My parents explained to me a long time ago that they named my baby brother Ernest because he was born in earnest times. He is nine years younger than I and experienced Kristallnacht, the “Night of Broken Glass,” in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, when he was just a baby. That night, when the rocks were being thrown by our neighbors through our apartment windows, his bassinet was just below our parents’ bedroom window. Luckily, the rock that landed in his bassinet dropped only on his hand and he was not seriously hurt. I was so happy that he was safe.
When my parents sent my brother, Joe, and me to France so we would be safe from the Nazi atrocities, I was distressed to leave our Bubi behind and thought of him often and wondered whether he had started to sit up, walk, and play. Bubi is what we called Ernest. It was a name of endearment that was used often for German baby boys. When Joe and I wrote letters to our parents, we always included love and kisses to our Bubi.
Joe and I were reunited with Bubi and our parents in 1941. My father received affidavits and was able to immigrate to the United States and soon after, my mother and Bubi were able to follow. Ernest wonders now how my mother coped in Germany, all alone with a baby and then was able to make her way to join my father here in America. We do not know all the details of that journey and wished we had asked our parents more questions about their voyages here. When I first saw Bubi again, he was three years old with beautiful blond curls, blue eyes, and a very light complexion. I adored him. My mother allowed me to help take care of him, and I gave him his daily bath.
This baby brother is now 87 years old. He has had a very successful career as a physicist with NASA. His work dealt mainly with the earth’s atmosphere. He has met with physicists all over the world to take care of our planet. During my teaching career, I invited him to speak to the students of our school. He was kind enough to be our guest speaker. He brought along many technical slides so the students would have a deep understanding of climate change. Some time ago he designed an exhibit at the Smithsonian located in Washington, DC. His presentation was in conjunction with NASA and dealt with air climate and the ozone, see photo below. I saw this exhibit two times and appreciated the many people who visited it. I was very proud of my brother and all that he accomplished as a scientist.
Ernest Hilsenrath of NASA Headquarters is shown here discussing exhibition materials at the Smithsonian’s Atmosphere: Change Is in the Air exhibit with a National Public Radio reporter. Hilsenrath explained that there is “good ozone” in the upper atmosphere, which blocks harmful radiation from the Sun before it reaches the ground, and “bad ozone,” a pollutant that is harmful to all living things near the surface. (Photo credit: NASA)
Ernest is the father of three talented children and four grandchildren. I love being invited to the many festive occasions at his home. I especially like the Chanukah celebrations, where after the lighting of the candles and eating latkes that Ernest has carefully fried with sweet potatoes, we also eat the many delicacies that he and his wife, Mina, have prepared for the entire family. There is always much commotion after the feast when the children tear open the wrappings of their many gifts and the adults exchange an elegant present with one another. I love receiving a gift from Ernest because he knows how much I like to drink a fine cabernet sauvignon. He is such a connoisseur of superb wines. I am impressed with his knowledge of both red and white wines.
My brother and his family also attend many of my celebrations. Except for last year, because of the coronavirus, we have celebrated many Thanksgivings and Passovers together at my daughters’ houses. It was always such a joy to see the dining tables stretched to their limits with everybody there together. Ernest has also attended three of my grandchildren’s weddings. I love it when he asks me to dance with him.
Ernest has been practicing tai chi with a teacher for many years. I know he is skilled, because when I attended a performance by his class, I was very impressed with his movements. This exercise is important to him because it keeps his body limber and active. Over the years, he has had problems with his heart and back. Tai chi gives him mobility, stability, and balance. I was distraught when he informed me recently that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I want to be here for him and do what I can to help him feel better.
We keep in touch with each other more now that we are retired than when we were younger and busy with our jobs and raising our families. Our relationship has changed over the years. I think that we have become closer and understand each other better. When we were younger, the nine years between us seemed to matter. I remember well the time he purchased a motorcycle. He must have been about 20 years old when he telephoned me and asked if I wanted to go for a ride with him on his new mode of transportation. I was in the middle of preparing dinner for my husband and three young daughters. When I heard the motorcycle outside, I abandoned my family, ran outside and, with great trepidation, mounted the bike behind my baby brother. He was tall and slim, and I held onto him tightly, with my arms around his waist, while we traveled around our neighborhood. I was elated when we returned safely back home and was confident that he would be a judicious biker.
Even though we lived apart after I was married, we both acquired a considerable appreciation for classical music. We found time in our busy lives to attend the concert series at Constitution Hall. I enjoyed this private time with him. He, Mina, and I still enjoy going to chamber music concerts together.
My brother is a kind person and touches the lives of many people, and I am proud of all that he has accomplished. I feel we have a close brother and sister relationship, which bloomed even more profusely later in our lives. There is something great about being our age. I am so lucky to have him in my life.
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