Jomtien Beach

Thailand

Wednesday

February 4, 2026

 

Dear Adam,

 

I first met Mr. Pockriss sixty years ago when I was a student-teacher at Haaren High School in Manhattan.  Mr. Pockriss was my mentor.  Soon thereafter I was appointed as an English Teacher there, so Mr. Pockriss and I were now colleagues.

 

Those were the days before computers and mobile phones and even Xerox machines.  Consequently there always a flurry of paper announcements and requests and instructions to the staff.  I learned something from Mr. Pockriss that I use to this very day.  He said,  "I handle the paper immediately.  Otherwise I'll loose it."

 

Sometimes we would walk together in the busy hallways of the all-boys high school.  Hal would point to one of the kids and say, "You see that boy?  I taught him everything he doesn't know."

 

One day he brought photos of an infant boy, your older brother.  Hal announced with both pride and assurance, "You are looking at the first Jewish President of the United States!"

 

I often met your father on the street in the morning as we hastened to work.  He always had a book in his hand!

 

There were days when there were no students in school so Mr. Pockriss showed up with a short sleeve short and no necktie.  (In those days, shirts and ties were required attire for male teachers.)  Hal had his own ideas.

 

One day our colleague Mr. Schwartz showed up in shorts!!  Hal dubbed him "Bermuda Schwartz."

 

After three years at Haaren High (1965-1968) I landed a fulltime job as the Training Director at The Plaza Hotel.  So my career path traveled from from Hell's Kitchen at West 57th & Tenth to Central Park and 59th & Fifth!   Hal and Judy and I lost touch for many years until I saw your name or was it your brother's name on the Internet.  Your father and I have been corresponding and conversing ever since.

 

Hal would encourage my travel writing on my website.  He shared his articles from Newsday.  We exchanged recommendations of books we were reading. We held lengthy discussions on current events, especially issues concerning New York.

 

If our conversation turned to Jewish themes, Hal would quip, "I'm such a goy!"  And yet as your family grew, your Holiday celebrations touched his Jewish soul. 

 

Hal's most recent correspondence joyfully announced the athletic achievements of his grandchildren.

 

Twenty years ago I moved to Thailand.  But on one of my visits to New York, your father insisted on taking the train into the City.  I met him (book in his hand) in Midtown.  We enjoyed an enthusiastic lunch on Broadway.  I am confident that on his walk back to Penn Station my dear colleague made a stop at Barnes & Noble. 

 

My condolences to you and your brother and your mother.  I shall miss my lovely friend.  May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

 

I am so sad.  Yet delighted with my memories.

 

Jan Polatschek

 

PS.  After twenty years in Thailand I have embraced the spicy Thai cuisine.  Except for an occasional foray to the "Middle East" or "South Asia," it's Thai food for me every day.

 

However! Yesterday, in honor of my New York friend Harold Pockriss and "apropos" of his passing, I ordered a Pastrami on Rye with Cheese and Sauerkraut and Mustard.  It was delicious!

 

PPS As you and your family consider an epigram for Hal's gravestone, may I recommend, "He Always Had a Book in His Hand."