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•
y •
Reminiscences About Papa and Mama
By DAVID SCHWARTZ
(Copyright 1973, JTA, Inc.)
Papa and mama were just
plain old - fashioned Jews.
Papa came to America with
mama, two children and a
set of the Talmud--ten big
volumes of the Gemara,
which followed him like his
children wherever he went.
They came in one of the
earlier waves of Jewish im-
migration from Russia dur-
ing the first pogroms.
Papa and mama came dur-
ing the administration of
Grover Cleveland. Funny
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Friday, Nov. 23, 1973 - 33
thing! During those days, he would say it is written in would quote the rabbis.
there was a national political the Bible "And Abraham Mama was full of the prov-
scandal too.
journeyed to the negeb." erbs of the people. Der
Cleveland was the Demo- (Negeb in Hebrew is south). mensch tracht and Gott lacht,
cratic nominee for President Papa had a sense of humor she would say or Az zwei
and James G. Blaine, the and he might have been jok- sagen shikkur darf sik der
Republican nominee. The ing, but then again, a sen- legen schlaffen. I think if
Democrats unearthed in what tence in the Bible meant a papa had his way, he might
were called "the Mulligan great deal to him. He went have become a farmer. He
letters" a scandal involving from one Southern city to seemed to have an affinity
the Republican candidate another — Richmond, Balti- for nature. He liked growing
with some railroad deal. The more, Charleston, Bruns- things. They appealed to his
_Republicans retaliated by dis .- wick, Macon and Atlanta. art instinct. Besides, apple
closing an affair Cleveland Four more children were trees and peach trees kept
had with a woman which had born, all four in different the Shabbes. At least, they
left the mother with an ille- Southern towns.
seemed to. If they did any
gitimate child. The Republi-
Papa of course didn't know work on Saturday, it wasn't
cans even had a little song, any English. He was a reli- to be observed.
Last-minute changes in the agenda were being made at
which lampooned the affair, gious Jew. That meant he
The last thing papa did a steering committee meeting for the Jewish Welfare Fed-
telling of the little child ask- couldn't work on Saturday. was to plant an apple tree— eration women's division educational institute to be held
ing:
What could such a man do? and you know what, mama Nov. 27 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Jewish Center. Making
"Ma, Ma, where is Pa?"
alterations in view of the current situation in Israel are,
{Peddling seemed the only so- did the same,
from left, Mesdames Frederick Shevin, chairman; Henry
"Gone to the White House I lution. Like many other such
A. Krolik, co-chairman; Morris J. Brandwine, vision presi-
Ha Ha Ha."
I Jews, he had to "peddle his
dent; and Murray A. Shekter, coordinator. Abe Loskove,
Cleveland was elected, the own canoe." In Charleston,
community relations director of the Joint Distribution Com-
first Democrat after the Civil there was a temporary
mittee, and Dr. Irving Greenberg, chairman of the Jewish
War. I don't know whether change. He read in a Jewish
MAX SCHRUT that
Mr. and Mrs. Hyman Band studies department of the Coty College, City University of
had anything to do with newspaper that an upholster-
for quality photographs
papa going South. When we er had found $300 while re- of Southfield Rd., Southfield, New York, will be primary speakers. For reservations and
and fast service
asked him in later years why, pairing an old couch. Visions announce the engagement of information, call Federation, WO 5-3939. There is no charge
call me at
of fortune arose before papa's their daughter Beverly De- for the institute; lunch is optional.
eyes. He became an uphol- lores to Sheldon Michael
BLAIR-KEITH
sterer. Reports have it that Scharg, son of Mr. and Mrs. Parents, Teachers Plan Conferences
he was a good one. He had a Jack Scharg of Ashley Ct.,
STUDIO
Parents and teachers of pointment b a s i s. Confer-
vailable For All Occasions
knack for doing things with Southfield. Miss Band is a
20 years experience
Weddings, Bar Mitzvas
senior at Wayne State Uni- Beth Yehuda and Beth Jacob ences for parents who can-
his
hands.
