My father James Joseph Orlow z”l passed away on August 23rd, the 12th of Elul 5778. I had the honor of delivering a graveside Hesped, eulogy, for him. Seeing that today we did his unveiling it seemed appropriate to share the eulogy today. I truly appreciate all of the love and support that I have received from my family, friends, colleagues and community members this past 11 months. There is do doubt that this loss will be a weight I will carry for the rest of my life, but with your support it is not at heavy.
As the baby of this large clan and my father’s son “the Rabbi”. I “get to” have to go last and say what has not yet been said.
Named for my father’s father Abram Orlow who died when my dad was just a boy, I always has many questions about the the shoes I was supposed to try to fill. And to be frank reflecting back on my father’s life, my Pa was also a bit of a mystery to me. My dad was a puzzle. This was not shocking for someone that was a member of Mensa, loved a complicated law case, or could win Trivial Pursuit in one turn. Pa always liked a good puzzle.
It was not always easy for me to get him. He was at once self defined as irreligious and yet I have so many memories of him spiritually sitting in his chair reading the Bible. He was a sort of modern-day tormented Rav Nachman.
I have spent a lot of time in the last 44 years trying to figure out the puzzle of my Pa. Since his passing it has been meaningful for us to get together as a family to put the pieces back together- A bit of a jigsaw.
Who was James Joseph Orlow- Yakov Yosef ben Avraham V’Leah z”l?
As the baby brother coming home I can relate to the character of Yosef in the Torah portion of VaYeshev. There we read:
Eleh Toldot Yakov Yosef ben Sheva Esreh Shana…
These are the generations of Yakov, Yosef was 17… when he went to taddle of his siblings. (Bereishit 37:2)
Interestingly the Torah never actually outlines the generations of Yakov.
And no, I am not here to share a tell-all about my siblings.
But I wanted to share one story. When I was around 17 like Yosef and clearly taller than my brothers. They would often joke that the milkman was also tall.
Seemling on this point Rashi, the premier medieval biblical commentator, provides an alternative reading of VaYeshev. Instead of reading it as “Eleh Toldot Yakov- These are the generations of Yakov”. Instead he reads it as, “ Eleh Toldot Yakov Yosef- These are the generations of Yakov Yosef “- my dad’s name. Rashi quoting the midrash said:
Yosef’s facial features bore a striking resemblance to those of Yakov. Further whatever happened to Yakov happened Yosef. ( Rashi on Bereishit 37:2)
The puzzle of my father was a puzzle of looking in the mirror. My interest in Halacha and those alienated by it was to emulate his devotion to immigration law. My desire to learn Torah was a reflection of his constant brimming with pithy wisdom. For many of us he was a fount of wisdom. A life filled with my father’s Perkei Avot:
Found in his wallet on Friday was a fortune cookie, “Life is like a dogsled team. If you ain’t the lead dog the scenery never changes.”
Profound work Ethic- “ The harder you work the luckier you get”
“Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life”
Marry up- do not be afraid of a strong and smart woman like your mother. Or as he like to say, “ Don’t marry a woman who is pretty but stupid, because your children will think like her and look like you, you ugly bastard.”- Luckily with Mom and my wife Adina we got both brilliant and beautiful life partners.
Let people share their own good news, “Don’t rain on my parade or I will piss on your’s.” – And look around Dad, it is such nice weather today.
Theodicy- “ We live in a world in which no good deed goes unpunished”
Always be intellectually interested and interesting. One of my earliest memories was giving a mini Dvar Torah as a rider to his Dvar Torah in the Chavurah- library minyan. Or later his pushing me regarding the rigor of going to yeshiva in Israel. “Always be curious and confident.”
His favorite belt buckle reads “ Dazzle them with your brilliance or baffle them with your bullshit.”
And there was the profound reflections in actions that often spoke loader than words. Build things (including community) with your hands:
Chop your own wood
The tree house for Beth Hillel Beth El Preschool
The Aaron for the Chavorah
My Shtender
The porch add-on for the cabin in the Poconos
Endless projects in the Berkshires
His deep love of Sukkot.
For him the the Sukkah was never the Aninai HaKavod, he was into the Sukkah Mamash.
Family First- From sailing trips, time at the beach, Poconos, and Bershires
Shabbat Meals, Holiday Meals, so many family meals from clients to St. Michaels.
Eleh Toldot Yakov Yosef
When I look in the mirror I see my father (not the milkman)
Eleh Toldot Yakov Yosef
When I look in the mirror I see a puzzle
Eleh Toldot Yakov Yosef
When I look in the mirror I see the man I am striving to become
Eleh Toldot Yakov Yosef
When I look around I see the generations of Yakov Yosef
James Joseph’s highest joy was his 14 grandchildren. They will carry his legacy.
As we place Pa into his final resting place. We help him finish the puzzle- putting it all together:
Profound Wisdom and Curiousity
Deep connection to community
Family First
Thank you all, family and friends.
Special thank you to Doda Rachel who has played a critical role in the lives of my parents. We all owe you a profound debt of gratitude.
Finally James Joseph Orlow Yakov Yosef ben Avraham v’Leah
We lay you in your final resting place; a life well lived and a puzzle complete.
Other posts in memory of my father James Joseph Orlow z”l
Said to Myself 
Dear Avi and family
You described your father so lovingly
Our family will always cherish the many times we shared
May you father’s memory continue to be for a blessing
Love
Nan And Stu