Rocking out at the allman finale in the beacon sunday night while in nyc for pesach, and sadly oblivious to the news of amirs passing, my thoughts momentarily detoured back through the hallways of high school. To a small, somewhat irksome chevra- amir, john, eli… who already back then had figured out that Godliness dwelled not just in gemara but in the words of Tolkien and jam bands as well. Wow, how i wish i knew that then. My life now is a desperately intoxicating attempt to synthesize those worlds. Among other things, I spend my days sitting and learning gemara in the hills of Bat Ayin in Gush Etzion, and my nights delving into the inner meanings of the Simarillion and Dick’s Picks 26. To John, a refua shleima and may we dance at your wedding in Yerushalayim. To Amir’s family and friends– honor his memory by fighting with respect for what you believe in no matter what (usually the establishment!) bars your way- may his memory always make us smile.
Hamakom Yinahem Etchem Btokh Aveilei Tzion Vyerushalayim-
Ezra Friedland-Wechsler