Saturday, March 6, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
14
1980 at Ellis & Jody's wedding
1980 Jody & Ellis wedding
1993 April at Arlene's wedding
1952 Atlantic City Ellis 13 months old
13
Anita, Gerri (15yr) Joan at the shore
at the shore -the girls
Class of 1941 Wm B Mann
Class of 1941 back of pix
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Vered's memries
Before facebook or skype were even thought of, Gamma and Zayde had made an art of keeping in such close touch, you would never have known there was such an enormous distance between us. And as a child, I didn't. I was convinced that the small "Reich" hotel in our neighborhood was America, because it was where my Nana and Zayde lived, and they lived in America. I remember in one of their earlier visits being allowed to sleep over on a pullout couch and how exciting it was - especially for Gamma. She was soooo happy to have me over (I'm pretty sure each kid had their turn, but of course I only remember mine...) it felt like I was giving her a treat, rather than the other way around. I remember Gammas happiness and excitement about seeing us rubbing off and sticking for weeks on end.
My first visit to the states (the first one I remember) I was four years old, and it was just me and Daddy. I remember walking on the boardwalk with Gam and her stopping to freshen up her lipstick. I said I wanted some too, so she kissed me on the lips and said "there! You look beautiful!" and showed me a mirror. We both laughed and laughed after that, and I was soooo proud to be waring my Gamma's lipstick. I remember parts of recording the famous "you've reached Joan and Arn, don't hang up!" I remember asking Gamma who these Joan and Arn were, and the shock of learning that Gamma and Zayde are not just Gamma and Zayde or Dad and Toots, but are known to the world as Joan and Arnold. I remember after recording the message Gamma heard Zayde coming in, and we hid really fast and played the message for him so he would here my voice from one side of the room while I was really hiding with Gam behind the bed, and how endlessly hilarious I thought that was.
Later, I remember her brushing the hair out of my eyes saying I shouldn't hide my pretty face. I remember one time in Israel, we went to the Tel-Aviv museum, and it was an outing just for Gamma, Daddy and me, because we're all "sandwich kids".
And even later, I remember talking to her about about boys and school, and feeling that talking to Gamma is the easiest thing in the world. I remember her sweet noodle kugel. I loved that, and she made it for me every time I came. And I remember always feeling special when she was around, because she would never let you feel like you were anything less.
My first visit to the states (the first one I remember) I was four years old, and it was just me and Daddy. I remember walking on the boardwalk with Gam and her stopping to freshen up her lipstick. I said I wanted some too, so she kissed me on the lips and said "there! You look beautiful!" and showed me a mirror. We both laughed and laughed after that, and I was soooo proud to be waring my Gamma's lipstick. I remember parts of recording the famous "you've reached Joan and Arn, don't hang up!" I remember asking Gamma who these Joan and Arn were, and the shock of learning that Gamma and Zayde are not just Gamma and Zayde or Dad and Toots, but are known to the world as Joan and Arnold. I remember after recording the message Gamma heard Zayde coming in, and we hid really fast and played the message for him so he would here my voice from one side of the room while I was really hiding with Gam behind the bed, and how endlessly hilarious I thought that was.
Later, I remember her brushing the hair out of my eyes saying I shouldn't hide my pretty face. I remember one time in Israel, we went to the Tel-Aviv museum, and it was an outing just for Gamma, Daddy and me, because we're all "sandwich kids".
And even later, I remember talking to her about about boys and school, and feeling that talking to Gamma is the easiest thing in the world. I remember her sweet noodle kugel. I loved that, and she made it for me every time I came. And I remember always feeling special when she was around, because she would never let you feel like you were anything less.
'Aunt' Fayge's memories
My friendship with Jay and Genia came with an added bonus - Joan.
I was part of a package deal - Joan embraced me as a part of the family; since I was important to Jay and Genia, I was also important to her.
