mom it took a bit longer- but Dad’s irresistible sense of humor- and kind hearted personality- was an unreal attraction- for my grandparents anyway- who adored him to pieces. The wedding was set 8 ½ years later- the six of us were born. What can I say- life was never boring. Each of us- a year and half apart- not easy raising this brood. Fortunately my father being in the educational field -and not having to deal with corporate hours- had the luxury of being home early for us kids.Yes financially it was difficult- but the benefits were by far outweighed. My father was a true MR. Mom- which in those days was almost unheard of. He was completely involved always in the kitchen- meal serving and clean ups- laundry and disciplining us always. Mom had to scold Dad to stay out of her kitchen- For he was too frequently popping out of his seat be a help. Also- arguments- evolved-like each fighting that they wanted to wash the chulent pot. Recently mom said that after all these years she never recalls daddy leaving a dirty dish ever in the sink for her to wash- that is until recently when he was far too sick to even eat- yet alone clean up. Shabbat was truly mayen olam habah for my father. His preference was always being at home with the family. Our meals were truly priceless. I recently came across a gemarrah- praising the person who sat at his Shabbat meals for long periods of time- allotting time for people to drop in- do chesed of hachnasat orchim- and bask in the glory of oneg Shabbat. Anybody who ever had the zechut to join the witkin family for one of our Shabbat or yom tov meals knows how truly special it was. Of course mom made great food. Sure as kids- we bickered and fought. But the general aveerah -was mayen olam habeh. The relaxation- the zmirot- and talks of torah. The general shmooznig- the timelessness of the meals- which honestly was challenging for the soninlaws- to get used to. But Dad was never formal and never demanded anyone- abide by formal rules. As we grew and were older- the tradition continued- and remains something that all don’t like to give up -and will miss Dad’s not being at our tables greatly. Of course we don’t appreciate all these wonderful qualities- until we are married with our own homes. We all know too well the challenge of bringing in Shabbat bizman- and not going to those 18 minutes. In the 20 years I’ve lived at home- and the countless times I’ve spent afterwards for Shabatot and yom tov- I never recall mom lighting candle a minute late- as my father was always ready- and setting up- for things to be ready. Erev Chg and Shabbat was always a day dedicated to hachanat shabbbat and yom tov. On short Fridays- that dad worked always Thursday nights preparing- setting table- candles- and whatever hachanot needed to be done. He never asked for help. Dad was a night hawk; He’s sleep maybe 2-3 hours a night. Calling it only lying down- but never actually going to sleep- for there was always more to do and accomplish. Yes Dad ran a tight ship but he was also that voice of reason. He encouraged us always with our extracurricular, learning, and particularly our sports. We were all blessed with athletic abilities having prominent spots on our basketball teams. Dad always came to just about every game- cheering us on- and advising us to different plays. Cheering and enjoying our victory- empathizing with our loses- encouraging us through to the next game. We had our routine- growing up in FarRockaway nY- where the Eruv didn’t come about until my junior high years. Every Shabbat morning- all the big kids- first grade and above- left at 8:10 or so with Dad for SHul. We held on- and flew through the streets- keeping up with his fast paced walks. He’s settle us into shul with him- and we knew- there was no choice but to sit silently and daven every word. The younger ones were helped by Dad with parts of tefillah. By 9:30- we went to groups -we were forbidden from running around or making any noise in Shul at anytime. This was impressed upon on at a very early age. Dad got tremendous hanaa from our learning- particularly anything extra. I recall Zehava and myself competing in learning contests- where weekly questions needed to be prepared. No matter how late or whatever dad had to do to do- even at 3 am- he’s get up -to look up questions- wrote things out beautifully and reviewed with us- to always understand- Dad was a YU musmach- never practiced smicha- but many referred to him as Rabbi -and we knew his knowledge of Torah was right on par. Daddy’s impeccable talent as a baal koreh-had him teaching- Bm lessons all over and constantly in demand- Raising 6 kids -of course has challenges- emotionally and physically. Financially- it’s a big burden- and as such- my father had to take on extra jobs to enable school tuition to be paid- to make ends meet- and to make sure his six children always had summer vacation in camp. So, dad had bar mitzvah lessons, helping out at school bingo games, Being a youth director, and running gym programs at various points-all taking up much of daddy’s time after hos regular 9-5:00 job. Yet he never complained. He was always very midakdek to be involved on a member of the board in shul and school- to always go to meetings and take active roles in our educational and religious