EULOGY GIVEN BY RABBI F. W. ISSERMAN

OF TEMPLE ISRAEL AT FINAL SERVICES FOR

ALBERT AUFRICHTIG

April 9, 1935

The Kaddish is not a prayer for the dead, but in honor of them. It heralds the glories of God, and holds up the vision of the kingdom of righteousness. Not merely when the heralds of spring appeared, nor when a rich harvest was gathered did our fathers praise God, but also when tempests whirled around them and the angel of death entered the family circle. Before the open grave, our fathers said "Hallowed and extolled be the name of God, whose ways are just and righteous." Instead of weeping vainly over their tragedy or paralyzing themselves with the memory of their loss, they looked upward to behold the majestic firmament, to see back of it its Creator, and by Him were inspired afresh to carry out His commands. Such was the healing balm of the Kaddish. It was soothing ointment poured into the wounds of the suffering. 0 God, may such balm ease the burden of those so suddenly stunned and so grievously stricken that they succumb neither to bitterness nor despair, that they accept Thy destiny, submit to Thy decree, and nobly resolve to carry out Thy will.

Though the death of Albert Aufrichtig is tragic, his life was triumphant. He lived fully, completely, intensely, joyously. He possessed energy, zest and enthusiasm. He was well-rounded and had many interests. In his business, he was a hard worker and displayed wisdom and vision. He was as honorable as his name, but his work did not enslave him. He did not live to work, but he worked to live. Conscious of his duties as a citizen, he gave of himself to civic causes. To his work, for himself, he added the labor of love for his fellowman. His supreme achievement was his family. What a beautiful relationship existed between his wife and their boys! His home was his palace. He loved to be in it. He approached it as one does an altar, to place upon it the offering of love and kindness, of understanding and cooperation. He knew that business success and approval of one's fellowman were ephemeral unless accompanied by family happiness. Fifteen years of love were his, memorable, unforgettable. With his boys, he was a boy. He did not neglect them. They were his joys. With them, he relived his childhood. He was their big brother, and they his pals.  He loved all boys and hence worked for better education and became a leader in school circles. Because he appreciated the out-of-doors, and sensed the significance of nature in character building, he gave himself to the Boy Scout movement. The tragedy of his sudden death is assuaged in part by the fullness of his life, the loveliness of his character. His years were few, but his talents and accomplishments many. He lives on in the memory of his business associates, appreciative of his rectitude, in the hearts of his friends, touched by his affection, and the life of his wife and boys, for whom he will ever be a radiant meteor streaking across the night of eternity. He lives on with God. Righteous as he was, he is now part of the Source of all Righteousness.

Our father in Heaven, mayest Thou be with her, upon whom Thou hast entrusted a double task. May she be filled with the spirit of wisdom and of understanding. Mayest Thou give her the vision, the inspiration, the courage and the character, to rear their boys so that through them the memory of their father will ever remain a blessing.

Eulogy reproduced by kind permission of the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, Cincinatti Campus, Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion.