THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

12 Friday, December 12, 1980

Journal Reveals Seniors' Creative Writing Talents

The Senior Adult Di-
vision of the Jewish Com-
munity Center, whose
headquarters are located in
the Morris Branch of the
Center, has made available
its annual 'creative writing
effort, "Writers' Journal."
The 1980 edition, a
paperbacked, spiral bound
book, features pieces in the
forms of news stories. book
reviews, poems, essays, re-
miniscences and personal
reflections. There also is a
Yiddish poem accompanied
by its English translation.
Prof. Norma Goldman of
Wayne State University's
department of Greek and
Latin Languages and Liter-
atures, directs the project.
She also is on its editorial
board.
Mrs.
Assisting
Goldman are Mina Stone,
secretary, and Bernice
Konikow, typist, both of
whom are contributors to
the journal.
Other members of the
editorial board are Eve Dis-
hell, Ms. Konikow, Sara
Littman and Ethel Silber.
Contributing to the pub-
lication are:

Jean Brooks, Emma Cass,
David Chait, Ms. Dishell,
Frances Driker, Esther Frances
Friedman, Rose Goldsmith, Ger-
trude Gray, Stella Himmelstein,
Rose Jaffe, Rae Kendler, Ms.
Konikow, Mrs. Littman, Bessie
Lopatin, Regina Mantel, Pearl
Miller, Bertha Mishcovsky, Olga
Mogel, Mollie Portner Pitzak,
Hilda Reed, Jean Rubach,
Joseph Shapiro, Ms. Silber,
Helen Singer, Sarah Slavin,
Mina Stone, Fay Weiss and Lil-
lian Zellman.

Guest contributor is- ad-
vertising executive Leonard
Simons.
In a prelude to good
things to come, Prof.
Goldman offers a tribute to
the contributors.
Humor is a major compo-
nent of the -literary tradi-
tion maintained by the

PROF. NORMA GOLDMAN

community's seniors. An
example can be seen in this
piece by Emma Cass
entitled, "A New Dis-
covery."
"Shhh — I heard that the
birth to a
scientists
chicken w
without
ithout feathers.
What possible gain to hu-
manity will it be, by having
a chicken naked. I would
feel embarrassed just look-
ing at it. I wonder how the
chicken feels about it. Well,
maybe it would not make
any difference; after all, it
will only land in a pot any-
way.
"To think about it — it
could only be raised in a
warm climate; otherwise,
when it gets cold, it would
catch pneumonia. We would
have to send it to Florida;
people down there do not
wear many clothes, so the
chicken would feel more at
home. But then again, it
might get sunburned and
then what?
"At any rate, I don't
think it is a good idea, be-
cause anybody can tell at
a glance whether the
chicken is too fat or too
skinny and being naked,
if anybody is looking, it
might blush. In a way the
human chickens forget
how to blush, so how can

.

* * *

A Message From Norma

By NORMA GOLDMAN

Creative writing is never easy.
Every author will tell you
of his love affair with the pen or the typewriter,
a love affair which includes
inspiration and anguish, despair and exultation.
The blank paper with a pen,
the white sheet in the typewriter
becomes first a formidable enemy,
then a friend, and finally a love.

Our writers as usual have produced
an exciting new journal
with articles on and from every aspect of living—
from the great panorama
of the world of politics and social issues
to the tiny private world
of a treasured memory
of a leaf-strewn gold-washed floor
and a drop of rain.
Each article, each poem
represents a love affair with an idea
which achieves its fruition in our new journal.

We are happy to share it with you.

we expect it from a chic-
ken's chicken? We would
have to put the chicken
on a proper diet so it
would have a perfect
shape. Oh, I know the
best thing we could do is
to send it to the nudist
colony; then it will be like
everybody else.
"I'd like to make one
suggestion to the scientists
— as long as they are con-
ducting research for chic-
kens not to have feathers,
they should reverse the
process and find how to
raise hair on all the bald

heads of American men in
this country. I am sure it
would be more beneficial in
many ways. I am sure the
chicken would not mind it,
and the human chickens
would be delighted."
Interspersed throughout
the pages are words of wis-
dom, such as Bertha Mis-
hcovsky's admonition:
"Happiness is contagious.
Be a carrier."

Mollie Portner Pitzak
contributed a poem in Yid-
dish to the journal. It and its
English translation follow:

* * *

Mein Muter's Hilf

By -MOLLIE PORTNER PITZAK

Ven ich nem zich halla baaken
Shtet mein muter leben mir
Und zie halt mein hant tzu mesten
Ve feel mehl ains, tzvei, drei, fier . .
"Zolst nit fargessen tsuker — zalts,
Und baimol — and dos haven
Tsuklop die aier, nor nem aroup
Genug tsum halla shmirren."
"Zolst nemen halla — nit fargess
Und zog die brooche hecher.
Nu, nem zich knetten — knet ois goot
Es muz zich gantz goot yirren."
Und durch die yoren, hehr ich noch
Mein muter's zisse aitzes
Und dacht zich — ven ich kehr zich oom
Shtait unter meine plaitzes —
Mein Mama!!

* * *

My Mother's Help

porter and it was set for a
lovely meal. It seemed that
the shopping bag was
magic, as it never ran out of
food.
"Mother had other uses
for her bag when she wasn't
traveling. It held fragrant,
delicious pies, cakes and
homemade bread which she
brought to her children.

