Brothers Emanuel: A Memoir of an American Family (43 page)

As she drove us along winding roads around the Norwegian fjords, Anne Sovcik endured my reading aloud of the first draft, accompanied by much crying, laughing, and cringing. Fortunately, she was not frightened away by my craziness—or that of my family. My three daughters, always perceptive and critical about their father, were helpful as I worked through draft after draft.

And finally, thanks to my brothers, Rahm and Ari, who were invaluable. While I am an extremely independent person, I could not be who I am without their love and support, which always makes an appearance when you least expect it and need it the most.

Serious Zeke.

Mischievous Ariel.

Quiet Rahm.

Benjamin with his parents, Penina and Ezekiel, in Israel.

Benjamin and Marsha at their wedding, 1955.

Zeke with Marsha and Benjamin, 1958.

A friend, Alan Dean, holding Rahm, with Marsha, Zeke, and (far left) Alan’s son Michael, 1960.

Zeke sitting on a living room chair, circa 1963.

The three Emanuel brothers with Penina.

Rahm with Big Bangah—maternal grandfather Herman Smulevitz.

Zeke with Big Bangah.