I have memory of my father, Abraham Novak (z"l) , chanting. making his way through the haggadah at stunning speed, interrupted occasionally by my mother peeking out of the kitchen, asking "how much longer until dinner?" I have memory of my father singing, always a Jewish liturgical song, in his rich deep bass, a voice that held up the world. I have memory of my father working, standing over the cutting table at his dress factory, cigar in hand, ruling his small "empire" that employed 20 people for 40 years. I have memory of my father smoking his cigar, his constant companion every day, except on Shabbas. My mother would ask, "Adolph, why can't every day be Shabbas?" I have memory of me and my father playing catch on the side of our house. He is wearing a white tee shirt, shorts, black socks and shoes, tossing a hard ball with me, back and forth, as time stands still. Is this heaven? (Yes, I do weep, every time, at the end of Field of Dreams) I have memory of my father eating, always with a yarmulke on his head. He expected me and my brother to always wear one at the table as well. I remember one day as a teenager sitting down at the table, beggining to eat purposely without my head covered. I hear my father say to my mother, "Tell your son that at my table we wear a yarmulke." I have no memory of my father crying. I have memory of my father selling cans upon cans of maccaroons to everyone he possibly could - in his workplace, on the subway, in the neighborhood. With his help I win the #1 prize in the religious school contest for selling maccaroons - a radio that clips on to my bicycle handle. I have memory of my father lying in bed at the hospital. Although he cannot open his eyes nor utter a word, he hears me singing to him, L'dor Va'dor, and instinctively, through labored breathing, he reaches for the harmony part. For all that you gifted me with dad, I thank you. When I say Kaddish for you, through the gift of memory you are reborn, allowing me, once again, to feel your presence. I never died said he.
1 Comment
Sarah Burton
3/28/2013 07:47:43 pm
What a beautiful prose poem to my dear Uncle Adolph -- or Uncle Daddy as my brother named him. Miss you and my Dad.
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Mark Novak is a "free-range" rabbi who lives in Washington DC and works, well, just about everywhere. In 2012 he founded Minyan Oneg Shabbat, home to MOSH (Minyan Oneg Shabbat), MindfulMOSH (Jewish mindfulness gathering), and Archives
June 2017
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