upbringing always. As such- he maintained close relationships with the rabbeim, teachers and principals of all the schools. He was always someone’s advocate- always taking on a cause to always someone who might have been slighted- and needed help in any area. For this he was indeed a complainer- always sameach bichelko- but could never stop complaining and helping other’s causes. When help was needed in the SHul- to fill in on a moment’s notice- for any shul duty- primarily laining and megillah reading- Dad was always the one- always in demand- always ready. He always smiled and was more than happy to help. Although he’s probably lained everything thousands of times and new tanach - cold- he would never go in- with preparation. And so he would frequently review- in the wee hours of the AM- the only free time he ever had. He always kept up this schedule b”H never needed sleep. The summer was a project initself. From Elaine’s birth- we spent every summer in camps. Dad was in Raleigh, Hili White lake, Seneca Lake, and finally Morasha. This was all of our vacation. We had the time of our lives- My father was a work horse. He was head cousleolor’ for a few summer’s and then became the kitchen director of various camps. It was more or less an administrative position- but never for Dad. He was always in the field. He did every worker’s job abd then some. Always befriending everyone along the way- always having a following of coworkers, delivery people, truck drivers, Couselors, Waiters, and even campers, who were fans of my Dad’s and just adored him. During busy work hours- he would always assist. He was the perfectionist in every respect- and had to the job himself- although most of the time- it wasn’t his job to do. But he always helped. Off hours, break time- he was a laid back .schmoozer of the best kind- attracting everybody of all ages and positions- for some much needed schmoozing, relaxing, a snack- and a laugh. He had a magic way- to attract -all to him- even the gas attendants from the stations always used in the mountains new Daddy- and always happy to see him and greet him. Jerry was a name lovingly called out by all. It was as if my Dad knew the world- and we always loved being somewhere- and someone always knowing the name Witkin- and relaying an anecdote with a smile about my father. My father’s days off from camp job was him constantly commuting - 4 hour drive back to the city to his city job. But he never complained. He just wanted us happy. He was sameach Bichelko. My dad saw the worth in every object created- and quite the difficult time-getting rid of things. He was a tremendous- compulsive savor- again- never for his own benefit- but for the eventuality- that someone sometime can make use of it. We used to give him a tough time for his collection habits. Aside from the saving- Daddy understood the care that one needs to take in taking care of someone else’s property- and being responsible to the unth degree of care. The antithesis of dad’s being Sameach bichelko- was his constant complaining- and trying to get others involved for the causes of others. He felt other’s pain and distress so much -that he became part of it. He was always for the underdog- and always making phone calls and ferociously scribing letters to the editors- local rabbanim- and anybody who he felt had positions of power- to try to champion causes-of misdoings and wronging- whether for the people he worked for at the NYC board of education to local rabbanim- who had issues within the community- to MIA- and other Israeli causes. The case of jonathan pollard was so distressing to him. It was I think the only time my father depressedly- sighed at the inactive rabbis and public advocated who had the powrr and the clout- and told me- if only he had the money- boy would he do so much more to help. Mom and dad were both supportive and proud of their children who have made Aliyah- and expressed one day that they would join us- hoping that ll their children would by then be there. Dad became quite the activist- in the later part of his life. He would champion- to all who would listen- about the matzav in Israel- and try to get people to take a stand in the right direction- to protest-write letters- and express outrage. Most of the responses were usually negative. It angered and pained him greatly that more people didn’t take an active interest to try. We would often talk about it. He would stand in the shul lobby acting like a lobbyist. The apathy depressed him. I secretly called Dad Yirmiyahu- he got a kick out of it- but sadly we realized- the sad truths. Dad realized the only reality was to just join us and be here. We had such hopes for Dad getting involved here- and really making the difference. Their original Aliyah plans were delayed- initialed for smachot of weddings and births- then more recently for the tragic diagnosis that my father received less than 2 years ago. None of us wanted to push -and felt Dad should remain and be treated in the US. He agreed temporarily- but always planned to move ahead. The false excitement of Dad’s initial remission-allowed he to move forward with their Aliyah plans. Change and move was never easy for my Dad- who needed more stability- but his ezer knegdo- Mom- was pushing things aklong- and always by his