Additional Tributes to Marty Jezer
Terry Zacuto
Added July 9, 2006
I was really saddend and quite shocked to learn that Marty has passed away!I( a year ago!) I met Marty so long ago, and of course lost touch totally.I stayed with him only a few summer months or less on the Total Loss/commune/farm. In fact when I left, I had baked bread for an infamous pig roast, my future husband Phil Zacuto went to this roast but I did not "attend" the pig roast, I knew Phil met Marty then, and in NYC. Small small world. I met Marty in NYC thru a mutual freind.We listened to a recording of Dylan Thomas (for me truly the beginning of writing poetry)..and he wore a HUGE slightly weathered red parka.He had very long hair (very cool for then) and Lennon specs..and yikes! No skivvies under his torn dungarees. He loved and knew the woods, trees and animals of Vermont, so well..He was savy, politically very progressive, sexy, outgoing, enigmatic and literate. He was really Mr Natural to me. I was a very young 19 and he was a slightly impatient, cynical funny 30...He awed and inspired me... Be in peace Marty...Hamba gashle..... you will not be forgotten...
A remembrance by Richard Harkness
Posted June 14, 2005 to Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
My first memory of Marty in person was at the registration desk at the NSA convention in San Diego, the first of four I would attend. He was the first convention regular to come up and greet me and chat. That helped put me at ease right out of the gate and spurred me to mingle and meet other regulars, including Russ Hicks, Vicki Shutter (not Shutter at that time??), and Bill Parry, among many others, who also were active on the Listservs. Remember when Marty's book on stuttering was nearing publication and he asked Listserv members to send in their title suggestions? Whatever title I proposed paled in comparison to the one he chose--"Stuttering: A Life Bound up in Words." That title always reminds me of the great English writer Somerset Maugham's classic novel "Of Human Bondage"--Maugham, a stutterer himself, gave his protagonist Philip a club foot as proxy for a stutter because he thought it too difficult to "show" stuttering on the printed page. I cherish my inscribed copy of Marty's book and admire Marty the person more than he ever knew. I wish I had known him better. His family can be rightfully proud of this man of modest stature and towering accomplishments who swam against the tide in more ways than one. May we all find strength in what Marty leaves behind.
Why I Have to Go to Brattlesboro by Vicki Schutter
Posted June 17, 2005 to Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
Tomorrow morning I leave Houston to fly up to Hartford, Connecticut, for 2 days to attend Marty's memorial service in Brattlesboro. I feel kind of embarrassed telling someone (someone who didn't know him, I mean) that I am doing that. It seems kind of extreme.
When I try to explain it to people, I tell them about knowing Marty from the NSA conventions and the stuttering listservs, about how I would jokingly call him "Obi-Marty" because he was wise and eloquent, about how he is a personal hero and role model for me.
But I think the main reason has to do with his book. After it was published, I heard about it and how good it was, but then one day I received a copy in the mail. He had sent me a free copy. I thought, "That's very nice of him, but why did he send one to me?" I was concerned about his profits if he was sending one to everyone he knew. I started looking through the book, and to my utter amazement, I was in it! In a chapter he called "Self-Help Heroes," he called me a personal hero of his, describing me as a "sassy Texan," saying, "Because she has so much to say and at times such difficulty in saying it, she reminds me of myself." Wow! I was floored. *I* was a hero to HIM??? That must be a misprint - it must have been printed backward. Having Marty Jezer say that about me is undoubtedly one of the greatest honors of my life.
So that's why I have to go honor him.
Marty Jezer by Michael Hurwitz
Posted June 19, 2005 to Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
I knew Marty through the Connecticut River Valley chapter of the NSA (Greenfield, MA) to which we both belonged. I also knew him briefly as a member of my Toastmasters club.
My recollections of Marty are of a gentle person who listened to others and of a funny guy.
