soul of blessed memory

ANYONE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A PERSON HAS DIED.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR LOVED ONE…..LIVED!

ENTERING OUR
SECOND CENTURY
OF CARING AND
RESPECTED SERVICE

HebrewMemorial.org | 248.543.1622 | 800.736.5033 | 26640 Greenfield Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237

A tribute to Mayer Lebovic, our Zayde, on his 10-year memorial

Growing up, some of my fondest memories were of my family gathered around the dinner table on

Friday nights. The food was great, the jokes were bountiful, and the company the best. As soon as the
food hit the table everyone would load up their plates, eyes bigger than their stomachs. Wasting food
was not an option around my grandparents, if we still had food left on our plates, we’d always hear
Zayde say, with his Yiddish accent and raspy voice, “knock it in!”, encouraging us to fi nish everything
on our plates. Even after my Zayde’s passing and especially during the holidays, I still hear his voice,
reminding me to clean my plate. - Aaronkoo

Being at my Bubbie and Zayde’s home was like going to a bird exhibit at the natural
history museum. Bird- themed vases, peacock stained glass panels and decorative beaded lamps,
porcelain eagle fi gurines, rooster statues, wooden ducks fl oating in the swimming pool, and even a
clock that chimed a different bird sound every hour on the hour. It was absolutely spectacular. The best
though, was hearing stories of my Father and Aunt Gail’s childhood in Israel. My Zayde raised every farm
bird you could possibly think of. My father, at 5 years old, even got into a boxing match with the family
rooster. Now when I sit in my backyard watching my chickens peck around, I think of my Zayde. I’m so
proud to have this connection with him, and I know he would be proud too. - Elanaleh

Zayde always delighted us with stories of his life, and he was a powerful
storyteller. We could envision him and his six brothers sleeping in the same bed, defending each other
in neighborhood fi ghts, or the time he brought home a kugel from the bakery for a brother’s bris full of
sticks and rocks because he dropped it on the way and it rolled down a hill. He often talked to us about
what happened to his family in Auschwitz. He wanted us to know. I also loved the story of how he met
my Bubbie when he was a tank Captain serving in the Israeli Army. When my siblings and I came along,
he became the family documentarian, often pulling out his giant camcorder. Birthdays, Chanukkahs, my
diving and pole vaulting meets, or enjoying the pool in his backyard, out came the camera. He made
sure to capture everything. His fi lming style could be erratic at times, but we are so fortunate to have
hours and hours of family moments documented. We’ll forever cherish these memories and the stories
he told - Yosseleh

We miss you and love you,
Lebovic Family
Harry and Debbie
Joe, Elana and Aaron
Gail

jn

June 22 • 2017

51