side- to move the show on the road. Right before the actual ALiyah date- Dad’s illness came back mercilessly. His pain was excruciating and unbearable-. Amid protests from us all -that he should remain in the US longer- to become stronger- for we all feared how he could even could get on the plane. Dad was adamant about his time being June 22,2009. He understood full well -that if he didn’t come then- he would never come t all in his lifetime. The prospect of not being Zoche to live in Eretz yisroel- was far more painful to him- then the pain of the cancer throughout his body. 8 months ago- my parents became Olim chadashim- with grace and pride- they walked into this country. With hope and aspirations- to live out their golden years- finally free from work- and financial strain and burden. Unfortunately Dad was never even well enough to get to the kotel. But as we know -we plan- and then Hashem has is plans. The past 8 months have been very difficult for us all -and as I reiterate how amazing this family has been and how we’ve drawn our kochot- from Mom and one another. "If you have grown, if you have contributed, if you have loved, if you have been loved -- then you have lived." Daddy- you truly made a name for yourself. You have been always been modest and completely unmaterialistic- You truly were a yishrei lev- always tamim. "And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -- Abraham Lincoln I suppose Aveilut of a parent is longest- for 1 year- b/c we are not only mourning an individual- but a life chain- a relationship that is no more. Dad we asked Mechilla from you yesterday- and told you how much we love you- as only your eyeballs could move- we felt your presence and and were pretty sure your heard. Know there is no doubt that now you hear. So I ask Mechilla again- and tell you again how much I love you as do Yossie- Ayelet Oren Yedidya and T’mema. None of us can imagine our lives without you- and how we will ever move forward. We will protect and watch over Mommy- Ad meah viesrim. As for me- I’ll mourn for a long time- and never be able to get out those memories of you: -Taking out the ladder on Sundays to climb the roof and take down our balls that were stuck -You raising the seat of my bicycle so I can reach the pedals better -Your basketball strategies -You taking me driving -Your peyrushim on torah -Sharing some ice cream together -Driving us around the neighborhood delivering endless mishloach manot -The tunes of your Kiddush, laining, amd tefillah -The voice of reason you always had when I needed to talk -Your heated- arguments I our political discussions -The warmth of your hands and arms around me as you gave me a bracha under the chupa -The joy and smile of you holding and playing with my children. -The appreciation and refusal of my bringing you anything- as you told me you don’t need things. Ayzehu asher Hasameach bichelko- Dad this truly Is who you were- we salute you Dad- Ohr zarua Latzadik uliyishrei lev simcha Hashem Natan vihashen Lakach. Daddy may you be a maylitz yosher for us all. I love you always and forever!

Dad, When I think of a way to describe you to the 100's of people that came to pay you respect, I think of the phrase - איזהו עשיר? השמח בחלקו Whatever challenges Hashem gave you, you accepted. The family keeps saying "it's not fair, you have only been here for 8 months". But I see you saying what you said in your video speech that you sent for Yishia's Bar Mitzvah, because you were too sick to come - "there is a Master of the World and we don't always understand his plans but we must accept them. You may not have been rich monetarily, but you were so rich. So rich. Rich in your Torah knowledge and rich in the hanaa you got from your children and grandchildren; the most important things to you. You never looked for kavod but was always makpid about others. You were a fantastic Baal Koreh and got such joy from listening to your grandchildren lain. You spent you life always worrying about mommy and the family but never worrying about yourself. Over the last 8 months, you've said to me so many times how you feel badly for mommy because she is being cooped up in the apartment due to your illness. When I flew back to America last June to help you and Mommy make aliya, as you were struggling to get up/down the stairs, I raise the idea about delaying aliya/selling the house. You were emphatic. You did not want to make mommy have to deal with selling and cleaning the house. You also said that if you didn't go to Israel then, you would never go. You were so right. You saw what was happening to you and despite the pain you were in, it didn't matter. You wanted to take care of mommy and make sure she would get to Israel. Avi quoted the medrash how when a person makes aliya, they get an extra segula. Some say it means refuah. It was the last day that your grandson had a day seizure. What about your refuah? Where was yours? But that was you dad, always sacrificing for someone else … especially a grandchild. Whenever I spoke to you, you always had a vort. Whether it was from Uncle Herbie, the Rabbi or your own thought. Over the last 3 years you used to tell me how you missed Herbie so much. Well, now the 2 of you can go back to your discussion of torah. Dad - I want to ask you for mechila for any wrong I did to you. How can our lives go on? Your children? Grandchildren? How? But I know what you would say. "There is a Master Ruler and He has His plans. Dad - we all love you so much. I promise you, just as you always did, we will all take care of mommy. Please be a Melitz Yosher for Klal Yisroel. תהיה נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים

