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George Hariton's avatar

My condolences. I didn't know your mother, and I don't know you. But that doesn't matter, we are all members of the same tribe.

A minor point. You say that Holocaust survivors had few, if any, psychological resources to help them afterwards. My late father was a psychiatrist in Montreal in the 1950s to 1980s. Many of his patients had numbers tattooed on their arms. And he refused to charge them more than he thought they could comfortably afford, sometimes nothing. Which is one reason we were poor.

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Well, then, your father was exceptional. I was really referring to organized community support - for survivors and their families. It was a different era. There wasn't the same level of mental health awareness, generally. But, specifically - there was a stigma that attached to survivors. In Israel as well. And people like my mom were left to try to understand and manage. As were the kids. That's what I was trying to convey.

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Daniel Bell's avatar

Your mother was a kind, lovely woman. A dear friend to my mother Naomi (who is turning 92 in a couple of weeks). I remember getting together as families when we were young. If memory serves, I am one year younger than your brother Paul. May her memory be a blessing.

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Danny Bell - so lovely to hear from you! Yes you remember very well.....and you are close in age to Paul. I remember both your parents fondly. It's good to know that Naomi is still here and, I hope, in good health. Please give her my best and celebrate that birthday! With gusto!

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Shelley G.'s avatar

May her memory be a blessing, Vivian. Thank you for sharing some of your memories with us. 😔

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Thanks so much, Shelley. I just wanted to convey the essence. Sometimes, the less said the better.

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Anan Sahadei's avatar

May you and your loved ones find consolation with all who mourn in Zion and Jerusalem.

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Thank you, so much.

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Elevinespee@aol.com's avatar

Two ribbons of tears were streaming down my face reading your intimate and moving story of your Mother. May her memory be a blessing.

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Thank you. So much.

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Alex Sagan's avatar

‏משתתף בצערך

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

תודה

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Jennifer Mann's avatar

Thank you for sharing your Mom's loveliness. Blessings to you and your family.

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Thanks for reading and sharing.

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André Setton's avatar

So sorry for your loss. Your simple but touching tribute to your mother proves that she did something (probably many things) right. Thank you for sharing this profoundly private moment with us. May your Mom's n'shama have an Aliyah.

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Thanks, Andre. What a beautiful thought. I tried to walk the line......share but respect her privacy.

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Erika Dreifus's avatar

I'm so sorry for this deep loss. May your mother's memory be a blessing. Take care--we'll all be here when you're ready to resume posting.

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Thanks so much, Erika. Much appreciated. I'm going to try to kick back into gear this week......but last week I just checked out. Completely.

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Zev Nadel's avatar

Toby & I send our sincerest condolences. May her memory be a blessing.

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Thank you, so much.

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Alice Goldbloom's avatar

A beautiful tribute. May her memory be a blessing.

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Thank you, Alice. Hard to know what to say at such a time. I so appreciate your comment.

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Caroline B.'s avatar

She is forever graceful and lovely. Thinking of you and yours Vivian. Thoughts and Prayers.

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Thanks, Caroline. Graceful and lovely. Love that.

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Barbara Kay's avatar

Condolences, Vivian. A ripe old age, and a life of purpose and productivity. May her memory be for a blessing. Barb

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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Thanks, Barbara. Yes......A whisker away from 95 and a full life. We should all be so fortunate.

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May 22, 2023
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Vivian Bercovici's avatar

Merci beaucoup, Professor.

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