E. Ben-Joseph:
CLASS OF 1958
Mellon Junior High SchoolClass of 1958
Pittsburgh, PA
Northwestern State UniversityClass of 1973
Natchitoches, LA
CUNY Brooklyn CollegeClass of 1971
Brooklyn, NY
Mt. Lebanon High SchoolClass of 1961
Pittsburgh, PA
Abraham Lincoln High School 410Class of 1961
Brooklyn, NY
E.'s Story
My name was Gene Kessler. I now use my Hebrew name, Eli Ben-Joseph. Before retiring I was a lecturer in English and historical conservation in a college in Israel. I am happily married to my wife Marcelle and have two grown children as well as grandchildren. I would love to hear from old friends.
I was head of the English Department for 12 years and taught for 26 years. I retired six years ago. This has given me time to write poetry, paint, carve, do carpentry and continue studying Greek, Hebrew and Russian.
The following were my answers to questions asked by the Wizard, so the order may not be entirely coherent.
I hope friends remember me as someone capable of changing for the better....
I always wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a good idea. As it turns out, they were right.
When I feel nervous or angry, I exercise: walk, jog, stretch, breathe.
The wildest thing I ever did in school was singing "The Big Rock Candy Mountain" in the school auditorium.
If I'm going to work somewhere, I need to have reliable colleagues, decent management, and worthwhile goals to be able to deal with the day-to-day. I had these things at my last workplace.
I don't have a hero, but admire people who are fair, open and communicative.
I have lived in a number of places in the US: mostly New York City, but also 5 years in Mt. Lebanon, Pa.; and a few years in Monterey, Ca.; I was a temporary resident in San Angelo, Tx.; O'brien, Oregon; and northern Louisiana. I was stationed in Turkey and Germany in US Army camps. I have lived in Israel since 1974, mostly on the northern coast. I moved around when young because my parents re-located for business reasons. I was curious about my Jewish roots and went to visit Israel, where I met my wife.
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is John Sherck, because he was a good, kind, forgiving and responsible friend and family man. He was a buddy in the US Army and afterwards. Unfortunately, he passe...Expand for more
d away when he was only 50 years old from the long-term effects of chemical exposure during the Vietnam War.
I enjoy watching historical dramas and thrillers like 24 but also like any film that is well done in the realm of drama and/or comedy.
My biggest surprise was finding the door open to doing a doctorate late in life and then finding a position in which to use it.
I received a grant for excellence during my doctoral studies.
My children have taught me to be more relaxed and to understand the importance of showing love.
I would most love to see my high-school English teacher, Mr. Nurnberg, because he imparted a literary fondness that has opened emotional and intellectual doors for me.
The only dorms that I have lived in were army barracks. I commuted to university.
I am happy being where I am, doing what I am doing and living with Marcelle.
My current age is 75. I retired at age 69. I continue to read, paint and draw, to make wood cut prints, to write poetry, to do carpentry, including sea-glass driftwood lamps, and to study Greek.
I don't know what happened to my first crush, but I do know that I remember her fondly....
When I was in high school, I was somewhat preoccupied with what was fashionable to wear. Today, I just prefer jeans and loose shirts.
I don't think I've ever done a weird job, but the most out-of-the-ordinary job I ever had was picking gladiola bulbs from the field for sorting and shipping.
My wife and I used to share our home with a cat that lived 19 years. He scratched and bit me nearly every day, but since he passed away, I've missed him terribly.
If I had a chance to do things over again, I would relive my earlier years with greater consideration for other people's feelings.
What would surprise other people at a high school reunion might be that I now make more of an effort to listen.
My first job was at a shower-door company, where I got paid very little to help with installations. What I remember most was being tired at the end of the day..
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