In Memory of Evan Garfinkel

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Evan Garfinkel 1975 - 2006

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On Friday, 3 November, 2006, Evan Garfinkel, known here on LTHForum as the hungryrabbi, died in Las Vegas. Evan had many talents and also many friends. We, his friends, will always miss him and will regret that we will not have the chance to see what his talents would have brought us in the years to come.

Evan touched many people in a remarkably diverse number of ways. To me he was more than just a dear friend, he was also in many ways a kindred spirit, someone whom I daily thought of and wanted to speak to about all manner of things that come up: music -- Evan was a highly gifted drummer and me, a long retired one of more limited talents -- and food -- we shared many loves, from broccoli rabe to bagels, from Bratkartoffeln to, of course, pizza -- writing, languages... We both thought it funny that two guys from Jersey, one a Jew, the other an Italian, routinely spoke and wrote to one another in German. We both studied and love deeply German literature and so I'll offer in memory of one of my best friends a translation of one of my favourite poems by one of my favourite poets.

Denn nirgend bleibt er.
Es fesselt
Kein Zeichen.
Nicht immer
Ein Gefäß ihn zu fassen.*

A

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Mnemosyne
Third Version

Ripe, in fire dipped, cooked are
the fruits and tested on the earth and there is a law,
prophetic, that everything passes into it,
serpent like, dreaming on
the hills of the heavens. And much is,
like a load of logs
upon the shoulders,
to be retained. But evil are
the paths. Namely astray,
like horses, go the imprisoned
elements and ancient
laws of the earth. And always
into the unbound goes a yearning. Yet much is
to be retained. And of necessity faith.
Forward, however, and back we do not want
to look. Let us be cradled, as
in a rocking boat on the sea.

Yet how the beloved? Sunshine
on the ground we see and dry dust
and, as at home, the shadows of the forests and there
blooms on roofs the smoke by the ancient crowns
of towers, peacefully; namely good they are
when the soul, objecting,
wounds a heavenly one, the signs of the day.
For snow, like lilies of the valley
pointing out where
the noble-minded be, shines upon
the green meadow of the Alps
by half, while, speaking of the cross which
once was placed by the wayside for
those who have died, on a high road
a traveller fares in anger,
foreseeing from afar,
with another, but what is this?

By the figtree my Achilles
has died on me,
and Ajax lies
by the grottoes of the sea,
by brooks, neighboured by Skamandros.
By cause of the roaring in his temples,
according the constant custom
of unmoved Salamis, on foreign soil,
has great Ajax died,
as Patroklos has, though in a King’s armour.
And there died many others too. But by Kithairon
Eleutherai stood, Mnemosyne’s city. From her too,
when God took off his cloak, the evening one then cut
loose her locks. For the Heavenly ones are
indignant, if one has not gathered himself together,
preserving his soul, though this he must;
like him, mourning misses the mark.

Friedrich Hölderlin
translation: A.F. Buccini


Mnemosyne
Dritte Fassung


Reif sind, in Feuer getaucht, gekochet
Die Frücht und auf der Erde geprüfet und ein Gesez ist
Daß alles hineingeht, Schlangen gleich,
Prophetisch, träumend auf
Den Hügeln des Himmels. Und vieles
Wie auf den Schultern eine
Last von Scheitern ist
Zu behalten. Aber bös sind
Die Pfade. Nemlich unrecht,
Wie Rosse, gehn die gefangenen
Element’ und alten
Geseze der Erd. Und immer
Ins Ungebundene gehet eine Sehnsucht. Vieles aber ist
Zu behalten. Und Noth die Treue.
Vorwärts aber und rükwärts wollen wir
Nicht sehn. Uns wiegen lassen, wie
Auf schwankem Kahne der See.

Wie aber liebes? Sonnenschein
Am Boden sehen wir und trokenen Staub
Und heimatlich die Schatten der Wälder und es blühet
An Dächern der Rauch, bei alter Krone
Der Thürme, friedsam; gut sind nemlich
Hat gegenredend die Seele
Ein Himmlisches verwundet, die Tageszeichen.
Denn Schnee, wie Majenblumen
Das Edelmüthige, wo
Es seie, bedeutend, glänzet auf
Der grünen Wiese
Der Alpen, hälftig, da, vom Kreuze redend, das
Gesezt ist unterwegs einmal
Gestorbenen, auf hoher Straß
Ein Wandersmann geht zornig,
Fern ahnend mit
Dem andern, aber was ist diß?

