I know I'm writing this entry a year too late, but last Saturday I had great screening of one of our Ripple films so I've decided to thank a man I owe much of it to...

“You die twice, once when you pass away and once when you are forgotten.”

Deceivingly simple words, which had a life changing and profound effect on me, these are the words of poet and writer Herman Taube. Words which echo through my mind as a reflection of a past, strength of a present and hope for a future.Herman Taube was (is) known around the jewish community in Rockville, Maryland. as the inquisitive, loving and ever curious writer and keeper of jewish stories and folklore, which one can read here.

But to me the connection was more personal. My memories of Herman are through his conversations with my grandfather...

The "Living Room" scene while shooting The Ripple Project ONE

My grandfather was introduced to Herman by my uncle Yankel Ginzburg. The introduction was a natural one, Herman was a well known writer in the Maryland and DC Jewish community, my uncle a famous painter and sculpture, known very well in the area for his modern and his Judaica work. My grandfather, whose just arrived from Israel with my grandmother to settle in my uncle's house for their golden years, found America to be a lonely place. Even though he was surrounded by family, the language barrier has created an almost impenetrable wall to society. He began to slowly drown in the daily routine of golden age and suburbia, accompanied by the growing pain of survivors' guilt. He found solace in the typewriter and daytime TV. Smiles became less frequent. The introduction to Herman changed that...

Shooting the Living Room scene while shooting The Ripple Project ONE

Living at my uncle's at the same time, I can still recall the endless chatter, the laughter, the tears and giggles I would hear coming from my grandfather's room. Initially I would knock on the door expecting my grandmother to be there, but what I found was him chatting on the phone. "They are like teenagers," My grandmother would say. He was on the phone with Herman.Herman could do what so few could, he found entries into people's soul. He's gentle smile, inquisitive nature and incredible attentiveness is a comfort impossible to explain unless one experiences it. Yet, there is a true complex story behind the soft eyes and loving embraces. Herman has seen the darkness of men, has suffered losses that are unimaginable to me, and I'm sure to most who read this, yet he was there to listen, to smile and most importantly to WRITE. He wrote and wrote until his last day. Between the book publishing, the poems, the anecdotes and words of wisdom, he spent his time listening to others and recording their stories. He was able to look beyond the pain and anger of his personal loss to push forward with one most the important duties we have as a society and that is to learn and remember. I admire Herman for that and until this day, I'm inspired.

I also had the honor to work with Herman on the first film in The Ripple Project, where I filmed him listening to his closest friend, my grandfather, recorded memoirs. What started as an experiment in cinema and story telling became a life project.

— Thank you popsi.