Remembering Jacques van Dam

May his precious neshama be comforted and may his family and wife Sabine have strength and love of family and friends to support her at this time.

Of all the wonderful memories we have of this exceptionalman, I recall perhaps a month after arriving in Naples.

13 years ago, knowing no one, at our Park Shore rental home where we held or programs there was a ring at the door. There stood a man with a big smile on his face and a vodka bottle in his hand and he said, "My name is Jacques and look, I have been living in La Costa CA and I was very good friends with the Rabbi there, Rabbi Eilfort. I heard you are establishing a Chabad here. I want to be one of the first to welcome you." 

As we talked and he was just so welcoming and saying here is the bottle, let's say a l'chaim together. But it wasn't about the bottle, he wanted so much for Chabad to succeed. A few months ago Ettie and I, Jacques and Sabine sat and talked about his life and also about Chabad and he was so thrilled and schepped nachas, and we even reminisced about the first visit. He always used to say, "I come to shul because I want to do everything I can to help grow Chabad and to help the Jewish nation."  

He was passionate about yiddishkeit.  In addition, he was so passionate about sharing his stories as a holocaust survivor. The most precious was when I asked him to come to my Hebrew school class and he shared his story and the kids were taking it all in and then the kids sent him thank you cards. That following Shabbat he said that was so special and that he wanted to do everything possible  to share his story so people would  know.

Jacques was very dear to us and we are making special prayers for Sabine for strength, healing and comfort.

Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos  

 

Photo by Erik Kellar