Very recently Mervyn Medicks sent me an email: “The family felt that there should remain a website of my works (www.life-love-art.net). I also felt that perhaps there may be some in ESRA who may also be interested. As you may know, I was forced to give up all my volunteering activities (ESRA English) some months ago. These were indeed eventful years which I cherish.” And then a second email responding to my question of whether he was ill: “A month ago I was informed that I just a few months left to go. My youngest son insisted on preparing a website which he did with another friend and myself. I'm pleased you like it. I carry on as I always did, high of spirit each day, each moment precious and wonderful.” On hearing from Mervyn that he was soon to die, I collated material on him in order to write up an article about him, hoping that Mervyn would live to see it, but it was not to be as Mervyn passed away on December 27 – a tribute by Fiona Kaufman of Metrowest school, letters in their original form students which Mervyn sent me as well as some biographical notes based. All this appears in the “Spirit of ESRA” column as was my original intention, and I have left it here rather than in the In Memoriam section.

Mervyn Medicks was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1928 and came to Israel with his Israeli-born wife and two small sons in 1961.  For some thirty years he was well known in computer centers, helping in the design and planning of continuous forms. An incurable romantic and autodidact, in 1967 he was strongly drawn to “converse” with nature in color. Particularly important to him was to develop a style to “bring the painting to life” in the firm belief that there’ll always be a place for nature and its forces in art. As he writes:

Oh! the powers that wheel the world

That turn a leaf to face the sun

That grind the flint to motes of dust

That fling a star to endless flight

That give the firefly its flick of light

That spin our world and bring the night

Oh! The powers given me

That all these wonders I should see    

Following his “personal truth” led to a distinctive style in his art.

After retiring in 1990 he took to writing.

Some ten years ago he became an active volunteer in ESRA, working with 'bagrut' (matriculation) students until a few months ago which afforded him very deep satisfaction these last years. Testimony to his successful work and the impact he had with Metro West students can be read in the article by Fiona Kaufman and the letters in their original form from some of the students whose lives he touched.

Mervyn also organized in Raanana in 1997 an exhibition and sale of his paintings, all proceeds going to the ESRA Community Fund. In 2003 he was a recipient of an ESRA Volunteer Award.

To learn more about Mervyn and his views on life, read his poems and see his paintings, readers are warmly invited to his new website www.life-love-art.net 

A tribute to Merv from Metrowest High School by Fiona Kaufman

Another Wednesday morning, and another double English lesson looming. However, the already weary faces somehow have a different demeanor once a week because yes, Wednesday is our volunteer morning! In the corridors of Metrowest High School the kids are already anticipating the smiling face of Merv Medicks, who, along with his volunteers-in-arms, graces us once a week, allowing not only 10 minutes of English conversation to the lucky few who have their turn that week, but lessons of life which transcend language.

Upon asking who is first to go to Merv who sits on his regular bench outside, a sea of hands wave in the air, and the lucky first is out. Fifteen minutes later this ritual is repeated and three students have had their English fix for the week, whilst those who missed out are busy ensuring that they will be first the following week.

“Did he read you 'If'?” one student asks, referring to Merv’s famous mini-poetry lessons. “Did he speak to you about driving,” asks another. As the weeks roll on, Merv’s words of wisdom and lessons of life, all in English of course, become famous throughout the corridors of Metrowest. Yes, Wednesday is our volunteer morning and yes, the weary faces of our year-12 students are somehow brighter once a week, brightened up by 15 short minutes which, though short in time, will surely remain long after classes finish.

The majority of students who were lucky enough to be touched by Mervyn Medicks are now serving in the army. We, the English staff at Metrowest, therefore thank Merv on their behalf for the years of voluntary service at our school. Merv enriched the lives of our students on so many levels. Through our volunteers, the students learned of English speaking immigrants who left countries of comfort for love of the Jewish state. They saw the amazing work people are committed to doing on a voluntary basis and they had the chance to be listened to once a week by someone who cared. Finally, they did get to practice their English and, as the results over the years have indicated, practice makes perfect. 

So, from us to you Merv, thank you for all the lives and hearts you enriched and touched at our school.

With love,

The English staff and students at Metro. 

Fiona Kaufman is a teacher and is in charge of English at Mor Metrowest High School.