Mark Isakowitz

Father, Grandfather, Husband, Chief of Staff @davemccormickpa. Author of the upcoming book Wisdom in the House of Mourning: Kaddish, My Father, and Me.

[Mark Isakowitz @MIsakowitz]

Proud to announce my new book, Wisdom in the House of Mourning: Kaddish, My Father, and Me. Foreword by my friend @dansenor. Published by Wicked Son.

For the last several years I have been writing the story about my father’s journey from Auschwitz to America, and my own from grief to growth. I am excited to share it.

[Mark Isakowitz @MIsakowitz]

A few thoughts as we head into July fourth weekend…

It has been two hundred and fifty years since the Declaration bravely asserted our inalienable right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  These words are especially poignant for me, having grown up in an immigrant household, surrounded by parents and relatives who had those inalienable rights denied to them. Through a mix of fortitude, lucky breaks, and the grace of God, they made it to America to have those rights restored in the greatest country on earth.  

My father survived Auschwitz after losing his mother and two siblings there.  My mother endured  the Holocaust as a hidden child, learning as a little girl to answer to a false name to hide her Judaism.  They both came from Czechoslovakia, met for the first time on a blind date in Cleveland, Ohio, and had a second chance for a good life here.  I write about all of this in my upcoming book, Wisdom in the House of Mourning [link in bio].

But for purposes of today, I will simply post their wedding pictures, taken on June 20, 1952, in which you can see in their smiles the happiness that comes not only from their love for each other, but from the gratitude that results from reaching the shores of the land of the free.

Happy 250th, America.

[Tevi Troy @TeviTroy]

#WisdomintheHouseofMourning “tells the story of @MIsakowitz grappling with the loss of his father, who immigrated to America after surviving Auschwitz, & Isakowitz’s daily practice of reciting the mourner’s prayer…” @GSDeutch @jewishinsider https://t.co/cjLmaQQ0CQ

[Jewish Insider @jewishinsider]

On Capitol Hill, it’s usually the senators who publish books, not their staffers. But in the office of @DaveMcCormickPA, chief of staff @MIsakowitz is now gearing up for a book release

@GSDeutch reports:

https://t.co/hWa50aPozG

[Dave McCormick @DaveMcCormickPA]

Proud to highlight my dear friend Mark Isakowitz’s riveting new book about Jewish faith, family, and a son’s journey of discovery. Through his deep exploration of his father’s remarkable life — and his own mourning of his father’s death — Mark inspires each of us to reflect on who we are, what we value, and to cherish our many blessings.

[Matt Brooks @mbrooksrjc]

I’m very excited that my good friend Mark Isakowitz has written an incredibly powerful book about his journey to discover his faith and powerful family history through his commitment to honor the memory of his father. It’s a story that will resonate and uplift you.

https://t.co/jmhYXQQOiS

[Matthew Continetti @continetti]

My friend Mark Isakowitz has written a moving memoir of faith and family history. Highly recommended—link in replies.

[Eliana Johnson @elianayjohnson]

Read this beautiful book by @MIsakowitz in galleys and can’t recommend it enough - https://t.co/7nGCqmbv2m

[Brad Todd @BradOnMessage]

I can't wait to read this new book by my friend Mark Isakowitz. My perspective on mourning and funerals has changed a great deal as I have aged and Mark's such a t thoughtful person I expect to think even harder. Pre-order the book today!
https://t.co/5bKegKXsPK

[Mark Isakowitz @MIsakowitz]

Pre-order on Amazon: https://t.co/jSlX3acP8X
Pre-order on Barnes & Noble: https://t.co/rHVTUQ3wEb

[Mark Isakowitz @MIsakowitz]

Proud to announce my new book, Wisdom in the House of Mourning: Kaddish, My Father, and Me. Foreword by my friend @dansenor. Published by Wicked Son.

For the last several years I have been writing the story about my father’s journey from Auschwitz to America, and my own from grief to growth. I am excited to share it.