Thursday, February 7, 2008

Adath Israel Memories - Martin Staum

The warmth of memories from Adath Israel is indescribable. It's all bathed in the glowing tones of Rabbi Newberger's voice - and I don't think I've heard a rabbi or cantor since then who can duplicate the sweetness of that voice - even though several have more operatic training.

But there were also the memories of the Hebrew school - and the flight of many a paper airplane as the Rabbi tried to keep some order in a very unruly class.

Of course one of the most persistent memories is stopping at the office where my mother worked for, it seems, about 25 years. And the Center was indeed the center of my parents' lives - with my father becoming a more conscientious shulgoer in his later years. My father passed away in 1995 and my mother in 2002, with her last two years with us in Canada.

When I was preparing my Ph. D. in 1969, the only viable job opening was a visiting position in Vancouver, B.C., where I ended up in two temporary jobs for two years. At that point, I had no definite plans when suddenly a position opened up in Calgary, Alberta, and I have never regretted coming here.

I married my wonderful wife Sarah in 1974 and we have a daughter Nina who is 28 and one grandchild - Libby - who is just 14 months old.

I'll try to post pictures at a later date.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Are you Martin Staum? I'm Nona Levine (now Schwartz). If so - hello. I remember you very well. It was nice to read about you.

MartinS said...

Hi, Nona -

Yes, it was fun to read about your family and Susan's as both of you lived so close to our house and were in the same high school car pool.
I also have somewhat hazy memories of a Halloween party at your house where we all apple-bobbed. And also of the welcoming atmosphere that your parents always created.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for answering. I'll look forward to seeing some pictures.