In the Parshiot we just finished from Terumah onwards we read mainly about the building of the mishkan. Interestingly enough in Parshat Kee Teesah-after Hashem finished telling us about the building of the mishkan- he tells us about the mitzvah of Shabbat. In Vayakhel- this order is switched. Before Hashem goes into the detailed instruction of the building of the mishkan he tells us about the mitzvah of Shabbat. In Vayakhel, this order is switched. Before Hashem goes into the detailed instruction of the building of the mishkan, he tells us of the mitzvah of Shabbat. Why is this order switched? Why in Kee Teesah does it follow the mishkan while in Vayakhel it precedes the mishkan? And why twice Shabbat- What is the significance that the mitzvah that immediately preceded and follows the mishkan is Shabbat? The Beit Halevi answers the order switch with the following mashal-which focuses on the fact that Kee Teesah’s conclusion of the mishkan building is pre-chet haegl while Vayakhel’s is post chet haegel. His Mashal is of a wealthy father who is marrying off his child and will be buying for the child essential items and also luxurious non-essential items as befits the child of a wealthy man. The luxury items can be bought in 1 of 2 ways- Either as a gift with love from the father to the son, or as a burden- out of a feeling of necessity and requirement. Either way the luxury items will be purchased- but how the father buys them may radically differ. The Beit Halevi states that the order the father buys the items will show how he feels. If the father focuses on the luxury, pure joy items- it shows that he buys them out of pure ahava for his son. If he focuses first on the essential items- and only after he buys the other items, it may show a certain reluctance by the father. The items are still bought, but bought with something less than pure ahava- for the son. Similarly with the Bnei Yisroel, the mishkan is L’kavod Uilitiferet- added luxury and not essential. The Mitzvah of Shabbat on the other hand, is a fundamental essential mitzva. Pre-Chet Haegel- the relationship between Bnei Yisroel and Hashem was one of pure ahava. Hence we start with the mishkan- the mitzvah of pure luxury and pure joy and then get to the mitzvah of Shabbat. Sadly- post chet haegel the relationship between bnei yisroel and hashem has changed. It is something less than pure ahava. As a result- we start with the essentials- the mitzvah of Shabbat and only a bit reluctantly perhaps reach the mitzah of luxury - of building the mishkan. But, with the kindness of Hashem, Hashem has given us the clue, the secret code and formula how to change and repair that strained relationship and return it to the one pre chet one of pure ahava. And that is through the essential mitzvah of Shabbat. With its placement and repetition in both parshiot- Hashem is telling us that once you have a relationship of pure ahava- preserve it by keeping Shabbat. In Vayakhel Hashem is telling us to keep the Shabbat and then we can re-enter the relationship of pure ahava. But why Shabbat? Why is Shabbat the mitzvah chosen to preserve and save the ahava relationship with Hashem? I believe it is because at its core Shabbat represents a selfless and whole submission of man to Hashem. No matter how busy we are or how inconvenient Shabbat may be- we must willingly and selflessly sacrifice ourselves and our busy lives to Hashem. Whether we want to or need to- we rest on that day-simply because Hashem did and commands us to do so. Shabbat, more than any other mitzvah, shows our love and willingness to serve Hahsem. With this mitzvah, we can switch back the order- back to the pre- chet haegel relationship of pure ahava with Hahsem. We all must do whatever is in our power to switch the order back to the pre chet pure ahava relationship where Hashem focuses on the mitzvot of pure glory. While Dad was with us for fat too short of a time he represents to me one of the finest role models how to accomplish this critical task. To me Dad represented the Shabbat model. Giving in his time, selfless in his actions a man did the right thing simply because it should and must be done. Not because he sought or required any personal kavod. A man, who selflessly devoted and dedicated himself to his family, am yisroel, torah and hashem. A role model to look up to and emulate in order to teach me how to reestablish the ahava relationship with hashem. Quiet and unassuming, he was the one people went to when things had to get done. He was in short, to me, the Shabbat paradigm. Children, you will inevitably choose role models in your life. People you admire, look up to and want to copy. You are lucky to have had a shining example of one such role model - Zaidy. I urge you to follow his lead and stay on his course. You and klal yisroel will be better for it. May his neshama have an aliya and may we only know smachot for ourselves and am yisroel.

