Our Team mate
My fingers are trembling as I am writing my memories of my beloved and dear friend Michael, One can't grasp the tremendous loss we all feel. Michael was a fellow co-worker, mentor and manager, he was my inspiration to many things in life. I learned from him so much. He was the person I'd turn to when I was looking for clarity and guidance on many things, he was a well sorted man and a very deep thinker, he never jumped to conclusions and wasn't quick to respond with things that needed careful thought but rather he'd think it through thoroughly and get back with his opinions. At times he'd even say I can't tell you what to do as I am not currently in your situation, this shows how he always tried to put himself in someone else mindset before speaking up or taking action. at the same note he was always ready to take proper action and to speak up when the time was right and necessary. There are so many conversions we had and scenarios we lived through together. there is so much we can all learn from and remember him by. At first when I started working for the company while in training I used to ride with him to work and back daily during the trips we had some deep conversations about life at work and around. He guided me how to fulfill my new role and please my bosses and also gain happiness by achievement, he shared with me some personal stories of his past and his experience in the field. He always looked out for everyone's success, it was just who he is. We also discovered a passion lying within both of us for politics, for me as a hobby and for him as a past profession. He took his time to teach and educate me everything he knows about local politics and beyond. It was always so calm and refreshing to sit and converse with him, even on things we may not have agreed with, it was still so pleasant. Later when he was promoted as a manager within the company, although his role did not directly engage with my position we were still in contact on a daily basis about work related issues discussing problems and solutions as well as how to perfect some things to ease the work load of all, he always had a straight clear mind. Michael was a proud father, a proud man. He was the perfect father, and loved his kids so much. Michael loved torah, he listened to shiurim when driving, he organized shiurim, and he even gave many shuirim hismelf when the Rebbi wasn't available. I spent several Shabbosim with him in Lakewood recently as I stayed with a family member, he always invited me over for a kiddush to his house. He always had a beautiful dvar torah to say, I remember sitting there at his shabbos table after davening with his kids around talking about Shabbos and the parshe of the week with his kids, it was so beautiful. We still can't believe that he left us so soon it seems so surreal to all of us, I remember the last conversation I had with him before he self isolated himself at home, We discussed the Coronavirus and his concern for all employees Jewish or not, old and young was amazing to hear. He kept on coming up with guidelines and solutions how to keep us all safe and how to protect the spread from forming within the company, everyone's well-being was his main concern. The one of the last conversation I had with Michael he spoke about how people should utilize this opportunity to bond with family and kids, to talk to them about the current situation and how the kids will not remember the specifications about the virus but rather the way their parents, the adults reacted, how we kept our cool and remained collective throughout the epidemic, they will forever remember how we responded to the fear and hysteria. Michael shared with me that the night before he sat with his kids and gave them a coronavirus speech, he spoke with them about the facts of what is happening. He spoke with them about the worries of the effects it may have so thy should understand the severity of the situation the entire world is facing (he was not referring to himself personally as he wasn't feeling sick at that time or it was just a very mild point in the infection). He also reviewed the news headlines with them so they should know what to expect and what is happening around the world including the world they're so familiar with, so they can understand why shuls and schools are closed. He went on telling me how he finished the family conversation filled with Simcha and how important it is to always be happy and about the importance of Emunah in hashem that everything is for the best. After concluding the conversation with his family he gave all his kids a chance to ask any questions they may have and spent some time answering them to ensure they all understand what is happening including further discussing Emunah and Betuchin. He finished off the gathering by singing Uvini Malkeini Mna Mageifu M'nachlosechu and dancing Besimcha the entire family all together with great joy, happiness and faith. We mourn his loss but we celebrate his life.
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