In Hebrew, ‘ben’ (בן) means ‘son’ or ‘son of’.
* * *
David Bogomolny was born in Jerusalem to parents who made Aliyah from the USSR in the mid-70’s. He grew up in America and returned to Israel as an adult. He works as a grant writer for the Jewish Agency for Israel. He and his wife and daughter live in Jerusalem.
He began writing the ‘Skeptic’s Kaddish for the Atheist’ in Jerusalem, Israel, 30 days after burying his father in South Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. His series was originally published on the Times of Israel blogs.
The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱 
You been on hollys David? Welcome back. You’ve returned with a rush. Phew….
It’s just getting hard to keep up with so many blogs, Don!
No need to apologise. I can completely understand….
Hi, Ben, I noticed that after reading my post once almost two months ago and leaving enthusiastic comments, you are since popping up regularly to tell me that you liked my comment here or there. I have stopped reading your posts because it is a common courtesy to read each other work.
Joanna
Hi, Joanna.
My ‘liking’ a comment of yours on somebody else’s blog is sincere and has nothing to do with either your blog or mine. I have no expectations that you or anyone else will read my blog. Personally, I have found that I am especially drawn to poetry blogs and blogs that share personal narratives.
I wish you all the very best,
David
Oddly enough, I was enjoying an Irish whiskey while I read. I enjoyed your most recent post although I know nothing of religion or poetry. Thank you.
Wait, why is that odd? I consider it perfectly normal 🙂
Cheers! 🥃
David
Beautiful piece about your father David. Really thoughtful, thought provoking and interesting. I was surprised to hear he was an atheist but everyone knows who reads my blog that I am not only a believer but have enormous faith. Although I respect everyones choice to worship their religion, of course. I just found that interesting. I love the way you ending this tribute to your father. Your unique style of writing is very lovely. Love and hugs, Joni
Thanks, Joni.
I’m not an atheist myself (that’s why this is the skeptic’s kaddish), but I am certainly not somebody of enormous faith by ANY stretch… judging by the people that I’ve met throughout my life, I’ve found almost no correlation between those who are goodhearted and those who have faith. There are wonderful people who believe, and there are horrible people who believe. There are wonderful people who don’t believe, and there are horrible people who don’t believe. That’s what I’ve found 🙂
You are 100 percent right my friend. I hope if you met me in a store and we had some sort of exchange you would be able to see a light in me that made you wonder what my thing was. I can spot a person with great faith in a store sometimes without talking to them and I will say, “Your a person of great faith aren’t you!” Usually the person will smile and share a bit of their story. Have a blessed evening my friend. Hugs 🤗 Joni
Oh so sad to hear about your father.but you are a best writer.please continue your this great job.
Thank you very much, Aruna!
Welcome,dear!!
You visited and liked my blog, so now I return the courtesy. I truly like your blog, the memories, stories you tell, and thoughts you explore seemingly all related to multi-cultural Judaism as you follow your family’s trek from Russia to Israel to the US and back and forth. I know how much effort you put into this–thank you for it.
Thank you so much – that’s very kind of you. My name is David, BTW. It’s nice to meet you!
Good to meet you, Ben! I also have learnt something here, and it’s never too late to learn! Ashley
Likewise, Ashley 🙂
I’m not so young myself – in my forties!
Sorry Ben, that is young! I’m not quite twice your age at 70 and I’m not sure I’m a match for your wit and wisdom here! But like I said, I’m here to learn. PS I’m in Northern Ireland and have no Jewish connections that I’m aware of.
Ashley, I’ve never been to Ireland, but I do enjoy Irish whiskey 🥃
P.S. Thank you so much for the kind compliment!
P.P.S. Ultimately, we’re all just human. Real wisdom is recognizing that, I think.
thank you for the typos….i didn’t notice it. hahaha,,,,i just re-read it once…..thanks again !
my pleasure!
The pleasure is all mine:)
Thanks 🙂
Wow so much of meaning behind your blog. I learnt something today. Got to appreciate the thought though.You truly are creating a world of your own through our work.
Thank you!
I am sorry to hear. But you are doing a great job by remembering through our poems. I have a very curious question why did you call your blog skeptic kaddish and you have a section of your blog called kaddish year.
well, the “kaddish” is a traditional Jewish mourning ritual, and I wanted to commit myself to it… but I struggle with faith, and I struggle with much of the mythology behind the purpose of “kaddish”… Also, my father was an atheist, and he was not interested in ritual… so I felt that I had to research and write about “kaddish” for at least two major reasons: 1) to preserve my sanity by giving myself a voice in response to the tradition, and 2) to honor my intellectual father by researching and personalizing the experience of “kaddish” so that it would be more than simply a ritual – but rather something truly meaningful.
I really like how you’re trying to blend the ritual with the skepticism.
Thanks, Zoe. I don’t know how to be any other way.
Yours,
David
Hi there, glad to meet you. I just the your poem section. Loved the recent one about your father. I guess I understand the feeling of knowing other languages
nice to meet you too 😀
I’ve written two poems about my father:
1) https://skepticskaddish.com/2020/05/08/natural-english-or-sidespin/
2) https://skepticskaddish.com/2020/06/10/beast-or-memoir/
But most of poetry isn’t about him… even though his death was the catalyst for the creation of this blog.