She was so kind to me. I visited in Philadelphia when I was in the States. When she came to Israel there was always a dinner out for me and Jay and Genia's other friends. There were bottles of wine at chagim. When I admired a synagogue cookbook she had given Genia, a copy for me arrived shortly after - some of my favorite recipes are in it and using it also brings back the fond memories of Joan.
She was always happy and smiling (of course I generally was seeing her when she was with her 5 adorable grandchildren) and it was always a pleasure to be with her. The wonderful relationship that she and Genia had was something most women can only dream of.
My life is richer for having known her. May her memory be blessed.
Fay
I was part of a package deal - Joan embraced me as a part of the family; since I was important to Jay and Genia, I was also important to her.
She was so kind to me. I visited in Philadelphia when I was in the States. When she came to Israel there was always a dinner out for me and Jay and Genia's other friends. There were bottles of wine at chagim. When I admired a synagogue cookbook she had given Genia, a copy for me arrived shortly after - some of my favorite recipes are in it and using it also brings back the fond memories of Joan.
She was always happy and smiling (of course I generally was seeing her when she was with her 5 adorable grandchildren) and it was always a pleasure to be with her. The wonderful relationship that she and Genia had was something most women can only dream of.
My life is richer for having known her. May her memory be blessed.
Fay
Rahel's memories
Some of the earliest memories I have of Nana are the kind that I don't even know whether they're mine or constructed from stories. I remember our surprise visit, not the famous scream-run-dance sequence, but Nana hugging me and Bru and giving us candy. I remember playing on the shaggy carpet and thinking I can swim in it. I remember her brushing my hair, and wrapping us up in matching towels after a shower - or do I just remember that picture? It's hard to tell.
Later on, things become clearer. When I was nine I came to the US allbymyself, and we had a great time together. I went with Nana to aunt Ceil's shop, where she worked at the time, and I was allowed to sit on the counter and help make gift boxes. They taught me how to giftwrap (a very useful skill!) and gave me lots of pretty stickers.
Nana took me to see a real ballet performance, The Nutcracker, in a big old theater in Philadelphia. I was entranced, of course. She got us good seats up front, and thought it was really funny when I looked up in wonder at the people in the balcony and asked why we couldn't sit up there.
We spent time in Nana and Zayde's old apartment in Atlantic City, and went out to bike on the boardwalk in the mornings. We went to swim in the ocean, collected shells and made sand sculptures. When I came back later - I was 18 already, I think - Nana was busy decorating the new apartment in Atlantic City. It was so exciting to go out with her to find just the right table, just the right mirror, or to visit Phyllis to see her making the kitchen mat with the broken egg.
The last time I came before she passed away, we walked together slowly on the beach and looked at what the tide washed up. I remember it as a cool and slightly windy day, and we walked for a while in a comfortable silence. That walk on the beach is still one of my most meaningful and precious memories of Nana.
Later on, things become clearer. When I was nine I came to the US allbymyself, and we had a great time together. I went with Nana to aunt Ceil's shop, where she worked at the time, and I was allowed to sit on the counter and help make gift boxes. They taught me how to giftwrap (a very useful skill!) and gave me lots of pretty stickers.
Nana took me to see a real ballet performance, The Nutcracker, in a big old theater in Philadelphia. I was entranced, of course. She got us good seats up front, and thought it was really funny when I looked up in wonder at the people in the balcony and asked why we couldn't sit up there.
We spent time in Nana and Zayde's old apartment in Atlantic City, and went out to bike on the boardwalk in the mornings. We went to swim in the ocean, collected shells and made sand sculptures. When I came back later - I was 18 already, I think - Nana was busy decorating the new apartment in Atlantic City. It was so exciting to go out with her to find just the right table, just the right mirror, or to visit Phyllis to see her making the kitchen mat with the broken egg.
The last time I came before she passed away, we walked together slowly on the beach and looked at what the tide washed up. I remember it as a cool and slightly windy day, and we walked for a while in a comfortable silence. That walk on the beach is still one of my most meaningful and precious memories of Nana.
Monday, February 8, 2010
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