Andy Abramowitz
Andy Abramowitz - By Michael Babitch
You must listen carefully to hear Andy coming. His continuous, under-his-breath conversation with himself is a trademark. This conversation is a companion to his going quietly about his business, whether in the garden, where he has been a stalwart and faithful worker for over four decades, or in the fiber arts studio where he has become an excellent knitter!
At other times, you can find him in the kitchen, preparing his beloved Raisin Bran, in the living room, putting finishing touches on his knitting, or in the bakery annex, listening to his favorite music. His comments indicate he knows just what is going on around him, and he doesn’t hover if there is kerfuffle, but just removes himself to a quieter place. He enjoys calls with his mother each Friday afternoon, but his own responses to her are very brief—he is happy to have someone else carry the conversation.
Andy is a true Camphiller, attending all events in Rose Hall, being resent for every potluck and party (how does he always quietly get to the front of the line?), truly at home in Camphill Village Kimberton Hills.
Gloria Abramowitz, Andrew's mother, shared this lovely piece of their story with us in 2022.
“Andrew, my son, my husband Herbert, and I, his mom, Gloria, visited Camphill Kimberton in the year 1976. I learned about Kimberton through the organization ANIBIC established by parents in Queens, New York. I helped to manage the young adult group.
Groups were formed to supplement the normal activities unavailable to this impaired group of children, with professional educators in charge and parents overseeing these groups. We provided dances, teen groups, tutoring and social weekends away much as their siblings were experiencing. As Andrew matured into adulthood, we realized that Andrew needed a path to his future. Several attempts to find a meaningful work/study environment did not completely work but the experience of living away was part of our purpose. Working at ANIBIC, I learned of the Camphill group and went to visit; first Copake in New York, which was not available, then we were referred to Kimberton in Pennsylvania which I had been acquainted with first at the ANIBIC organization.
Andrew was 18 years old and Kimberton was the perfect realization of our vision for Andrew’s future: A work/living situation that was safe, had dignity, companionship, and purpose in life. Kimberton has never wavered from these basic principles. Andrew has and is living with purpose, dignity and respectful admiration. What can be better satisfaction than dining on the food you have grown from seedling to the dinner table? The villagers and coworkers set an example of how the power of community can teach all of us.
Andrew is now 64 years old and living a respectfully enriched life filled with the music he loves and friends he has made. He looks forward to soon becoming a great uncle when his niece delivers her baby!”