/ @ 1-rr

id T@

wish famili

1 /I

Man
'Love

Shari Silver with her father; Alan: "He will alway

s be my ha"
er

A tribute to dads — in honor of Father's Day.

ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM

AppleTree Editor

God's highest gift, the Torah says in Psalms 127
and 128, is an abundance of children.
But these gifts do not come without qualifications.
Mothers and fathers are obligated to care for every
aspect of their children's lives, from providing them
with food and shelter to securing their proper educa-
tion. A parent, the Torah also says, should serve as
an example to the child. The parent should be
moral, upright, honorable.
Father's Day is this Sunday, June 19. In honor of
the occasion, readers told us the lessons their fathers
taught them and the ways their fathers shaped their
lives.

the way we did our homework, how we completed
our chores, and even how we dealt with problems.
"Don't cut corners," he'd follow up with. "If you
rush, you'll just
have to do it
again."
Only this past
year have my
dad's words rung true with such deep meaning.
Last June, after suddenly being diagnosed with a
brain tumor, he was immediately operated on to
remove the growth.
Calls and well wishes poured in from around the
country "How could this happen to such a good
man?" they would ask. "He's so

SPECIAL
REPORT

• I have the best dad. Everybody says this,
but my Dad really is the best!
My dad, Richard Emmer, is a wonderful
father. He is a kind, caring and a genuine per-
son. My dad always puts others' needs before his
own and is always there for me (and my family).
The most important lessons my dad has taught
me include: take care of others, lead the best life
you can, be responsible for my actions and words
and make the world a better place (tikkun olam).
I wouldn't be the person I am today without the
guidance, teaching and patience of my dad.
I am so proud of my dad and all that he has
accomplished in his life thus far. I love you, Dad!
— Amy Zonder

Huntington Woods

N

6/16

2005

36

• This Father's Day is especially important to
me. I say thank you to my dad, Robert Jasgur,
who has taught me so many lessons, the greatest of
which I can only now begin to appreciate.
'Anything worth doing," he used to say, "is
worth doing right the first time." This was true of

Steve Jasgur with his father, Robert:
"Get it right the first time."

young, so sweet, so kind. It's just not fair," was the
consensus.
While there were no answers, the support was
both overwhelming and reaffirming.
For the past year since his surgery, Dad has been
working to regain mobility from a stroke that has
paralyzed his right side, while simultaneously under-
going the requisite radiation and chemotherapy
treatments.
At a very young 65, he's weak and even forgetful
at times, but his zest for life has not diminished. He
relishes his time spent with "the guys" for weekly
Wednesday dinners, and gushes about the quality
time conversing with his children. He thanks my
mother for taking care of him and wishes he could
do more for her; she's thankful for his very being,
and only wants to see him well.
I reflect on my dad's life and our time together
and see a man who has been so kind, so patient,
and so generous. He has always seen the bright
side of life, and looked to brighten the lives of
others. He has worked to instill in his children an
appreciation and empathy for those less fortu-
nate.
Since a very early age, he was responsible for
involving our family with hands-on volunteer
work at JARC and the Muscular Dystrophy
Association, a tradition we carry on today.
He has amassed a fortune worth of friend-
ships, sustained a 40-year loving marriage, been
an amazing and involved father for three and a
grandfather of five.
Through his actions to this day, I realize the
true meaning of his words: "Life: There are no
second chances, so do it right the first time.
Live now, love now, help others, and make
time for your family and friends." Do it right
the first time, like my dad.
— Steve Jasgur

Birmingham