Michael Eliastam

WOW! Thank you Alan Richards...I certainly dont remember two Les Berman's, but it explains a lot of the confusion. Ian Gross should remember the BSc one? Who else remembers the two of them, and can add to the narrative?

Erroll Hackner

I assumed this was the issue and commented to my wife Jewel about this confusion. I recall two Les Bermans - one much shorter and fairer than the other. Good detective work guys and what a sad story.

Michael Belman

Yes - that fits with my recollection. As a fellow pulmonologist I saw and spoke to the Les Berman (deceased) on several occasions over the years. He worked at McMaster U in Hamilton Ontario and subsequently went into private practice. I heard from his colleagues at American Thoracic Society meetings later that he had died. 

David Nathanson

I just saw the Seftel video: stunning! Wouldn't it be wonderful to have teachers like that now? Maybe there are some but the world has changed so much they would be hard to find. Thanks so much to Ryan Kramer for the privilege of listening to one of our favorite teachers.

Edward Gomperts

Much thanks to Ryan and Mike in posting the link to Harry Seftel`s video on smoking. Vintage Seftel in a number of ways. It is 49 years, this month that I started my internship in Harry Seftel`s unit together with Mary Edgington as my co-intern. Choosing to do my medical internship in Harry`s unit was one of the more important professional decisions that framed my future career.  It was a very challenging six months, especially as we had Mike Kew as our Registrar who was almost non-existent in his support. I especially remember one night when I was struggling to manage a patient with diabetic keto-acidosis, with Mike`s advice non-existent, that Harry walked into the unit at 10:30 pm after being to a theater performance, recognized the serious clinical situation as well as my and the patient`s predicament and promptly guided me over the next half-hour as how best to manage the challenging and evolving clinical situation. However I particularly remember Harry as a superb clinical scientist, a data-driven clinician of the highest order and most important, an empathic physician. His style of leadership and example as a patient focused physician was beyond value to me.

Ryan Kramer

The kudos for the video really belong to Brian and Serina Kopinsky, who dug it up and passed it to me.

Brian is a fellow South African. We sing in the same shul choir. Remember Baruch Ha Baa at weddings?

Goolam Moosa

John King

I don't know whether this is the correct place to post messages but this greeting comes with sincerity and appreciation:  

 A blessed Rosh Hashanah to all my Jewish friends and colleagues, John King

Michael Belman

Hi John. Definitely the right place to post a notice - your good wishes are much appreciated. Our website is now exactly 3 years old having been established in September 2014 and we are paid up through 2021 - almost enough to get to the 55th reunion. So to you and to all others we welcome updates.

The note from Otto tells of the passing of Basil van Iddekinge (Pat Nathan also sent me this information). Remembrances are welcome and will be posted to the In Memoriam section.

Henry Martin

Something i noticeda few years ago: our class photo shows a few faces that are not mentioned in classmates list. Two that i noticed are BillGibson and Brian Bethlehem. Am I correct or are these the tangles around my Betz cells talking?   

Michael Eliastam

Henry Martin pointed out that we seem to be missing two students from our class--- Bill Gibson and Brian Bethlehem-I cant remember where i got the original list but I believe it was from the Wits Alumni office which gave me the list for the first year class. So, can someone hep me with this? Were they in our first year? Did they join us during the 6 years for whatever reason?

I will check the graduation lists at the University to see if we can nail down when they started and when they graduated.

Pat Nathan (Amitai)

There were a few students that didn't finish with the rest of the class and had to redo final exams. Could this be the reason ?

C Hillel Hurwitz

Brian Bethlehem is a retired Anaesthetist. Lives in Jhb

Hilly Hurwitz

Michael Eliastam

Wits alumni office tells me both graduated in 1967, one year after we did, but they cant tell me their year of entry into WMS. Does anyone remember either of them being in our class somewhere along the way?

Henry Martin

Mike, if you look at the class photo on this website, they're both there.

Henry

Michael Eliastam

OK, Class, I need help here..If Herny is correct that both are in the Final Year photo, and the Wits Alumni Office says they gradauted in 1967, not with us, wat gaan aan hier? Anyone have any good ideas?

Michael Belman

Why not ask them directly?

John King

Happy Hanukkah to all my Jewish friends and colleagues.  John King

Robert Jacobson

Hi John, Thank you for the Hanukkah greeting. I wish you and all our classmates from ‘66 a Happy and Peaceful Holiday Season and Healthy New Year. May we all enjoy good health,and sending kindest regards Robert Jacobson .

John King

Thanks so much, Rob.  Everything of the best to you and all your loved ones! 

John King

To all my Jewish friends and colleagues, I pray you have a joyous and fruitful Shavuot. John King

John King

Shanah Tovah, friends and colleagues!  

Alan Reichman

Thanks John 

I too convey greetings to all our Jewish class members for a Happy New Year 

Alan Reichman 

John King

I'm a couple of days late for the start, but "Happy Hanukkah to all my Jewish friends and colleagues".  John King

Eric Faerber

Hi John,

Many thanks for your Hanukkah greetings to the Class of  '66.

Esme and I send best wishes to all classmates of  '66 and families for a wonderful Holiday Season and a very happy,healthy New Year.