Sarina Roffé
The third Sunday of June each year is Father’s Day. Families get together with barbecues as it is the start of the summer. This special day was established in 1909 by Sonora Smart Dodd to honor her father, a Civil War veteran. It became a national holiday to honor fathers, celebrate paternal bonds, and recognize the influence of fathers in our lives. For me, it was the hour in the summer when he taught me to swim or to fish, or the times he took us to Coney Island on rides. They were special times. We asked people in the community to share with us things their fathers taught them.
Abe Salem a’h
By Steve Salem
In 1956, my parents, Abe and Estelle Salem, bought a small house in Brighton Beach. It was a major “fixer-upper.” My dad spent a year renovating the house before we could move in. Every day, he came home from work, ate dinner, and went to the house to work on renovating the whole place. On weekends he would bring me along. We’d go to the home improvement or lumber store to get supplies and tools. I remember him saying, “You have to have the right tool for the job, or you’ll mess it up.”
I watched him work and learned. I guess he learned out of necessity to DIY. We weren’t rich. When the major projects were done, we finally moved in. And as we lived there, he kept going with new DIY projects. And I learned more. I picked up his skills and used them when my wife Julie a’h and I bought our house in 1975, trying to emulate my dad with DIY projects. Thankfully my sons picked this up too. I am grateful for the experience. Also, Dad said, “Never go into an empty restaurant.”
Mark Antar
By Mara Attie
Growing up, my father instilled in me the importance of family, preserving traditions, humility, and treating others with honesty and integrity. He taught me that hard work and strong Torah-based values are the foundation of a meaningful life. Watching the way he carries himself each day taught me more than words or advice ever could. The values he lives by continue to guide me in every part of my life.
Jack Ezra Falack
By Michelle Saad
My dad, Jack Ezra Falack, gave me a siddur for a bat Israel. He also gave me High Holiday machzors with my name engraved on them. My dad teaches me never to give up. Now that I think of it, he has given me the tools physically and spiritually to have faith in G-D!
David Roffé
By Harriet J. Roffé
My father always taught me never to laugh at someone else’s misfortune. He also taught me that if I am unhappy with my job because of a supervisor situation, but my boss likes me, there is no reason to leave, because ultimately, it’s the boss whose opinion matters. He also taught me not to live in fear.
Clement Dana
By Viviane Darwish
My father is my go-to person for advice! He taught me that Hashem is always first, to work hard, stay humble and move in silence with no ego. He also said that when people show you who they are the first time, believe it!
Charlie Saka a’h
Charlie Saka a’h
By Sally Cohen and Laurie Mizrachi
Our dad, Charlie Saka, was a leader and visionary in our family and community. He inspired us and those around him to get involved, work hard, and make sure the job gets done, no matter what. He believed deeply in giving back, always leading with kindness, being charitable, and having respect for others. He carried with him the wisdom and values of those who came before him, honoring them through the life he lived every day. Our family proudly carries his lessons and legacy in everything we do.
Mark Shalam
By Eddie, Stephen and Henry Shalam
Our father no doubt has taught us many things, but from a very young age he taught us to always treat people the way you want to be treated. He also taught us to be conscientious, hardworking and to do things right the first time. He taught us to be humble and to appreciate whatever we had. These are just a few of the life lessons we were taught, and they have always served us well.
Abe Missry a’h
By Karen Cohen
As a family, we spent our summers in a small town called Watch Hill, Rhode Island. My parents had a resort store there named Harvey’s and it was only open in the summers. From when I was a little girl, my siblings and I worked in the store and one of the things my father taught me was how to count out change to a customer at the register. First, we always put the money on top of the register, so there was no discrepancy. And we would always count out the change to the customer. We always counted up from the price of the sale to the dollar amount of money we were given. Counting out each penny, nickel, dime, quarter and dollar we gave back. For example, if the sale was $1.06 and we got a $5 bill. We would count each penny 7, 8, 9, 10 then the dime 20, then the nickel 25, then the three quarters $2, then each dollar 3, 4 and 5. Then we would put the $5 bill into the register drawer. It was a great lesson in math, courtesy, respect and professionalism.
Louis Shamie a’h
By Joseph Shamie
My father taught me many lessons but most importantly, he taught us to be respectful, to be kind and to be generous. He taught by example. His motto was, “Work hard, play hard, and enjoy life.” He taught me never to hold a grudge. Many of the things he did for others did not come to light until after his death. He believed everyone deserved a chance to succeed. Countless former employees told us how he employed them, treated them with dignity, gave them bonuses at holiday time, so they could have a good holiday with their families. They said, “Louis Shamie is the father I never had.” Most importantly, my father valued family, kept us all close, and loved my mother, Lorraine, with all his heart. He is my hero.
Isadore Shamah a’h
By Harold Shamah
Of all the gifts my father possessed, the ones that defined him most were his boundless compassion and his unwavering desire for peace. He never carried bitterness, no matter the circumstance. Instead, he met people with understanding, feeling their pain as if it were his own, and doing whatever he could, big or small, to ease their burden. I strive every day to follow the example he set.
Sami Mandil a’h
By Kimi Mandil
My father taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance. He came from Beirut not speaking a word of English. He knew the value in learning the language and what it would do to help him provide for his family down the line. These are some of the traits that he instilled in me and I am forever grateful.
Simon D. Roffé
By Sarina E. Roffé
My dad taught me the importance of independence. He always taught me to be able to live on my own by teaching me things like using a map and keeping up with him on busy sidewalks. He taught me how to be empathetic and put myself in someone else’s shoes, and he taught me how to be resilient no matter how bad your cards are. Lastly, he taught me that the world doesn’t owe you anything. We’ve all just got to make the best with what we’ve got, and that there is tremendous value in succeeding when the odds are against you. And he taught me how to hang a TV.
Jack Cattan
By Susan Shamie
My dad taught me to be honest and to help others through charity. He believes in working hard and doing the right thing, but he also understands the importance of enjoying life. He taught me that there is a time for work and a time for play and that balance is an important part of living well. Most of all, he taught me that family is very important and should always be valued, supported, and cherished. His kindness, generosity and community work have earned him the respect and admiration of many people while playing tennis, soccer, watching hockey or simply spending time with his family and friends. He continues to inspire us with his energy and spirit. I am proud to say my dad is wonderful. I wish him a long life filled with health, happiness and many beautiful moments together with my mom, his partner for life.
Victor Samuel Franco a’h
(of blessed memory)
By Samuel V. Franco
My father, Victor, taught me that integrity isn’t something you announce, it’s something you live quietly, every day, in the way you treat people when no one is watching. He came from a big, complicated, sprawling family, and he carried them all with him, honoring his father’s memory and caring for his mother with the same pride, loyalty and love. But what I remember most vividly is his friendships: the laughter, the stories, the lifelong bonds that showed me friendship is something you earn, build, and protect. My father’s legacy is not only in what he accomplished but in how deeply he loved, how faithfully he showed up, and how many people felt seen and cared for because he was in their lives. I love you, Dad.