To all my dear siblings, Abba and I are so sorry that we can’t be there for shloshim but I am just unable to come now between Sarah Leah, work, etc. We are certainly here with you in spirit however it is so difficult being so far away from our support system. I just wanted to put down some things to say to Daddy at this time…. Dear Da, I cant believe it has been only thirty days since you left us to a better place, a place hopefully of no pain, suffering or disease. It seems like ages ago that I spoke with you for the last time that Monday afternoon in the hospital - you said you were feeling tired and that I should call back “ a little later”. In hindsight I should not have let you hang up the phone before saying these things to you. In the same vein, it feels like only yesterday that Sarah Leah and I were saying goodbye after extending ten days after Sukkot. We hugged so tightly, for me it was because I did not want to let go of you. While you hugged me you proceeded to thank me profusely for “everything I did” and that I was “such a help” to you. I responded adamantly and with tears pouring down (as hard as I tried not to cry) saying “ Da, don’t thank ME, you did everything for me!!!” and then I said to you FIRMLY “ We are coming back to see you…. You WILL get better and we are coming back to see you”. Neither of us were able to hide the tears but I REALLY meant it… the plan WAS FOR YOU TO GET BETTER. As you often told us throughout life and especially in this time, “ Hakadosh baruch hu runs the show and we don’t call the shots in life “ DA- I was so honored to have taken the first walk with you outside the streets of Yerushalayim. What a zechut for me and Sarah Leah to walk daled amot with MY FATHER and Zaidy IN YERUSHALAYIM, kal v’chomer the couple blocks that you pushed yourself to do, convincing both of us you felt a little better!!! I can’t write words of Torah right now since YOU were my teacher of Torah, always with a great d’var torah whether from Zaidy Zalman, the Rav, or your own insightful thoughts. What I can do is tell you that since we got back to NY, Sarah Leah has been saying “Todah ” so clearly to us. I say this because this is what I want to say today- Todah , Thank You. Thank you for being such a great father, I only hope Abba and I can be even half as good as you in our parenting ability. Thank you for always having an ear to listen to me even if things were hectic. Thank you for all those great spaghetti lunches we had growing up but especially for the more recent years ( when I was single, before making aliyah, my chapter with Abba, etc ) when it was just the two of us home. You had retired, Mommy was at work, and it was just the two of us having great conversations on all different topics from life that came up during our extended lunches. (I helped you pretend you had been busy all day when Mommy came home from work). Those times were so special to me, selfishly I almost felt sad at you making aliyah because I would/did miss that special time together. Of course we were so excited and happy that you and Mommy would finally be making aliyah!! Thank you for teaching us and affording us opportunities for kibbud av . These past two years (initially starting off so joyous with my wedding with an irreplaceable badeken hug!!!) has been so difficult but I hope you are smiling down at your “students”, your children. Thank you for such great siblings who exemplify kibud av and are such great role models. They went above and beyond the call of duty during this terrible time, but never saw it as a chore, imposition, or something that required more than two seconds of debate- You are our father/parent and we do WHATEVER WE CAN FOR YOU PERIOD !! They gave selflessly of their time at any cost and are truly inspirations to me. I feel honored and lucky to call them my brothers and sisters. I can go on and on but lastly I want to say Todah- Thank You for allowing us all to be with you and say goodbye to you Sunday night, February 22nd, in the hospital. I know that all along you heard me talking to you while ranging your arms and legs for the thousandth time (after or before Lisa and Vicki). However, that Sunday night you were able to see us and we were able to see our Daddy one more time to say goodbye, we love you, and thank you. Even though Shloshim is halachically over and Avelut is technically one year for the children, we have a void in our lives. I can’t imagine any simcha being the same without you, without your great d’vrei torah, and your ever-present friendly and shmoozy manner, and interest in EVERY SINGLE FAMILY MEMBER AND THEN SOME whom you come into contact with. I can’t imagine not waiting for you outside of shul so you can say goodbye to everyone AND the janitor. I imagine you are probably in shamayim saying ‘don’t worry, enjoy, I am okay’ and I am sure YOU ARE OKAY ( as Joel said you are now with your mother, father, brother, etc.) The problem is that WE ARE NOT OKAY since we cannot nor do we want to fill this void and emptiness. As Sarah Leah keeps saying with more and more clarity “ Todah” and I think of you and hoping you hear her and me. Da- I miss you so much already and I think we all feel this uncertainty of how to proceed in life WITHOUT YOU !! I will end with what was a common theme at your levaya just 30 days ago- “ayzeh hooh ha’ashir, hasameach b’chelko” We stand today, part of your chelko to say TODAH/THANK YOU for making US so rich by having such a super dad. You have enriched all of our lives and we hope your neshama will watch over and protect us in our daily lives. I for one, do not know how we will do it without you……

