Remembering Pamela Lunzer: A Year Later, Her Kindness and Strength Still Guide Us
Dear Editor:
One year since my dearest friend Pam, z”l, has been gone. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the passage of time has not made it easier for any of us who loved her.
Pam was living proof that kindness and gentleness are the greatest and most enduring kind of strength.
She was an integral part of our lives for close to half a century. This includes our families, through thick and thin.
I always greatly admired and wondered at some attributes she was endowed with in unusual abundance and were her unmistakable trademarks: z’rizus and hochmas lev - alacrity and a wise, intelligent heart.
I remember when Rena was just an infant, she brought her to Tannersville where we were summering, and as I prepared to close her car, she leaned deep into the back seat and said, “No, no, wait… That’s not all… There’s another guest in the car… Moby Dick!” I watched in amazement as she opened a gigantic Styrofoam box with a 40-pound salmon she had just picked up at the fish market on her way to me - a feast waiting to happen that very night.
My late big birthday present to Pam was going to be going to Morocco together on a tour I was scheduled to escort, where she was going to be my roommate. When I told her about it, I suggested she give it some thought and get back to me soon, and she responded: “There is nothing to think about; this is the trip of my dreams. I’m going with you.” Tragically, Oct. 7 and her passing dashed this dream.
Rest in peace and keep smiling down on your beautiful family and your loving friends.
Levana Kirschenbaum
Remembering My Dear Friend Pamela Lunzer on Her First Yahrzeit
Dear Editor:
It’s hard for me to believe my dear friend Pam is no longer, but it’s even harder to know we’re marking her first yahrzeit - a year since her untimely passing.
I first got to know Pam in her capacity as a women’s couture shopper. She came highly recommended by her famous mother-in-law, Martha Lunzer a”h, an icon in the exclusive designer fashion world.
The first time we met, there was an instant connection - as if we’d known each other for years - and I had not yet moved to Englewood. Pam was an extraordinary mother to all her children, especially Baruch; she was a beloved wife to Robert, a caring daughter, and an adored friend to all her friends, acquaintances, and clients.
She was smart, kind, sincere, and beautiful inside and out. She spoke softly and, above all else, was a lady.
I never witnessed her losing her cool and rarely heard her raise her voice. She was extremely proud of each of her children and never complained about anything. There was a calmness when you were with her; she was easy, elegant, and genuinely nice. Perhaps her greatest gift was how much she truly cared that you were happy with your purchases. Her business was about helping you find what you loved most and making sure you felt and looked beautiful. Her attention to detail was impeccable, and all alterations had to meet her standard of excellence.
I learned so much by talking to her. When I moved to Englewood, I had the added pleasure of driving her home at the end of a shopping day in Manhattan, where our discussions about life, the world, and family took place. She beamed when she spoke of her family.
When I first heard about Pam’s serious health situation, I called Robert immediately. After sharing what the doctors knew, he told me I could stay in touch. Despite the uncertainty of her health, Robert gave me a great gift when he put one of my calls on speakerphone so Pam could hear my voice. I wondered if she’d recognize it. It didn’t take a second - she was asking about me and my family, and my heart was full. This was a gift I will cherish forever - hearing her voice, sweet and caring.
The last photo many of us received, etched in my mind and heart, was a smiling Pam waving to us as she entered an ambulance, being transferred to a rehab facility. We lost our Pam just days later, and it still hurts today.
My prayers and wishes for comfort and joy go out to the Lunzer family - that each of you know how deeply she loved you. May the Almighty above continue to watch over her, bless her, and keep her golden heart and pure soul close. May Pam always know and feel the love of her wonderful family and see her legacy intact and growing. May she continue to be a meilitz yosher and know that she will be remembered with love on her first yahrzeit.
For me, I miss my friend Pam and wish her the highest aliyah in heaven.
Esther Lerer
Ceasefire – No! Surrender – Yes!
Dear Editor:
I made aliyah with my wife and children 35 years ago, in July 1990, and shortly after that, we were greeted by Scud missiles, thanks to Saddam Hussein.
