DAVID MAKOFSKY

1938 - 2022

MAKOFSKY--Dr. David. Dr. David Makofsky, born May 15, 1938 in New York City, died July 7, 2022. A month after his death, his new book arrived: "Religious Fundamentalism in an Age of Conflict." A masterpiece of cultural Marxism, it represents his work with oppressed people in occupied states. David spent a year on the left-wing Mapam kibbutz and studied a summer at the Sorbonne. The Palestinian movement was his focus; atrocities Israel committed would not be done in his name. He entered UC Berkeley's PhD program in the 1960s. Soon, he was protesting the war and sitting in vigils for the Free Speech Movement. He did research for the Civil Rights movement and played protest songs on guitar while friends sang along. One day, his friend Art called. "Dave made the cover of the New York Times Sunday magazine." There in color was David carrying his sign at an anti-war march while talking animatedly to his friend. In 2007, David taught in Beijing. Uyghur students shared their plight of the government trying to erase their identity. He interviewed them and others in Kashgar, but left when state surveillance made it dangerous. The interviews and his book chronicle struggles amid occupation. David was preceded in death by his parents, Abe and Rose Makofsky, his beloved daughter, Jenny Makofsky, and his brother-in-law Michael Tanzer. He is survived by his daughter, Serena Makofsky, her husband, Steve Lafler, his adored grandchildren, Addam and Max Lafler, and his first wife Betty Makofsky. He is survived by his sister, Judy Tanzer, her family, and his companion, Elizabeth Ooms. Here's to living brightly and courageously. May David's visionary work live on.