It was the summer of 1966. I was 21 years old. Having spent almost a year in Europe mainly in Paris and London writing poetry, it had been my plan to emigrate to Israel and live on a kibbutz. I had gotten as far as Athens when for reasons I still do not understand, I … Continue reading
Category Archives: Avram’s Past
Geoffrey Wells (June 9,1945-July 26, 2024)
The friends that I made when I was young are slowly dying. We are no longer at the stage where people will say, “he died so young.” Even though I understand that death is what follows life, it remains a bit uncomprehensible It was 1966 when Geoff and I first met. He was a bit … Continue reading
Eighty Pages for eighty years
On January 27, 2025, I turn eighty years old. Frankly, this is hard for me to comprehend. I remember when my father turned eighty, and I thought he was so old. Now, all the talk about how Trump and Biden are too old has had some effect on me, even though I am for sure … Continue reading
Living my life in reverse
My professional journey is unfolding in a way that might seem like living life in reverse. I started in medical science and weaved through technology before circling back to healthcare, moving from the USA to the Netherlands, then Israel, back to the USA, then Israel, and now the Netherlands. I went from English to Dutch … Continue reading
my photo album is a graveyard
my photo album is a graveyard full of memories of the dead there, they still smile and laugh and are loved and love cherishing their photos, wishing for more parents and their parents smiling the weddings of my ancestors pictures of their graves with sweet words my mother would take me to the cemetery where … Continue reading
My secret power was thinking I had a secret power
Laying on my bed, staring at the ceiling in my bedroom at the Stanford Convalesce Home (now the Ronald McDonald House, across from the Stanford Mall in Palo Alto), a seven-year-old boy suffering from acute asthma. Struggling to breathe, I wondered if I would make it. My body was weak, but my mind was strong. … Continue reading
My first two digit birthday
I remember that day. I had just turned ten and was walking down the street close to my home when I realized that my age would be two digits from now on. The result of that insight was asking myself, would it ever be three digits? Thinking about that then made me think about death. … Continue reading
For Strategic Investors, You Are a Tactic
As a founder and one of the leaders of Intel Capital, one of the world’s most successful corporate venture groups, I am frequently approached by entrepreneurs seeking advice on securing investments from strategic investors. Strategic investors primarily invest to bolster their strategic objectives. For example, during my tenure as Corporate Vice President of Business Development … Continue reading
Speaker’s Corner
In 1964, just as I turned 21, I moved to London. Looking for a place to live, I remember seeing the ads saying, “No Jews.” I rented a bed sitter, one room with a bed, a table, and a few chairs. It was close to Paddington Station. My days were taken up with writing poetry … Continue reading
Goodbye Tony Bennett
It was close to midnight. I went to an after-hours club on Bush Street (San Francisco) run by a Chinese woman. I was with my Japanese girlfriend, who and her twin sister were singers at a Japanese Club not that far away in Japan Town. Like her, I was 18 years old. It was 1963. … Continue reading
Two Thirds Done 