Here’s how it played out: A month after we began our new life in Eretz Yisrael, Hussein sent 140,000 Iraqi troops and 18,000 tanks into Kuwait (on August 2, 1990). President George Bush (the first one…) spent the next few months planning and coordinating an American response, and “Operation Desert Storm” officially began – with aerial bombings – on January 17, 1991. Hussein responded by sending his first Scuds into Israel the next day! I often joked that it was his way of saying, “Welcome to Israel, Sackett family… when are you moving back to New York?” I must state that, 35 years later, we are still here – Baruch Hashem – and it’s Saddam Hussein who is in a much different place!!
Back to the timeline: On February 24, the land campaign began and, according to official statistics, over 92,000 U.S. Marines entered the war with boots on the ground. Iraqi soldiers began suffering heavy casualties and world leaders started demanding a ceasefire. Although America’s ground campaign lasted only 100 hours, the aerial bombings continued relentlessly. President Bush and Defense Secretary Dick Cheney refused to entertain the thought of a ceasefire, demanding instead that Saddam Hussein surrender. A 10-point surrender agreement was drawn up, and the U.S. promised that bombings would continue until Iraq accepted all 10 conditions. Hussein accepted three, then five, and finally seven of the 10. The United Nations began screaming that the U.S. needed to accept Iraq’s 70% compliance, but Bush and Cheney said no.
And then – Defense Secretary Dick Cheney made the most incredible statement ever: “In the history of the world, when did the loser ever dictate terms to the winner?” He continued: “This war will not end until Iraq accepts all 10 of our conditions… the last one being complete and total surrender.”
Fast forward to April 11, 1991 – the day Saddam Hussein accepted all 10 conditions and officially surrendered, ending the Gulf War at 10 p.m. EST – less than three months after America entered the war.
That is what I want to happen in Israel. Not for Trump or Qatar or the UN to broker a ceasefire with Hamas, but for the savages from October 7 to surrender. They get zero say in the matter. They get no benefits, money, or compensation. Nothing positive will be done for them. They will accept every one of Israel’s terms – which obviously includes the release of every hostage (living and dead) – and they will get on their knees, put their hands behind their heads, and surrender to the army of Hashem.
People tell me I am living in Fantasyland since this will never happen. My answer is simple: It will happen – the day we start believing that Eretz Yisrael is Hashem’s land and He has trusted us to conquer, settle, and build it. Part of our responsibility is making sure that Jews are protected here – which means our enemies must be annihilated, not simply asked to “play nice” for 60 days.
This is why there is just one solution – and it’s not called “ceasefire.” Rather, the term is “surrender,” with no deals or plea bargains. May that happen soon!
Am Yisrael Chai!
Shmuel Sackett
Fancy Free
Dear Editor:
The kids are gone - to camp, I mean - and the house is quiet. You could clean out your closets and drawers, wash the comforters, and go through the pile of bills, newspapers, and bank statements. By the way, why does Chase send me a 20-page account review in minuscule type and bank jargon that I will never understand nor be able to read?
But wait a minute. It’s not Pesach; it’s July, which is like Pesach since it’s z’man cherusainu. Yes, you are free to do whatever you want.
Just think. You can go to that expensive steak restaurant (providing you have any money left after paying the hefty camp bill) instead of ordering pizza for the millionth time. You could drive to the Hamptons, but since you failed to secure yourself a $40,000-a-month rental, the most you can do is look out at the water. This is the same thing you can do in Long Branch, N.J., plus eat at the eateries. Somehow, going to Far Rockaway isn’t the same thing (especially with the sharks).
You can convince your friends that you’re not going to Europe because:
a) all of Europe is anti-Semitic
b) most of Europe supported the Nazis
c) you don’t want to break a crystal chair at a museum
d) you don’t have any money
You tell your friends you’re not going to Alaska because you’d get seasick, and you’re not going to Hawaii because Shabbos is too long there. How about Canada? Not until it becomes a 51st state. You can finally afford Florida — but for the 100-degree weather and 100% humidity, you might as well stay in New York. Arizona doesn’t have the humidity, but 110 degrees is 110 degrees.
Therefore, my advice to you is to take out a map of the U.S. (if you can find one in your kid’s mildewy knapsack), take a scarf and a pin, blindfold your eyes, and stick the pin onto the map. That will decide where you are going on vacation. What’s wrong? You got Iowa? Well, at least there won’t be a long line for boarding. You can stay there for three years until the Iowa caucus, which is probably the most exciting event there.
Oh, I forgot! Someone has to pick the kids up after camp.
Debbie Horowitz