Dear all members of the extended Hakim family,

Thank you for all you kind words in sharing our sorrow these days. I would like to share with you some of my feelings. The funeral was on Thursday 19th February 1998 in Sydney. There were hundreds of people attending. Many I did not know. My father was loved by many people. As our black limousine passed the crowds, I could recognise some of his employees of 20 years ago, neighbours, many non-jewish friends, members of the Jewish Board of Deputies, State Zionist councils, customers, karate kids, bowling members etc.

The letters and telegrams haven't stopped pouring in. The State Jewish Board of Deputies gave 1 minutes silence at their meeting in respect. My father was truely a great man and although we are very sad by the loss, we feel honored and proud to be the leaves of his branch and hope that we can continue his legacy. We are all part of a beautiful tree that must continue to grow with the spirit of our fathers. May they all rest in peace.

At the funeral I could not wear black as my father was too bright in my eyes so I wore white and I read this piece at the gathering.

Dad - A shimmering light
As a chapter in my life is ending I turn over the page.
The page is a shimmering golden colour.
Very few people can go away and leave such a brightness.

There is no darkness around,
All white - white cusps of waves, white clouds, white cruise ships and a white bowling outfit

There is no shadow or gray around Dad.
Dad was so humble in his being. Not loud, not grandiose,
He had unbelievable energy to be part of life, to be part of history. If there was an injustice, a soviet demo to attend he was counted in the crowd.
He was not one for wanting power or fame, he wanted to be involved in life.
It was as simple and as grand as that.

All Dad really needed in this world was his family and his ancestral roots of his family. That gave him meaning. You cannot help but love a human being like that.
The things that guided him was his belief in Judaism. To carry on the Jewish tradition onto his kids. He couldn’t understand the morbid dark side of life.
He thought life was a gift! And the important thing is your health.
He knew his purpose in life and he lived by it. He set good examples for us.
He was satisfied with the simple things in life. Give him some doha, cheese and a moment of your time so he could tell you a joke and he would be happy .
Dad leaves behind him a wonderful legacy.
An inspiration, a simple gleaming white light

I also wrote a poem and I would like to share it with you:

As we all take turns to caress your forehead
Dreaming precious days gone by
Memories of the simple things you loved Daddy
I smile, and my tears go dry

Movie frames of family trips
keep flashing through my mind
With you Dad always there
full of love and happiness combined.

Eizer Lev Gadol Daddy,
What a big heart you have.

And all the days you ran around
sharing your stories and your jokes
strangers, customers and friends alike
winning the hearts of all the folks

You are our shimmering light, Daddy
proud, generous and bold
We ask you to keep guiding us, Daddy
as our new spirit unfolds

Eizer Lev Gadol Daddy
What a big heart you have

And as we lay you down to rest
we know you’ll find away out
to surprise us all in your own simple way
to make us laugh and shout

For there is no darkness around you Daddy
your light will always burn bright
In us and your friends and the world you touched
with your jokes and your love of life

Eizer Lev Gadol Daddy
What a big heart you have

Your belief in family and Jewish values
will always be without blemish,
and your pride in the Hakim heritage my Daddy
has strengthened us and the Israel you cherish

Your glowing flame within us my Daddy
has led us to lead others I’m sure
with love and honesty and humility my Daddy
our commitment to your legacy will be more.

Ezer Lev Gadol Daddy
Ezer lev Gadol

Till our souls meet you again my Daddy
We’ll continue to rejoice each day
with your light and the sunsets over the Mediterranean in our minds
and your warmth comforting us all the way

For you really succeeded in this world my Daddy
No mortal awards can show this day
For you have brought so many souls together
Thinking of you, an inspiration to us all, in your simple way.

Love to all the OLDIES AND KIDS of the extended Hakim family.
Danny Hakim

Danny Hakim
65 Portland St.
Dover Heights, Sydney
Australia
Tel.: 011-61-2-9371-0367
e-mail: wep@matra.com.au