And I Should Know

I wrote a book about my own grandfather, the first Jewish British Army Chaplain to enter Bergen-Belsen concentration camp
after the liberation in April 1945. After the war he became a community Rabbi in London. I had wanted to write a book while he was alive,
but you know how it is – I didn’t know how to do it, I didn’t know where to start, both of us were busy… and we never got around to it.

And then he died.

I said to myself, “I have to do it now.” So I did.

through compiling the book I discovered 5 things:

  1. I now feel a lot closer to my grandfather than I ever did when he was alive. I think of him often (like now) and he’s a real presence in my life.
  2. My children each have a copy and know far more about him and the values he personified than they ever would have had I not done the book.
  3. The book is connecting first generation to third, fourth generations and beyond.
  4. The family often dip into and discuss the ideas in the book – especially around the Shabbat table – which keeps the man, the memories and the messages alive.
  5. The book gives constant pride and pleasure to a lot of people – family, friends and my grandfather’s former congregants.

That's not all

There are a host of other benefits in writing a book, to both tellers and readers:

  • Passing on our stories, values and traditions to the next generation keeps elderly parents alive, vibrant, active and contributing.
  • One client (88 years old) had a heart attack during the book creation process. We thought it was over. I heard nothing from his daughter for seven months. Then she called me.
  • “Danny, you’re not going to believe this. My father’s on the mend. And when I asked him how he managed to pull through, he said ‘I can’t leave without finishing the book first’.”

SO DON’T WAIT…

A Few More Notes

  • It’s a healing, cathartic and comforting experience.

    As another client’s daughter said, “My father is so proud of his book.
    It gives him great satisfaction and it’s significantly therapeutic that he can share this amazing life story with others.”

  • You’ll have peace of mind knowing you have captured and preserved all that is important for posterity. No regrets. No guilt.

    “It was my obligation to tell my story. It is my true legacy. I can leave this world with a peaceful heart, because through my story the Norris heritage of gracious giving will indeed touch tomorrow.”
    -Mrs. Lavern Norris Gaynor, heiress to the Texaco fortune)

  • It’s a special, original and deeply personal way to honor a parent, or as a significant 80th, 90th birthday or anniversary gift.

  • Your family will gain insight into what it takes to live a successful and fulfilling life. And feel a sense of pride and responsibility to perpetuate these values.

    I know. I’ve produced books for my own parents, my uncle, and over 30 other books for families to cherish their loved ones forever and continue in their path. You’ll also get a work of art you’ll be proud to leave on your coffee table and dip into at every opportunity.

After all, your parents' lives are works of art that deserve to be treasured.

Apart from writing legacy books, Holocaust memoirs and other life stories, I edit the international HaMizrachi magazine, and have edited books on the weekly Torah portion, the Jewish holidays and written numerous articles for aish.com and other websites.

And when I’m not helping people like you create legacies for your family, I’m usually playing with words or at the beck and call of my wife and six children.