Dear Ikie,

 

I learned at a young age that the most important conversations in a family’s life take place at Shabbat dinner. At those dinners we often discuss important parts of the weekly parasha and from time to time I would try to imply life lessons to my family. On many occasions, we discussed the importance of schooling, especially Jewish education and our heritage. As you were growing up, I reminded you of my humble beginnings never thinking my words would resonate so deeply with you.

 

Often, I shared the importance Grandpa Isaac placed on a yeshiva education and as such he sent me and my three siblings to Magen David Yeshiva. As you know, grandpa was not able to pay on his own and due to the generosity of others we were able to attend for eight years. That decision by my father was the single most important decision that he ever made. 

 

Isaac, you began working for Hillel Yeshiva at the age of eighteen by selling raffle tickets on the beach in the summer. At twenty-one, you became the youngest person ever to be appointed to the executive committee and since then you have not stopped contributing your time and efforts towards continuing Hillel’s success.

 

A few years ago, I learned that my conversations about the importance of a yeshiva education and our family history had another amazing impact. I found out that you, Isaac, not only continue to work for the benefit of Hillel but that you were so taken by my family story of the generosity of others, that you sent a letter of thanks and a check to Magen David for you felt such a debt of gratitude to the yeshiva for educating your dad. This is the person you are and your mother and I cannot be more proud of you.

 

Love,

Mom and Dad