GuesT ColuMn

Such a Privilege

Matthew Rosenberg
Special to AppleTree

I felt compelled to write this brief
article following my most recent visit
with my grandparents, Marvin and
Ruth Rosenberg. Nearing my 30th
birthday, I feel privileged to have
had my grandparents in my life for
such a long time, and I hope that
there are many more years to
come.
Their strict adherence to their
unique sense of Judaism proliferates
all spheres of their lives and now,
as an adult, I am truly appreciative
to them for countless reasons.

y grandfather, or as many
around Detroit know him
— "Mr. Ross, the window
man" — has owned Diamond Ida
Windows for over four decades
and continues to work 50 hours a
week by choice. He probably has
sold windows to about half of the
people in metropolitan Detroit at
one time or another.
Although nearly 88 years of age,
my grandfather continues to experi-
ence the thrill and excitement of
making "the sale." When I come to
my grandparents' house for Sab-
bath dinners, he still takes great
pleasure in informing everyone how
many windows he has sold that -
day.
My grandfather is a man who has
lived by a strict set of principles his
entire life. He eats only kosher meat
and never mixes dairy and meat
products on any occasion. He has
never missed his mother's or father's
yahrtzeit in the nearly 40 years
since their deaths, and he rarely
misses Saturday morning services at
his shul, Adat Shalom Synagogue.
He has never flown on any aircraft

have seen all five of their grand-
foods: baked lamb
children become a bar or bat mitz-
ribs, veal chops,
vah, graduate from college and
stuffed cabbage,
start their own lives.
farfel and more, to
Whenever I doubt myself or my
perfection.
abilities, or when I am just feeling
Like my grandfa-
blue, I know I can go to my
ther, she is deeply
grandparents' home and I will •
dedicated to her
feel better. My grandmother will
religion and her
give me unconditional love, nur-
shul, and she will
turing and support, while I witness
only miss Saturday
morning services if
the amazing strength and pride of
she is ill.
my grandfather.
I cannot relate to you how special
Together, my
it is for me to have my grandmother
grandparents have
share her recipes with me, which
survived over six
were passed down to her from her
decades together.
grandmother.
They have survived
My grandparents are very dear to
the Great Depres-
Ruth and Marvin Rosenberg and grandson Matthew.
me, and the least that I can do is
sion and a great
honor their wisdom, presence and
war. They have
because of his fear of being out of
love by writing this article. El
survived the death of their youngest
control; and, therefore, he drives
son. They have survived the deaths
Matthew Rosenberg is a psy-
more than some men half his age.
of nearly all of their relatives and
chotherapist at the Children's Cen-
My grandfather gives the appear-
friends from their generation. They
ter, a private agency in Detroit's
ance of being a tough, hardened,
have always kept their heads high,
New Center area. He attends Tem-
and even irritable man. However,
and continue to overcome the strug-
ple Israel.
those who know him well under-
les that life inevitably offers. ,
stand the facade he displays.
Most important to them, they
Underneath this facade is a kind,
curious and sensitive man, who
Have you or your child written a story, poem or essay you think would
cares deeply for his family, espe-
Teat for AppleTree? If so, please send it our way. Material should
cially his wife of more than 60
double-spaced and no longer than 1-11/2 pages. All submis-
years.
sions must focus on Jewish history, culture, religion or family life.
My grandmother also is such a
Thile we Welcome essays about family and friends, these must
special human being. She has car-
include a relevant Jewish theme. For example: HQw did this person
ried no spite in her heart toward
influence your Jewish life today, or what was it like growing up Jewish
people, even though she has had
in another decade, or what important contributions did this person
many tragic disappointments in her
make to the Jewish community? Please, do not send essays simply
80 years of life. As children, my
telling how wonderful your parent, grandparent or child is.
brother, sister and I would go to
A photograph of the author is appreciated. Please include a brief
their home for Sabbath dinner every
biography
including the writer's age, city of residence, school and hob-
Friday, and she would sit and play
bies. Mail to: Submissions, c/o AppleTree, 27676 Franklin Road,
double solitaire and other games
Southfield, MI 48034, fax to (248) 354-6069, or e-mail to
with me. She is the best chef I have
philapple@earthlink,net. We reserve the right to edit all material.
ever known, and l continue to look
Please, do not call our offices to ask when your submission will appear.
forward io her meals on the Sab-

bath. She will cook her special

12/24
1999

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