A New York moment, you cannot forget !

A few years back maybe three, someone knocks at my door unannounced, then my doorbell rings, I was occupied on a telephone conversation so I went to open the door while continuing talking on my phone.  Since I live in a doorman building in a high-rise co-op in Manhattan, most visitors must be announced by a special intercom, evidently this person was not. So I was very surprised that knocking at my door was one of the world’s most famous comedian and producer, a man, I had revered for so many years. While I opened the door, the man realized that he had inadvertently erred on another floor and that my apartment was not his final destination. He had mistakenly pushed the wrong elevator button.  To my astonishment, he looked at my door and asked me if I was Jewish, I told him, I was, as if the mezuzah on my door was not enough to confirm his query.  He looked at me, and said,  what a beautiful mezuzah , you have.  Now, I have to help you a little, this man, was at the time the biggest success on Broadway, and having him on my doorstep commenting on my Mezuzah was a surrealistic experience to me. He continued in the conversation by asking me where  can he buy such a mezuzah, I said to myself, what do I do, should I just unscrew mine from the door and give it to him in admiration?  For a few minutes more, I had this incredible New York moment with the man I admired most, telling him that I met him on his studio lot years ago at the cantina, and that for me it was a Hollywood highlight, I never forgot. ( I was seventeen and it was truly a fun memory).

Realizing the frustration of my “new friend” , I told him that this mezuzah was created by a very famous artist. He said really? (as if any one more famous than me?) . He asked who was it, I told him Yaacov Agam, and then he said Oh! Then it must be very expensive!  We agreed that I would send him one and that was the end of it.

So today I just realized that Mel Brooks must be still waiting for his mezuzah because I forgot to send it to him,  absent minded that I am.  And today was his birthday as I was informed by CNN and in a flashback; I remembered my moment with him on my doorstep.

Agam Mezuzah