I particularly recall a speech Marty gave at the Greenfield Toastmasters club, Poet's Seat Speakers. He was competing against a professional speaker in a humorous speech contest and he won! In his speech, Marty told about how he had lost the notes to his speech somewhere in his cluttered house and therefore could not rehearse the speech he had planned to give. Thus it was necessary for him to wing it for the contest. At the end of the meeting, I and a couple of others told Marty that we thought that he had given a great impromptu talk and we were sorry we didn't get to hear his original speech.
As was his wont, Marty smiled and explained that he HAD given his original speech! There never were any lost notes.
Marty by Richard Schweid
Posted June 23, 2005 to Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
I met Marty in 1969 when I lived at the farm in Guilford. Later that year I moved to New York, and he would sometimes come to visit when he was in the city. One morning he came to get me in the West 11th St. apartment where I was crashing. He liked to visit, we always had some attractive women hanging around, maybe folks playing music or at least some good sounds on.This day, though, he was not in the mood to tarry and took me to the War Resister's League offices so I could meet and chat with A.J. Muste, a moment for which I was always grateful.
As someone has written, for a guy who could have a hard time getting his words out, Marty had a spectacular sense of humor. We travelled our share of miles together, and he was always a rock, a solid big brother to whom one could turn when things got rough and know that if he couldn't solve your problem, he would certainly understand it.
I will miss his columns, but more I'll miss knowing he's in the world.
The "Introduction Workshop" by Bernie Weiner
Posted June 24, 2005 to Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
Having attended the last 10 NSA conventions, my only regret is that I did not get to sit down with Marty over a "cold one" and just talk about stuff. Marty always would stop me in one of the hotel corridors just to say hello and to ask how my wife, Harriet, was doing and if she was with me.
My fondest memory of Marty is having the good fortune to attend one of his workshops at the convention that dealt with introducing ourselves. That is so hard for people who stutter to do this, but Marty made sort of a "role playing" thing out of it. He made it easy, with his usual grace and humor. One of the exercises was to walk down a "reception line" and introduce ourselves. As I got to Marty, we shook hands, and all I could notice was that huge smile of his. I really felt that Marty truly cared that everybody was comfortable introducing themselves to him. How could you not be?
I know that Marty's partner, Arlene, attended a couple of the workshops that my wife gave for spouses and friends of people who stutter. Hopefully, she will continue to attend the NSA conventions and these types of workshops and tell people what it was like to be with Marty, and how he coped so gracefully with his stuttering.
I will shed some tears, but I will also remember the humor and laughter of Marty Jezer. The world is a slightly lesser place already without him.
A FUN TIME by Judith Eckhardt
Posted June 26, 2005 to Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
Marty and I are the same age. In 1968 Marty was involved in the demonstrations in Chicago that caught national attention by the news media. At that time, I was only watching this event on Chicago TV in the Chicago metro area. Approximately 25-30 years later, Marty was in Chicago again but this time he was a speaker at the National Council of Stuttering in the downtown area around the University of Illinois. We was walking down the street when this man bolted from the other side of the street. He was a demonstrator from 1968 and had not seen Marty since that time. These two men with grey hair were extremely happy to see each other and it was a very joyous reunion after a long period of time. When Marty talked about these demonstrations, he would say that he had NO FEAR of the Chicago Police but had much FEAR of saying his name when he was arrested. Of course, he always had a smile when telling this story.
Marty will be missed.
One Writer to Another by Ira Zimmerman
Posted June 26, 2005 to Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
I can't remember only one memorable moment with Marty. Marty and I were both born in 1940 of Jewish parents. He lived a life as a social justice advocate and he looked the part. Sometimes he made me mad but at no time did I lose respect for him and for the causes that he believed in.
