THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

Friday, September 9, 1983

CONGREGATION SHAAREY ZEDEK

cordially invites you
to attend its

ANNUAL STATE OF
ISRAEL BOND
TRIBUTE DINNER

honoring

Old Getzell the Butcher

By

HARRY
DR.
GOLDBERG

(Editor's note: This ar-
ticle appeared in the
Florida Jewish News in
August. The author is a
cousin of Detroiter Nor-
man Allan. The scribe
mentioned in the story
was the author's father;
the mashgiakh, Reb
Rachmeal, was Allan's
grandfather.)

and little blisters on it.
Getzell called over Reb
Rachmeal who washed his
hands, dried them, and
checked over the specimen
in question. For only a mo-
ment did he scrutinize the
liver. Then he went over to
the shelf where the books
were, removed a book,
turned to the proper page,
then said to Getzell: Gib dee
froi a nonder oifeh." ("Give
Plans were made to the woman another bird.")
have Reb Rachmeal "Dee chicken is a treife."
bring over the necessary, Furthermore, "Varff aroise
s'forim (books) to the de nevayle." ("Throw out
store; a shelf was made in the carrion — not fit for con-
the front of the store, and sumption.")

dent in his little heder (He-
brew school) — in old
Slutsk.
What with a word here
and there among landsleit
who were anxious to learn of
the recent arrivals, chance
had it that the two men met.
A discussion followed over
tea and lehakh (honey cake)
in Reb Rachmeal's apart-
ment in the vicinity.

His name was Getzell. He
was in his early 30s when he
left Slutsk for the Goldeneh
Medineh — the lower East
Side of New York.
By profession, Getzell the books impressively
Getzell went to the
was a shokhet (ritual placed thereon.
icebox in the rear of the
slaughterer). So, when he
store. He produced two
A scribe was contacted
arrived in New York, the
chickens which were left
first thing he did after who printed by a hand a
from the day's business.
securing a room with board, very distinctive sign in Yid-
was to seek employment in dish and Hebrew that the They were wrapped in
newly arrived, honored and newspaper. In those days
a chicken market.
In those days, before the esteemed personality from electric refrigeration was
turn of the century, the • Slutsk would be the unheard of in the stores.
kosher-chicken markets mashgiakh in residence and
(Continued on Page 23)
were a dime a dozen. The that the store's products
were
not
kosher,
but
strictly
heavily populated Jewish
areas were Henry, and kosher.
FACIAL HAIR
streets followed by Market,
Some months later, on a
PERMANENTLY
East Broadway, Clinton, Friday — it was a cold win-
REMOVED
Essex, Grand and Delancey. tery day — a young woman
Eyebrows, Neckline, Arms
After several referrals came into the store at about
Recommended by Physicians
by landsleit (country- 1.p.m. She carried a bundle
FREE CONSULTATION
men), he contacted a wrapped in a newspaper.
S HIRLEY PERSIN
storekeeper who was in The newspaper was un-
Registered Electrologist
need of a shokhet.
raveled and there was a
ADVANCE BUILDING
Getzell was very energe- chicken with shiele (reli-
23077 GREENFIELD, Room 260
Near Northland & Providence Hospital
tic, and he figured that once gious question) — the liver
PHONE 557.1108
he learned the new lan- did not appear clear and
Over 20 Years Experience
guage and became intimate smooth; there were bumps
,with his surroundings, he
would open his own estab-
lishment and be his own
boss. Within a year after his
arrival, he sent for his wife
and two small children and
settled the family in a
three-room apartment on
Sue, Bill, Marty and Jason Rosen
the first floor on Clinton
Street, near the Slutsker
want to thank their many dear friends
shul. Now, all was go.
Many old timers knew
and relatives for their extreme thought-
Getzell, his parents, or
members of his family in the
fulness and many kindnesses shown
old country. They all had
during their recent difficult period.
one thing in common —
they were all poor and, as
the expression goes,
"strictly kosher."
A Happy and Healthy New Year
On being able to do what
he did in a short year, he felt
proud that he had his small
store and was competitive.

A Public Thank You

IVAN S. BLOCH

Thursday evening,

November 17, 1983

Morris Adler and West Halls

Shaarey Zedek Synagogue
27375 Bell Road,
Southfield

For Reservations Call
Shaarey Zedek, 357-5544
or Israel Bonds, 557-2900

WILLIAM M. DAVIDSON

General Chairman

IRVING LAKER

Dinner Chairman

DAVID B. HERMELIN

President,
Cong. Shaarey Zedek

Getzell felt now that the
business could carry a
mashgiakh (ritual over-
seer); and also that this
would enhance his stance
within the community.
The problem was not to
rush into this 'plan until
he would secure the serv-
ices of an honorable per-
son, one respected by all,
and a man of dignity —
perhaps a new arrival
from Slutsk.

Also, there was room for
expansion — the empty
store next door — and, with
that in mind, he would have
the finest chicken market
on the East Side; something
really to think about seri-
ously.

As luck would have it, a
man of stature with the
qualifications mentioned
did arrive from Slutsk.
Needless to say, Reb Rach-
meal was the man. In fact,
Getzell was a former stu-

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