Thank you so much to Joel for such a meaningful shiur as the topic was so near and dear to my father as well always appreciating good torah. As both my husband Abba and Joel can attest to first hand, my father’s love for his immediate family is probably only superceded by his love for his son and daughter in laws. From day one they were all embraced by my parents and treated as part of the family. It is truly an exceptional thing to see both son and daughter in laws truly grieving WITH you for this very personal family loss, they feel so deeply the loss of our father. In a few minutes we will hear from my husband as well. B’chavod Rabbi Feiner and the White Shul Administration- On behalf of my mother, family in Eretz Yisrael, Elaine & Joel, Abba & I we would like to thank The White Shul, especially Tuvia who personally helped arrange this evening, to allow us to join together as an Azkara/Rememberance for my father z’l. I would like to start off with how my father always started any speech at any simcha or at someone’s house, to be potayach b’cavod hachsoniah here. This was my father’s achsoniah for over 40 years, up until nine months ago. Aside from Yerushalyim on Har Menuchot, these walls and this community is the only proper place for an azkara for our wonderful father, fantastic father in law, your brother, brother -in-law, uncle, devoted friend, and beloved congregant. Although the actual shloshim was last Tuesday in Yerushalayim, it seemed only proper to have an azkara of family and friends in my parents community. As I stand up here tonight, my mind instantly floods with so many memories of close to 40 years all at once. - Almost 39 years ago, in this beit kneset my father named me (after HIS father Zalman Zvi- Zehava Zivia, not knowing they would have a Zalman Zvi) and almost one year ago, Abba stood in this beit kneset with my father on Shabbat erev Pessach, to name our daughter, Sarah Leah. Sarah was Abba’s grandmother and Leah was my father’s mother whom my father tragically never knew. The first memory is straight ahead, the bima, the place where I instantly see my father standing up there serving as an impeeccable ba’al koreh (he himself was able to recall his mistakes over the 40 plus years in this community - which as we know, were not too many), reading the megillah so clearly and flawlessly (and when he was whisked away to a beit midrash minyan.), as well as being called for an “emergency” in the teen or nine o’clock minyan, which my father knew meant that someone forgot to prepare or did not show up to shul. My father was always so modest spending time to prepare Friday night, despite the fact that it could be the 300th time he had read a certain parsha. How I loved hearing my dad’s melodic voice of practicing the layning on Friday night. In addition, I look around and see so many of you who have children that were taught by my dad and how MY FATHER used to be so proud hearing them layn years later, almost like the blood relative. I know that many parents are indebted to my dad since he used to say” I guess no one wants to teach this kid”. My dad NEVER gave up on his students because whether they read one aliya or a double parsha, as long as the kid knew kriyat hatorah correctly and properly. Subsequently the kids would feel good about themselves, which my father always enjoyed seeing. I move from the bima to around the bima where I see all six of us Witkin children pulling at my dad to be on his shoulders for Simchat Torah. And of course true to my dad’s ‘equal opportunity for all his children’ we ALL got that special time and dance with him. Of course Jerry Witkin was one of the last ones dancing along with Joel Kaplan, Sidney, Shimmy, Rabbi Pelcovitz, Hilly, and Reverend Hecht, just to name a few. I guess my dad had difficulty parting with his love and passion - the Torah!! Incidentally, as a tribute to my dad, our immediate and extended family finished learning all 52 parshiyot in the torah for tonight’s’ azkarah . There was a siyum mishnayot in Israel for the actual shloshim last week, but this was something that we thought would be a great mark of respect for my father, the ba’al koreh, par excellance. It was especially beautiful because so many of the grandchildren including 6 year old Netanel Witkin and 9 year old Ariella Witkin, Moreeya Wasserman, and T’mema Hecht all signed up to learn parshiyot. How Zaidy would have continued to be so proud of them !! I learned my dad’s bar mitzvah parshiyot Behar/Bechukotai, which he actually did not layn at his bar mitzvah. I now look at the back bench which truly was my dad’s makom kavooah. Certainly my dad’s friendships from that back bench are from well over 40 years ago, along with his children who sat either on the bench or the radiator behind the bench. I look and see Hilly, Les, Mike, Heshy, Mel, and others who were permanent fixtures on that bench for all those years. It could be there was some shmoozing going on there ; however, this was tolerated for the Witkin Children. It was truly a place of chinuch that has shaped our own lives and children’s lives today. It was such a thrill going with my dad to shul however we grew up with my dad’s fast paced walk, which I am sure many of you, recognize. Our little feet barely touched the ground when walking to shul but this was a small price to pay for getting to walk and be in shul with Daddy. Once we got to shul, there were ONLY two choices for Shabbat morning; either we sat in shul, davened and did NOT UTTER A SOUND since this is a makom tefillah OR we stayed home. There was no choice of running around like “vildah chayas” in shul- end of story. I