What a wonderful, loving
person! She was a joy, not
only to her family, but to all
of the people whose lives she
touched."

Personal
reflections
about the world around
them are among the seniors'
offerings in the journal. Fol-
lowing are two examples:

* * *

Wandering Thoughts

By JEAN H. BROOKS

I often wonder what man seeks.
Is it to climb a mountain, reach its peak?

What is it that makes our day?
A smile, a word along the way?

Companionship is something too,
Makes one feel complete and new.

We crave to have peace,
Troubles to stop, problems to cease.

Friendship is a value too,
Someone to turn to when you're blue.

* * *

A Hidden Chapel

By BERNICE KONIKOW -
My heart has a hidden chapel
Where beautiful words are tucked away,
A treasured private sanctum
Used for prayers that I will say.

An inner fervor stirs me
When I retreat and unlock the door,
I feel a peace envelop me,
My faith is stronger than before.

(English Translation of "Mein Muter's Hilt')

When it's halla baking time
I feel my mother near —
R
"emember
what I taught you
So, do it right, my dear!"
She guides my hand to measure.
Sugar, salt and flour —
Oil and yeast and beaten eggs —
"Knead, for half an hour!"
"Save some egg-wash for the loaves,
Then set the dough to rise!" '
I say the blessing loudly —
Tears dropping from my eyes.
And through the years I hear her —
My mother's sweet advice —
If only I could hold her
. And kiss her once or twice!!

My Mother!!

Jean Rubach presents one
of many reminiscences in
the following piece which
she has entitled, "Mother's
Black Magic Shopping
Bag."
"Mother had a black
shopping bag which she
faithfully used for her sup-
ply of food whenever she
traveled for one, two or
three days. The bag was
prepared and ready at a few
moments' notice, with the
utensils such as dishes, cut-
lery, a can opener, napkins
and a white linen table
cloth. Naturally, the
perishable food was put in
the last minute for fear of
spoilage.
"My lovely mother was a
very modern woman in-
terested in world affairs and
the cultivation of her mind.

Nevertheless, she still
clung to her upbringing to
keep a kosher home and the
eating of kosher food. When
she asked how much longer
she would continue doing
this, her reply would be, 'My
dear, I have practiced this
all through my life and I am
not about to change at this
late day.'
"It was not always easy
to find a kosher restau-
rant, especially when she
traveled by train or car.
Mother never felt that her
food problem would curtail
her activities, as she
traveled to both the East
and West coasts to visit with
her children with her faith-
ful bag.
"One winter, I remember,
I had asked my 'mother to
join my children and myself
to spend some time in
Florida. The black bag was
put into use again. The chil-
dren and I had our meals in
the club car, leaving mother
to prepare her own meal.
When we returned, I was
surprised by my mother
playing hostess to two other
passengers whom she had
invited to dine. A small
table was secured from the

Puerto Rico Jews Mix
Spanish and English

KIAMESHA LAKE, N.Y. maintains a Jewish library
(JTA) — The Jewish corn- and Dr. Israel Ganapolsky,
munity of Puerto Rico has a physician, is a certified
only two synagogues serv- mohel.
ing it, according to three • In some ways the Jewish
delegates from Puerto Rico community feels removed
who attended the recent bi- from the center of organized
ennial convention of the Jewry in America, the dele-
Women's League for Con- gates noted, but there is no
servative Judaism. The serious lack of Jewish ac-
Jewish Community Center tivities. For the children,
of Puerto Rico in Santurce, a there is Hebrew school
Conservative synagogue, three times a week and a
serves some 250 families Young Judaea club.
and a small Reform congre-
In addition, to the
gation serves some 40 Women's League and
families, they reported.
United Synagogue, the
The three delegates, United Jewish Appeal,
Esther Low, Susy Kaiser Israel Bonds, Hadassah
and Ana Wagner, said the and other organizations
community center is affil- are active on the island.
iated with the United
The three delegates
Synagogue and its sister- themselves reflect the var-
hood is affiliated with the ied backgrounds of the
Women's League. Because members of the Puerto Rico
the Jewish community in
Puerto Rico is approx- Jewish community.
imately 65 percent Cuban
Mrs. Kaiser is the wife of
and 35 percent American, Rabbi Claudio Kaiser, who
the Conservative has been spiritual leader at
synagogue is bilingual. the Jewish Community
Worship services are con- Center for the past year. I
ducted alternately in studied for the rabbinate,.
Spanish and English and the Conservative Seminario
meetings are conducted in in Argentina. They were
both languages.
both born in Peru, of Ger-
For the some 25 families man and Austrian parents
that observe kashrut, meat who emigrated to Lima be-
is ordered every several fore World War II.
Mrs. Low also grew up in
months and flown in from
New York or Miami, the Lima, but she is married to
an American who works for
three delegates said.
In San Juan, kosher fro- the U.S. Federal Aviation
zen poultry and delicates- Administration in Puerto
sen products are always Rico.
By
contrast,
Mrs.
available in a supermarket.
The Conservative Wagner, along with many
synagogue, which they de- other Jews, fled Cuba at the
scribed as the center of time of the Castro revolu-
Jewish life on the island, tion.

