A Letter to George Awad, MD*

Dear George

It's been a while since we've spoken so I thought that I would write you this brief note to catch up on some things and to continue our ongoing dialogue. I've really enjoyed our interchange and the time you have taken to introduce me to two sacred texts — one very serious and one lighthearted. Our beginning to look at different translations of the Koran as they pertain to the Jews has been most illuminating and thought-provoking. Your knowledge and appreciation of Islam is so evident in that excellent chapter you wrote on the Prophet in Salman's new book on Islam. And — your sharing your secret barbeque recipe from “The Grilling Bible” has been a great treat. That special blend of cayenne pepper and brown sugar is terrific! You are truly a man of great taste and varied interests.

Unfortunately, I don't know when you will receive this letter; snail mail is so unreliable these days … I also heard some very sad news about you and I hope it's not true but if it is then it may take an even longer time for you to get this … or, maybe you already know what I'm going to say since you've always been so perceptive. At any rate, I'll proceed.

I remember how I first heard about you. Our mutual friend and colleague, Salman Akhtar, came back from a meeting in the mid-1990s and excitedly told me he had just met this very interesting analyst from Toronto who he thought was the only Palestinian psychoanalyst who was a member of the International Psychoanalytical Association. In addition, he said you were a very talented clinician as well as an extremely thoughtful and wonderful human being. He was so impressed with you and his praise was so unequivocal that when he exclaimed, “Ira, you must meet him!” I knew it would be very important for me to do so. Knowing my background and interests, Akhtar anticipated that we would have many areas of common interest, although some from different perspectives, and he introduced us. He was correct about everything he had said. Then sever