am so thankful to my father for instilling this in us because I hold it as such an important part of being in any beit kneset- it is a makom tefillah and torah- PERIOD. Through this, my dad instilled such a love of shul, torah, kavod makom v’tefillah, and kavod harav to his children and subsequently his grandchildren. I remember vividly clingy to my dad knee’s just to be able to say kedusha with him. How my heart aches thinking that my dad was only able to go to shul twice in Yerushalayim since he made aliyah. He pushed himself to sit in shul at Phyllis’s in Chashmonaim for Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur- there was not stopping him - even though he felt LOUSY !!!! He would not hear of not going to shul and NOT being there on time ( which we know means 15 minutes early Witkin time). And now I look around at my dad’s beloved physical makom kavooah to those of you sitting here tonight, my parent’s family, lifelong community and friends, whom he loved so much. How he loved talking passionately with you about everything from the Rav’s torah (which was such a treat to hear from his mouth ), a good d’var torah, the Dodgers (how he was so devoted to those Brooklyn Dodgers even though they moved out years ago) and especially Pollard and Eretz Yisrael. These were his passions- Am Yisrael, Torat Yisrael, B’Eretz Yisrael. However, you all know that for my dad, the shmoozer, any topic was fair game as his knowledge extended far beyond. My father’s underlying theme was ALWAYS maintaining kavod habriyot. Many of you were “victims” of my dad’s passionate discussions but he never made it a personal attack on a person, he simply felt we must respect each other but certainly stand up and be passionate about what we believe in EVEN if you are a daat yachid . I just never thought that after 40 plus years of passion especially about Eretz Yisrael, we would bury my father in Yerushalayim,EIGHT MONTHS TO THE DAY that he stepped off the El-Al flight as an oleh chadash ( my parents landed June 23rd and we buried my father February 23rd). I can only think of what my brother in law Shmuel said at the levaya- What Moshe Rabeinu wouldn’t give to have EIGHT MONTHS in Eretz Yisrael. True my father did suffer during those eight months but before he made aliyah, he said to me, if he does not go now, he does not know if he will get there. How he wanted to spend time with his NINETEEN Israeli GRANDCHILDREN and four children and spouses. For eight months when he was awake he was never alone between phone calls and visits. We were always trying to keep his spirits up. At the shloshim, I wrote a letter, which Lisa read, thanking my father for affording his children such an opportunity of Kibbud Av. From the time my father was sedated and put on a respirator ( because of bilateral pneumonia) on January 26th, we were with him 24/7 in the hospital. My mother and the children, in -laws, and grandchildren were at the hospital ROUND THE CLOCK. We always called before coming or leaving the hospital to make sure someone else was physically with my father so he should not be alone and hoping he would wake up with one of us there. Whether it was Avi taking a bus at 10:00 pm at night to the hospital after a full day at work and home, Zalman as well coming after a FULL day, especially with a newborn, Phyllis and Lisa driving back and forth to Hadassah Ein Karem, often twice a day and having Mommy and Daddy’s quarters always set up for extended stays, and Elaine and I going in the rotation when we arrived in Israel. I say this to you NOT to pat ourselves on the back, although my siblings are a true inspiration to me- whatever needed to be done ,was done, no questions asked. This is a testimony to my father and mother for what they taught us- Someone ( a parent) needs help, you do what you can and it is NOT a burden. My mother in her right is truly an amazing person how she went about doing everything for my father no matter the time, the language, etc. She is truly an Eshet Chayil. My father SO enjoyed the phone calls he received from all of you. When I was in Israel with him I saw that he felt lousy, not being able to talk, but forcing himself to the phone. Inevitable at the end of the conversation he ALWAYS looked better. Your friendship, love, support, and maintaining a connection made my dad feel better, so I personally thank you for contributing to my dad’s quality of life. His face glowed when I told him someone from the states called and that people all over were davening and rooting for him. I also say thank you to those that continued to call even when my father couldn't speak, being sedated and on a respirator, but just to let us know you care and didn’t forget us. Hilly, Marvin, Sidney, Joel, Morty, Heshy, Lou, Izzy are just some of the ones I spoke with although there were many others that spoke with my mother and siblings. What can I say, there is nothing like a chaver tov and I know my dad was a chaver tov to you in his lifetime. In addition, what can I say about such a priceless mishpacha such as Aunt Debby/Jerry and family, Aunt Pearlie and family, and Uncle Baruch and family- how my father loved all of you and family s’machot were such a treat, especially for a shmoozer like my dad. Less than two years ago I was zoche to walk with my parents down the aisle at my wedding in Yerushalayim as well as dance a Mezinka. My father got diagnosed with cancer right after my wedding and although not feeling so great, he pushed himself so as to fully participate in the wedding and sheva brachot here in Far Rockaway. A year later, after pain and difficulties but seemingly successful