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Jo Ellen Slurzberg's avatar

Julie- Your dad was a terrific person- Both he and your mom were a big part of my life and integration into the North when I moved to NJ. This is a beautiful tribute to him. He would be so proud of the woman you are today. Thanks for sharing this.

P.S. the Key Club and Keyettes (women) were service clubs in high schools back in the day- raising money for things the school needed and doing service projects. Bell Labs was the research lab arm for the the telecom - at that time telephone- industry. If you want to know more about Bell Labs, my husband Mike may be able to help!

Best to you.

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Hi Jo Ellen,

Thank you so much for this wonderful message and letting me know what Key Club does, as well as what Bell Labs was. If Mike heard anything about Bell labs or what my dad did, I'd love to know. Also, I'm glad to hear mom and dad helped you adjust to life in the North. ❤️ I'm assuming good meals were had too

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Christina Chung's avatar

I’m over here crying before 9am! And then losing it over your dad’s bear and him being locked in researching art schools with you.

This is such a beautiful and vibrant picture of who he was as a person, someone who loved and was loved so deeply. Thank you for sharing these memories with us Julie 🤍

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Sorry for making you cry and laugh so early in the morning, but thank you for reading Christina! I'm glad I could share stories about my dad with you

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Christina Chung's avatar

A laugh and a cry that were very much worth it 🥺🩷

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Michelle Perez's avatar

Your dad sounds like an incredibly sweet and loving man, and makes me think of those same qualities I see in you too. Even down to the humor-- the Terminator panel really made me laugh. I need to know what he was teaching that warranted a costume! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute, Julie <3

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

My god Michelle, you are going to make me cry. Thank you so much for reading. And it means so much to hear your see him in me. Bahhhhh. Time to go get some tissues and ponder.

Also I don't know what his lesson plan for the Terminator costume was. Maybe one day his student can message me and tell me.

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Allison Keys's avatar

What a beautiful story of his life. So sweet and loving.

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Thank you for reading Allison! He was a true sweet guy

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Lindsey Bryan's avatar

So beautiful Julie. Thank you so much for sharing. I was also in key club though I couldn't explain to you what it means besides doing some charity work throughout high school!

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Thank you! And it seems like it's a charity club? The nice thing about this post is that I'm learning more about key club

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Johanna Kim's avatar

Loved reading about your dad. He sounds so wonderful.

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Thank you for reading! He really was a good dad and man.

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Kat Schneider's avatar

This was such a joy to read. Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt tribute to your dad with us❤️

Also! My grandmother worked at Bell Labs in Holmdel, NJ (which I'm assuming is the same lab that you mentioned your dad worked in). I believe they worked on telephones/cellphones and might've developed the Big Bang Theory there? Nobody in my family knew quite what my grandmother did there either. It's an interesting coincidence that they film Severance there...the work was mysterious and important, I guess.

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Thank you for reading Kat! ❤️

And ohhhhhhh. That is so mysterious. What is going on in there?!!!

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Mabel's avatar

What a tender tribute, Julie. xx

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Thank you for reading! ❤️

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Taylor Sterling's avatar

Beautiful and moving, Julie. Thank you for sharing.

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Ah thank you so much for reading Taylor!

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Meera Lee Patel's avatar

really beautiful, Julie. thanks for sharing with all of us. ❤️❤️❤️

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Thank you so much for reading!

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Hollins KidLit's avatar

Julie - this is so touching. What a lovely man. I am a better today having learned about him. Sending love and hugs, e Dulemba

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Ah shucks. Thank you for reading E! I'm glad I could tell you about him

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Mariya Goltseva's avatar

What a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to your dad. Made me tear up. 🤍

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Thank you for reading!

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Yuko's avatar

Thank you for sharing Julie <3 This was a beautiful read this morning.

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Thank you Yuko! Hope you are doing well!

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Erika Tovi's avatar

What a stunning way to honor your dad’s life. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Thank you so much for reading about him!

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Jill Comess's avatar

Julie,

What a beautiful tribute to your dad. I also believe that he is with you and Carole each day. He loved you both so much. Uncle David was one of the smartest people that I have ever known. He and Aunt Carole loved to travel, even when you were young. The trips that you all went on were amazing. And I loved watching them share their meals at restaurants, even desserts! I am glad you have such fabulous memories. Uncle David would be so proud of you and the amazing woman that you are! I am thinking of you and Carole and sending my love.

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Hi Jill,

Thank you so much for your message. I'm glad to hear dad was cool uncle of sorts and that you got to see so many parts of him, from his intelligence to his meal sharing. I think he'd be proud of all you've done too!

Love from mom and I!

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Kim Salt's avatar

Thank you for sharing such a full and tender portrait of your dad, Julie 💗 His love for you is so palpable; the detail of the little cut fruits and the art school spreadsheets really say it all. A math/physics dad with a heart of gold :’)

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Julie Benbassat's avatar

Thank you Kim. He used his math/stem brain for wholesome good (thank god haha)

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