As a fellow published writer, I always admired Marty for mastering both the long(books) and short(newspaper and magazine articles) forms of writing. As far as facing the challenge of his stuttering, Marty was a fighter always exploring ways to minimize his stuttering. He was not ashamed to try various fluency enhancing electronic devices. I was honored when he invited me to join a panel of fellow writers who happen to stutter to read some of their works at a NSA Convention. Marty was wearing one of these fluency devices during his reading and it seemed to help.
When his book on stuttering came out, we exchanged emails about doing radio interviews to promote the book. Marty shied away from doing radio interviews for his other books. I told Marty that the radio or tv interviewer expected me to stutter as a representative of the National Stuttering Project. And certainly the author of a book on his experiences as a stutterer was expected to stutter. Otherwise he would lose his credibility. This seemed to help and he started to do radio interviews.
Finally I was thrilled for Marty when he got some of the Hollywood treatment when he went to the movie premiere of the Abbie Hoffman movie "Steal the Movie" which was partially based on his book on Hoffman.
It is hard to imagine going to an NSA Convention and not seeing Marty there. Although I'm sure this year's NSA Convention will remember and honor him.
Lieven
Taken from Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
Dear friends of Marty,
With real sadness in my heart I wanted to present to all of you my sincere condolences. Marty was really a great and unforgettable light. He was also the first person from this list I personally met in Anaheim. I will never forget his bright smile. Immediately I felt at home. He send me his book, because I could not find in Europe. I sent him some bancnotes, and it was our intention to go to drink something together at our next meeting with the change. This will be in the hereafter...
Today the book is on my shelf in my office. Everybody can find it between scientific an medical works. It is clearly visible. Smetimes I see people looking at it. Somebody asked about it: this is from one of the most courageous people I have ever met, I answered. He became my role model of acceptance and challenge.
May he still inspire lots of young PWS. Marty, you are alive in each of us. Thanks.
Lee Caggiano
Taken from Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
Since hearing of Marty's death I have wanted to somehow acknowledge his enormous support of the stuttering community, and specifically for his support of Friends. I know how very important Marty felt providing support for young people who stutter was. I was proud to ask Marty to be the Key Note speaker at one of our first conventions. He inspired us all....all ages. So, I am proud to announce the Marty Jezer Scholarship Fund to honor the spirit Marty shared with all of us. Funds will be used to provide scholarships to the national convention for those young people who otherwise would be without support.
Anita
Taken from Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
I'm so happy I got to tell him myself in Anaheim how much he helped me win my battle towards acceptance and self esteem. He was and always will be, my role model. He didn't let anyone tell him what to do, a today's hippy and a stutterer who didn't give a sh** with a neverfading grin. His book is on my shelf, a pictures with the both of us beside it and his memory alive. I'll miss him...
Elayne
Taken from Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
Cynthia: Thanks sooo much for sharing Marty Jezer's words of wisdom from your visit with him.
"I spend much of my life being afraid to talk. Groups like NSA and Speakeasy helped me find my voice. Now as I face the end of my life I realize the only thing that should keep us silent is death."
I never met Marty but his words are posted on my bulletin board--I will refer to them often.
Bonnie Weiss
Taken from Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
Marty Jezer was quite a man. I think we started e-mailing one another in 1995, and he always had words of wisdom for me regarding my feelings about my stuttering. His first convention was in 1997 here in Buffalo. It was so good to meet him in person, and to help him "sell" his Stuttering: A Life Bound Up in Words.
I've been thinking today of all the ways he helped me, and many others, to accept our stuttering and move on! He was a great friend of of ours, wasn't he?
The poem below says it all.
SOME PEOPLE
Some people come into our lives
and quickly go...Some stay for awhile
and embrace our silent dreams.
They help us become aware
of the delicate winds of hope...
and we discover within every human spirit
there are wings yearning to fly.
They help our hearts to see that
the only stairway to the stars
is woven with dreams...
and we find ourselves
unafraid to reach high.
They celebrate the true essence
of who we are...
and have faith in all
that we may become.