treatment, we were zoche to celebrate the birth of our daughter Sarah Leah, four days before Pessach. However, the simcha was short lived since my father’s cancer was back requiring treatment. My parents delayed their aliyah plans in order to make Pessach for me and Abba knowing we were coming out of the hospital Erev Shabbat with a newborn. Although they had not made Pessach in about ten years and were planning to make aliyah two months later, my parents were insistent and would not hear of us going home from the hospital. We offered to help beforehand, knowing my dad was not feeling great, but he refused and said “its okay, I’m doing things slowly, I am okay, etc” However, my mother later told me that it was very difficult for my father schlepping up and down but he never told me and Abba that so as not to make us feel bad (although it was obvious to us on Pessach that he was not feeling well). I try not to think about that part but instead think that I was YET AGAIN zoche, to spend my father’s last Pessach with him. We were zoche to my dad’s last d’vrei torah at the Pessach Seder. Although it was so difficult for my dad, he never let on to it, so we shouldn’t feel bad. Abba and I were recently talking and said that it was the nicest Pessach seder we had- in my childhood home, with our healthy newborn daughter, with my parents, my father who will hopefully have a refuah shelamah. I remember happily announcing at the table to my parents “this is the last two day Seder for you guys, from now on in- one day only ad meah v’esrim shannah.” The thought of Pessach without my father is truly unbearable and unfathomable. However, as my dad always said and taught us throughout his life, “ Hakadosh Baruch Who runs the show”. The last time I saw and spoke to my father in person was Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, Wednesday October 29th 2008, five months ago, as I was leaving Israel with my then 6 month old who had just spent a month with Grandma and Zaidy, smiling day in and day out- definitely good medicine for my father. The week before, Sarah Leah and I were yet again zoche - to walk daled amot with my father and Zaidy in Yerushalayim. It was the first time in maybe two months that my father felt up to venturing outside the apartment for a walk and he did great!! When I was leaving for NY, my father and I hugged and cried and he said to me “thank you for everything, you are such a terrific help to me” I quickly responded “ Da, don’t thank me, you have done EVERYTHING FOR ME “ We hugged so tightly and I said to him “ we are coming back to see you and you will get better !”. I think we both believed and hoped but that did not stop the tears from flowing, since we are not in control of anything in life. As my dad attempted to thank me, I would like to say thank you to the extended family, whom he loved so much, as well as the White Shul and Far Rockaway/Five Towns family - my father loved all of you and judging by the deluge of phone calls and letters throughout this shloshim period, I know you loved my father. I wish I could name each friend individually but I would hate to leave anyone out and you know my father enjoyed speaking to each and every one of you. At my father’s levayah five weeks ago Phyllis, Zalman and I all used a common phrase describing my father “ Ayzay who ashir hasameach b’chelkoh” Tonight we are here with part of my dad’s “chelkoh” his community for over 40 years of his life. The sensation of standing here at an Azkara for my father is awkward since this makom tefillah to me, feels permeated with Jerry Witkin up until nine months ago. It is hard to grasp that he is no longer with us. My dad was truly ashir, probably one of the richest men I know and how he SO enriched our lives. Although he collected many “things/memorabilia “ in our house, he wanted or needed very little in life. Aside from making sure that we, his beloved family, were secure and taken care of, he asked very little if anything from us. He was truly satisfied with his lot in life. My father was a true Ish Yashar V Emet and the top priority was always kavod habriot. This was something we grew up with- you did the right thing, the honest thing, and ALWAYS spoke respectfully and nicely to all people. I would like to end with what Ari and Mimi Shrier said to me during shiva - they said that few people come across someone like my dad in a LIFETIME and we were lucky enough to have him as a DAD. How true this was- Jerry Witkin who was an Ish Ashir, yashar,and emet, a man who was filled with ahava v’yirah and exemplified kavod l’briot, was OUR FATHER. It just seems like too short of a time that we were blessed with this amazing father, confidant, and friend. We were blessed with so much but I would have loved for Sarah Leah to know her Zaidy as the other grandchildren did a and for Abba to have that special relationship that my dad had with the other in laws. There is and will be a palpable void in the community, in a circle of friends, and at every simcha here on in. My father was so full of life that I for one do not know how to get by without him. Avi said at the my father’s kever last week for shloshim that the void doesn’t go away but hopefully gets filled in by my father’s characteristics, values, morals and we, his family and I believe his friends, take on my father’s characteristics and actually becoming like HIM. I KNOW this is a tall order but perhaps there is some comfort if we can even reach ¼ of the person my father was. I only hope that my father’s neshama is watching over us and will guide us through this difficult time as he has guided us so well until now.