Dov Wisebrod A’h (‘90) passed away on December 29, 2021. He was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at age 21. Despite the obstacle of the disease, Dov was both driven and determined. He accomplished so much, both in his personal life and professional one, including writing software to allow those with ALS and similar diseases to use a computer. He is remembered fondly by his classmates from Or Chaim, who reflect on their time at school with him, his character, and their friendship. 

Reflection by Michael Shore (‘90):

Dov and I were close friends for almost 30 years, beginning in elementary school and continuing through the end of high school. Growing up, we shared many of the same interests. But as in all things, Dov was always one step ahead. For example, I finally got my first CD player but Dov aspired to purchase a high-end multi-component CD system and speakers. It was sitting in his room within a few years. Home computers were starting to become more popular when we were growing up, but Dov’s could already play music and display beautiful colour while the rest of us were stuck with blips, beeps and green screens.

Dov was casual about his successes, but confident in his ability to do so. Both of us were the top students in Mrs. Freedman’s English classes, but while I got 90s, Dov always got the 95s. And that was just English. He achieved those same results in chemistry, gemara and other subjects as well.

Dov was quick to laugh and able to poke fun at himself. One time in Mrs. Woolf’s class Dov was doing something other than the assigned work – no doubt it was work for some other class. One of us pointed that out but Mrs. Woolf’s response was at the ready: “Dov can afford to meander.” That made it into Dov’s yearbook memories.

One year during high school winter break Dov and I went to Florida. I was staying at my Hungarian great-uncle’s apartment and Dov came by to pick me up. My rather short uncle opened the door, gazed up at Dov in his imposing 1.93m frame, looked at me, and closed the door in his face. Of course Dov laughed harder than the two of us combined when the door was reopened.

Dov lived close to Or Chaim, which meant that his home was open to our class if we had a free period or needed to study for exams, such as pooling our information when it came to Dr. Ragnekar’s famous multiple choice biology exams.

When Dov was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21, he was determined to use the time he had to enjoy life before the disease affected his mobility, which included booking a trip to Australia. He spent a few weeks there and my children and I still play with the boomerang he brought back for me.

He approached his disease like everything else – directly and with great reserves of pragmatism. drive and determination. But he wouldn’t suffer fools. We had come back from a concert and I was dropping him off at home. When he got out of the car he stumbled and fell, and had difficulty getting up. I stood there for a moment, unsure what to do. He looked at me and said, “C’mon, help me up!” No self-pity, just directness so the job could get done. And that was Dov in a nutshell.

When Dov passed away, one of my first thoughts was about what he would have accomplished had he not been ill – the unrealized potential. And that’s the thing. Because of Dov’s personality, he did so much even though he was locked inside his body – in his personal life and professional one. Not one to take his diagnosis and limitations without a fight, he wrote software to allow those with ALS and similar diseases to use a computer. He enjoyed his music and he communicated his wishes with relentless patience. He was a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend.

He will be sorely missed.

Quotes from classmates:

Isaac Oziel: Dov never seemed phased by pressure because he was always prepared. He was very mature for his age.

Shea Kahn: He really was a great human. So full of warmth and positivity.

David Spiegel: He was a good guy, always studious and he grew up before his time. His boots remain legendary.

Tuvia Aronson: Dov was an independent thinker, dedicated and consistent in whatever his focus was.

Eldad Zamir:  

לזכרו של דב וייסברוד

בסך הכל היינו שבעה תלמידים בשנה האחרונה ללימודי התיכון בישיבת אור-החיים בטורונטו. קבוצה קטנה ומגובשת. דב היה “מִשִּׁכְמוֹ וָמַעְלָה גָּבֹהַּ מִכָּל הָעָם” במובנים רבים. פיסית, הוא היה לפחות ראש מעל כולם, אך יותר מזה הוא היה סוג של “המבוגר האחראי”. בוגר יותר מכולנו. מדבר לאט ובנחת. מסודר, מאורגן מדויק וחכם. עם הציונים הכי טובים בכל מקצועות הלימוד. לעולם אהייה אסיר תודה על שעזר לי (הישראלי) בדידקטיות עם מה שנאמר בכיתה ועם שיעורי הבית.

לאחר סיום לימודי התיכון חזרתי ארצה ונתפרדה החבילה. מספר שנים מאוחר יותר חודש הקשר עת קיבלתי בצער את ההוכחה למשפט המפחיד ביידיש: “דער מענטש טראַכט און גאָט לאַכט”. אמנם משפטן מבריק כצפוי וכמתוכנן, אך בלמבורגיני הוא כבר לא ינהג. דיונים ארוכים היו לנו אז דרך האימייל בנושאים תיאולוגיים, פילוסופיים ואמונה יהודית. דיונים קשים, מתוך תחושת אכזבה וכעס. שיחות ארוכות ונוקבות, אך מכבדות. הסכמנו שלא להסכים.

Translation from Original

In memory of Dov Weisbrod

In total, we were seven students in our last year of High School at Yeshivat Or Chaim in Toronto. Dov was “head and shoulders above the nation” (Shmuel I 9:2) in many different ways. Physically, he was at least a head taller than the rest, but more than this he was a type of “responsible mentor.” Older than all of us. Speaking slowly and gently. Organised, ordered in an exact and wise manner. With the best marks in all areas of studies. I will always be thankful for the fact that he helped me (the Israeli) didactically with what was said in class and with homework. 

After I finished high school I returned to Israel and the rope frayed (we fell out of contact). A few years afterward the connection was renewed when I painfully received the proof of the scary phrase in Yiddish ‘Der  Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht,’  “That man plans and G-d laughs.” Although the sentence is brilliant as expected and as is intended, it no longer rides in a Lamborghini. We had long discussions via email about topics relating to theology, philosophy, and Jewish faith. Difficult discussions, from a sense of disappointment and anger. Long and point conversation, yet they were respectful. We agreed to disagree.