Some people awaken us
to new and deeper realizations...
for we gain insight
from the passing whisper of their wisdom
Throughout our lives we are sent
precious souls...
meant to share our journey
however brief or lasting their stay
they remind us why we are here.
To learn... to teach... to nurture... to love
Some people come into our lives
to cast a steady light
upon our path and guide our every step
their shining belief in us
helps us to believe in ourselves.
Some people come into our
lives to teach us about love...
The love that rests within ourselves.
Let us reach out to others
and feel the bliss of giving
for love is far richer in action
that it ever is in words.
Some people come into our lives
and they move our souls to sing
and make our spirits dance.
They help us to see that everything on earth
is part of the incredibility of life...
and that it is always there
for us to take of its joy.
Some people come into our lives
and leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never ever the same.
by Flavia Weedn
Marty Jezer by Anonymous
Posted August 7, 2005 to Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
It was in the year 1967 that I first met Marty Jezer. I married his first cousin Paul Jeser. Paul had spoken alot about Marty, his parents, Blanche and Myer, and his sister Ruth.
At first I found it difficult communicating with Marty because of his stuttering, but after awhile it became easier. He always put me at ease so that I would not be uncomfortable with his stuttering.
Marty was a wonderfully bright and unique individual. I feel badly that we did not get to see each other more often. It was always special when Marty would come to family "simchas"and he did come to many of them.
Even up to the end Paul and Marty communicated via e-amil. They debated, had heated discussions and argued about many topics and issues pertaining to Marty's Brattleboro columns. However, all of this was always done through mutual love and respect.
Marty was a mensch!! He played a very big part in our lives and we will miss him a great deal. We love you Marty.........
Thankful for Marty's Example by C. Kelly Robinson
Posted October 22, 2005 to Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
I just received an issue of the National Stuttering Associations's newsletter and was dismayed to read of Marty's passing. I came across this group while reading from the many obituaries and acknowledgements of his wonderful and inspiring life.
I am just using this post to honor Marty's memory and the influence he had on me in the late Nineties, as I wrestled with writing and self-publishing my first novel despite continuing fears about my stuttering. Marty and I first corresponded over the Stutt-L listserve in 1996, and in 1999 I had the pleasure to meet him in person at the NSA's annual conference in Seattle. His personal emails to me as well as his life experiences shared in his "Stuttering" memoir increased my determination that I could follow my dreams of being a writer. As a novelist who now has 5 books in print with major publishers, and one who has spoken in front of many large audiences while both advertising and controlling my stutter, I recognize Marty as one of the many leaders on whose shoulders I stand. If he touched my life in just a few emails and personal conversations, I can only imagine what he meant to close family and friends.
Sincerely & may God bless,
C. Kelly Robinson
Author, Between Brothers, No More Mr. Nice Guy, and the The Strong, Silent Type
Mourning in Yorkshire by Aidan in Yorkshire, England
Posted November 21, 2005 to Remembering-Marty-Jezer, a Yahoo group which was closed in 2007
Dear friends of Marty,
I'd like to add my very belated tears to the torrent.
As too often happens, it took a few months before I realized I was missing something in my email inbox.
Where were those fine, clear, thoughtful, articles? Answer: no more, of course. How stupid and selfish of me not to have paid closer attention. After all, I knew he was ill.
I came late to Marty, only about 18 months ago when a friend in DC sent me one of his colums. I subscribed at once, and really appreciated his take on events.
The great thing was, he thought for himself. No off-the-peg soundbites or hand-me-down ideologies. I admired that, and it's what the world needs. He is much missed.
I just wondered: Are his past columns archived anywhere? The old website www.sover.net/~mjez seems no longer to work.
Words at least are immortal. Marty's are too good to lose. I hope someone might arrange this.
I was much moved by the memorials by Joyce Marcel and Randy Holhut. No doubt there are many more.
In sadness, and struggle for a better world, a luta continua!
Aidan in Yorkshire, England