Am Feigenbaum ist mein
Achilles mir gestorben,
Und Ajax liegt
An den Grotten der See,
An Bächen, benachbart dem Skamandros.
An Schläfen Sausen einst, nach
Der unbewegten Salamis steter
Gewohnheit, in der Fremd’, ist groß
Ajax gestorben,
Patroklos aber in des Königes Harnisch. Und es starben
Noch andere viel. Am Kithäron aber lag
Elevtherä, der Mnemosyne Stadt. Der auch als
Ablegte den Mantel Gott, das abendliche nachher löste
Die Loken. Himmlische nemlich sind
Unwillig, wenn einer nicht die Seele schonend sich
Zusammengenommen, aber er muß doch; dem
Gleich fehlet die Trauer.

FRIEDRICH HÖLDERLIN

* Again, from Hölderlin; my translation:
For nowhere he abides,
there binds
no sign.
Not ever
a vessel to contain him.

I am profoundly saddened by this news. My condolences to those who remain.

-ramon

Like Antonius, I am heartbroken at the news of Evan’s death. I can’t believe that we won’t hear his voice again in person, on the phone, or through his posts here on LTH.

I’ve been re-reading many of his LTH posts, missing him so much. No one else wrote like Evan!

This is my favorite thing that Evan wrote for LTH. It’s funny, manic, sweet and full of love, just like he was. And, fittingly, it’s about pizza.
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=59921

Amata

Thank God I met Evan and spent some little time with him while he was here. I thought the guy was a genius; a kind, generous, hilarious one.

This is saddening. My condolences. I always looked forward to his posts and hoped one day to meet him.

Amy, Tony, my condolences. What a terrible loss. And thank you, Amy, for directing us to that lovely post, which I had missed the first time around.

I haven't been on this forum very long and I haven't yet met any of you but I always so enjoyed the posts from hungryrabbi. The whole latest business with him getting a mention in the NY Times...it made me smile to read and I'm so sorry for all of you who were his friends. Losing someone is such a hard part of this existence of ours and please know that I'm thinking of your sadness right now. Words have such power but it's hard to find comfort in something like this.

Shannon

Sorry to hear about this...

I'll miss hungryrabbi.

R.I.P. Gus da Goose!

I did not know hungryrabbi personally, but I have very much enjoyed his contributions to LTH. Few if any other posters here have made me laugh to the point of tears and feeling as though my sides might split. I am saddened to consider that there will be no more.

The sting of unexpected loss is hellish. To his friends, I offer my condolences.

Condolences to his family and friends for their loss.

And thanks, Amy, for sharing a link to that touching piece of writing. It is--as some would say--the work of a mensch.

--Matt

I knew Evan as a drummer, he and the rest of the Demons were frequent guests on Monday nights at Artis's. We spoke a few times about music, his knowledge was broad and deep. It was later on, after I left Chicago, when I read this post of his about his favorite coffee shop, that I combined the persons in my brain. Now I am dwelling on all the conversations not had. It's not like I knew him well, and he certainly wouldn't recognize me, but this is very painful all the same. I can only imagine how his friends feel. Tony, thank you for the beautiful elegy.

My condolences to those who know him and also to those who enjoy his writing. I enjoy his posts very much - his writing belies his youth. I hope he is at peace.

Perhaps the thread title should be edited to include his screenname - I'm sure many would like to know but would not recognize his real name

I'm another poster who had some true "rolling on the floor, laughing" moments while reading hungryrabbi posts. My absolute favorite of his posts (the title was a classic)...
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=7438&highlight=hard+shrimp
He will really be missed on this board. My condolences to his family and friends.

I was so moved by Evan's Sonny's pizza postthat I PM'ed him to just to tell him what a great writer he was. He replied with a kind, self-effacing note that I have saved, of course. This news is very sad indeed.

Whenever the screenname hungryrabbi appeared on a thread my hand reflexively lurched for the mouse and I didn't return to what I was doing until I'd fully recovered from what was invariably brilliant and hilarious writing.

R.I.P.

It was my enormous good fortune to know Evan Garfinkel. He was a fine human being and his death is a deep sorrow.