But
he
didn't
find
We come to your home with samples
MAGICAL MEL
any hidden bags of money versity's college of phar- students will have an oppor- not attend during the day will
398 - 9111 or 895 - 8805
547.2464
and didn't get too many macy. Her fiance was grad- tunity to meet 8 p.m. Wed- be held at the Wednesday
couches to repair. He re- uated from Michigan State nesday at the Beth Yehuda evening session.
University. A March wedding building. The administration
turned to peddling.
will be available to discuss
Finally papa wound up is planned.
students' development. Re-
opening a little store. What
singles party&
I have three chairs in my freshments will be served.
kind of a store can a religious
dance
Alvaros
J4c2jA eas'
Teachers will meet with
Jew open? You keep the house; one for solitude, two
Dec. 2-8:30 p.m.
Sabbath, and the Sabbath for friendship, three for parents of students in the
Owner Lillian Kolp
rkess
keeps you from earning a liv- company. — Henry David Pre 1-A program throughout
''Thererrn---n
eric -rTaris."
the day Tuesday on an ap-
ing. But a second-hand store Thoreau.
t t=fcTr.r . natalCall E57.!42 4. 7 5
0727
is not expected to make
money, anyway.
Papa introduced a number
By Appt. Only. Tues.-Sat. 8-3
of innovations in the second-
13805 W. 9 Mile — Oak Park
hand store merchandising.
For instance, while the sec-
LI 2-0064
ond-hand store sold second.
hand clothes, it also sold new
shoes, but many of the cus-
tomers preferred broken-in
shoes. They didn't create so
many corns. So papa would
have some of the poor immi-
grant Jews, many of whom
would come around to talk
with papa. break in the shoes.
So
these poor Jews got the
The Modern Sound of Distinction
wear of the new shoes for
nothing and the customers
From Solo Piano to Large Orchestra
would have their broken-in
shoes.
MARTIN KOSINS
546-7558
Every customer who tried
on a coat or a pair of pants
in papa's store looked like
the Governor of Georgia.
When the customer put them
on, papa would say, "The
Governor has no better suit.
You look like the Governor."
Sometimes the customer
would look like the Mayor,
but usually the Governor.
One tune a trio of black
musicians passed the store
and papa hired them to give
a concert in the store to stim-
SANTA ARRIVES AT
ulate business. Later I read
3 DAYS ONLY
of concerts in Wanamaker's
NORTHLAND ON NOVEMBER 23rd
Sun. - Mon.- Tues.
store, but I think papa's was
the first.
AT 9:30 A.M. ( On The Terrace )
It wasn't an easy business.
Papa had to go around buy-
See... BOZO THE CLOWN...FREDDY
ing up the old clothes, then,
by himself, cleaning and re-
DAVE STROLLING MUSICIANS....
pairing them. But after all,
SOUTHFIELD
HIGH SCHOOL BAND
you could make a living, es-
• Pant Suits • Gowns • Dresses
pecially with mama's help.
AND CHOIR...PALOMINO HORSES
• Blouses • Sweaters • Jewelry
We had a cow that provided
• Handbags • Coats • Jackets
WITH WESTERN RIDERS...FREE
milk for the children and also
about a dollar a week income
CHRISTMAS BALLOONS & CANDY
from selling milk to neigh-
bors.
.... AND GOOD OLE ST. NICK!!
We weren't rich. I remem-
ber I said to mama that a
neighbor must be rich be-
cause they had sweet rolls
for breakfast. But we have
26371 W. 12 MILE 5102 ROCHESTER
Northwestern at Eight Mile & Greenfield
•
Southfield Michigan 48075'
Just W. of Northwestern
everything. Even oranges on
Just N. of Long Lake Rd.
Southfield, 354 - 3554 King's Row Center, 689 - 0200
Sukkot. They would hang on
Cenler Hours. 9:30 A.M. to 9:30 P.M. • Sundays: 11:00 lo 6,00
• For Infol motion Co,/1 356 3000
Mon. - Fri.
the Sukka wall and later
Mon.-Sat. 10-5:30
10-5:30
Thurs. & Fri. 10-8:30
could be eaten.
Sun. 11-4
Sun. 12-4
Mama was the realist. Papa
Institute Updated to Air Crisis
A 1
8ngag ement
MAGICIAN
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4
"—
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a
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OPEN SUNDAY 11-4
SEMI-ANNUAL
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All Merchandise
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