69 million page views

Surfing with Dr, Paskowitz

Reader comment on item: Surfboards to Reduce Arab-Israeli Tensions?

Submitted by Michael Bernet (United States), Dec 31, 2007 at 12:38

That's Doctor Dorian Paskowitz, a genuine licensed physician who originally came to Hawaii as a US medical officer for the Army or the Navy. I think his job had to do with venereal diseases or prostiution. He told me a well-known musical of the early 1950s was based on him.

Dorian and I shared a home in the remains of a wooden barge on the beach of Eilat in the spring/summer of 1957, right after the end of the Sinai War, a few steps from the mud-brick structure that had once been the British police post, Um Rashrash. Dorian was a delightful companion and great storyteller. He caught the fish for our meals; I provided transportation into town on my motor scooter and paid for the frying oil for the fish. After surfing, fishing and wenching, Dorian's great delight was to set his farts on fire.

I had come to Eilat to escape an intolerable marriage, then found my employment as engineering assistant for the Solel Boneh construction complex (I helped, inter alia, with the construction of the new oil port and terminal) even more intolerable, and had just been hired as a stringer by the Jerusalem Post. Thanks to Dorian's skills, I was never starved for food or female companionship.

Dorian's greatest failure was his inability to understand the rules that the rest of the world thought important. The Israel government was seeking a doctor for Eilat to staff the 3-room hospital it was putting together. Dorian applied for the job and added: "I don't need to get paid for my work. I want to show my gratitude for all the wonderful Israeli girls I've ...." He was genuinely surprised that he wasn't even invited for an interview.

Incidentally, he has 8 or 9 sons, all working with him at his surfing school on the California beach. You can google for him there.

Dorian's gesture in Gaza was totally in character. Crazy guy but lovable for his childlike ability to see goodness and tolerance where it doesn't exist.

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

Submit a comment on this item

<< Previous Comment      Next Comment >>

Reader comments (23) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
3Stop dreaming and wake up [156 words]DaveJan 22, 2022 16:37278450
2What to do about Islam's dominate-and-kill-thy-infidel-neighbor mentality. [323 words]PrashantJan 23, 2022 21:46278450
This is pretty funny [83 words]stanley bApr 24, 2012 17:16195250
Re Surfboards to Reduce Arab-Israeli Tensions? [63 words]KathaApr 9, 2009 01:13153624
Special Topic on Daniel Barenboim Saga. [407 words]SvetApr 4, 2009 01:54153283
Mr. Pipes, You are so funny in your writings.... [104 words]SvetApr 3, 2009 14:09153266
More Info on Paskowitz [227 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
AlexApr 3, 2009 13:27153263
I Stand Corrected [55 words]AlexApr 4, 2009 12:40153263
Oh, Please !!!!!! [352 words]SvetApr 3, 2009 11:33153259
Ajax [120 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Douglas DurkinJun 13, 2008 21:09132048
Surfboards to Reduce Arab-Israeli Tensions [293 words]Jonathan PaskowitzFeb 16, 2008 09:34120337
beach boy dreams [133 words]Rebecca MouldsDec 31, 2007 15:51117236
dream on Dr Paskowitz [140 words]surjsJan 14, 2008 14:12117236
Yes Rebecca, You are right about Daniel Baremboim. [64 words]SvetApr 4, 2009 01:09117236
Surfing with Dr, Paskowitz [339 words]Michael BernetDec 31, 2007 12:38117223
hi Michael [24 words]Jonathan PaskowitzFeb 22, 2008 16:46117223
Doc interviewed on Podcast [13 words]Simon JenningsApr 14, 2009 01:15117223
Love the Doc. [54 words]Harry VineMay 12, 2009 17:47117223
congratulation dr paskowitz [35 words]palacios jorgeNov 15, 2009 18:55117223
Charlie don't surf [93 words]Luta BelcherDec 31, 2007 07:50117209
Wow!!! [25 words]RubiconDec 30, 2007 19:40117161
Leopard's don't change their spots either [62 words]David W. LincolnDec 30, 2007 17:21117148
question: what do the Arabs think about frizbees and surf boards for peace and what our their peace overtures [40 words]alanApr 3, 2009 14:34117148

Follow Daniel Pipes

Facebook   Twitter   RSS   Join Mailing List

All materials by Daniel Pipes on this site: © 1968-2024 Daniel Pipes. daniel.pipes@gmail.com and @DanielPipes

Support Daniel Pipes' work with a tax-deductible donation to the Middle East Forum.Daniel J. Pipes

(The MEF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Tax-ID 23-774-9796, approved Apr. 27, 1998.

For more information, view our IRS letter of determination.)