I'm sorry to hear of Evan's death. i never had the chance to meet him. But, like many others, his posts here gave me many good laughs.

Hi everyone.. I met some of you about 2 years ago at a steakhouse with Evan... I just want to thank all of you for your kind words of rememberance..

I plan on being in Chicago sometime early in the new year, and there are some plans being discussed for some sort of memorial service.. if you'd like to know more, please contact me directly at ze3@qwertyuiop.com.. And since I am trying to keep the spam to a minimum, please replace the ".com" in the above address with a ".us".. that is the correct address for me..

binkley wrote:Hi everyone.. I met some of you about 2 years ago at a steakhouse with Evan... I just want to thank all of you for your kind words of rememberance..

I plan on being in Chicago sometime early in the new year, and there are some plans being discussed for some sort of memorial service.. if you'd like to know more, please contact me directly at ze3@qwertyuiop.com.. And since I am trying to keep the spam to a minimum, please replace the ".com" in the above address with a ".us".. that is the correct address for me..

Yes, the Gene & Georgetti's luncheon put together by JeffB. I sat by HR throughout lunch and had a great time listening and talking with Evan and the others.

Let me belatedly add my condolences to Evan's family and his friends. I, as so many others, enjoyed his writing. I still remember, in particular, reading the post that Amata linked to, above. And, witnessing the to-ing and fro-ing with Antonius, I looked forward to the day, someday, when I would have the opportunity to meet him.

Dave

My absolute favorite of his posts (the title was a classic)...
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t= ... ard+shrimp

My favorite too.
I just read about hungryrabbi today. I didn't know him but I looked forward to his posts as I do many of yours. My passions combine food and the written word. Hungryrabbi generously shared both with us. He will be missed.

Many thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts about Evan and the expressions of sympathy for his family and friends.

A memorial service for Evan in Chicago is planned to be held on Saturday, 20 January, starting at 12 noon. Further details will be available when arrangements are finalised.

If you are interested in attending, email or p.m. either me or Amata and we'll make sure you get the necessary information.

Antonius

Dear Friends -

On this day of peace, I've decided to set up a charitable fund at MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES in the name of Evan Garfinkel.
The website is www.justgiving.com/hungryrabbi .
I will be in Chicago on the 20th of Jan for the memorial.
www.pamsparrots.com

Please give what you can.
Thanks to you all.
Barrie (Bruno) Garfinkel
Cesseras, France
+33468916692

PS. For all Americans - check out www.futurephone.com . A free and easy way to call France and other countries for the same price as calling Iowa. From your cellphone you can call us for FREE !!!

Hello all,

I'm bumping this thread up with information about Evan's memorial service on Saturday, January 20. It will be at the Green Mill, from 1 to 5. (NB: not starting at noon, as was previously announced.) I'm sure that anyone who was touched by hungryrabbi's writings would be welcome to attend.

The Green Mill was one of Evan's favorite places to hang out and to play drums; they have donated the space for the memorial.

Please feel free to pm either me or Antonius if you need any more information.

Thanks,
Amata


The Green Mill
4802 N. Broadway Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60640

Querido Evan,

una ofrenda para ti. Du fehlst uns sehr.

abrazos,
A, A, & L

Antonius,

A fitting tribute. Thank you.

-ramon

edited to correct spelling

Nice thought, nicely done.

One thing I really like about my kids' school/Chicago/2007 is that Halloween is followed by everyone bringing pictures of those who have gone before to school for Day of the Dead, which of course means I help the kids pick out a picture and talk about the family member we choose (this year, my grandfather, football player at Notre Dame in the 20s). What was a rather indistinct semi-holiday on the calendar for me as a kid (All Saints' Day) becomes a much more meaningful opportunity for reflection and sharing family history with my kids. And it's great that my kids take a Mexican tradition for their own as readily as they do food.

As Pigmon quoted his friend the other day, "Tradition...it's there because it works!"

Again, a lovely thought and tribute and thank you for sharing it.

Is "Day of the Dead" celebrated on All Saints Day (November 1st) or All Souls Day (November 2nd)?

jlawrence01 wrote:Is "Day of the Dead" celebrated on All Saints Day (November 1st) or All Souls Day (November 2nd)?

Both.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead