Update 10-22-02


Hi,

An exchange of letters:

From Barbara Blitfield Pech:  Rich, As always, I'm delighted to share and keep you in touch with all my daily and weekly activities, adventures, and trivia as I reach back into the days of yore.  Of course, I've always allowed you to edit and keep my humor in check, without question.  But  I am compelled to inquire -- the one time I specifically boxed On a personal note, I assumed that it would not be added in, or at the very least, my reference and use of the term "Christ Killer" would be rewritten in a politically correct manner.  While both incidents did indeed happen, do I now need to be concerned that some fellow graduate may still embrace similar feelings and I may be crucified for it?  I did receive a lovely, if shocked, note from Lynn Nudelman with reference to the incident -- we both attended Harbor Road together.  It is my sincere hope that her note will be the norm, and reflect the attitude of any other notes that I might be receiving over the next days, and not the beginning of a holy war.

From me:  Barbara, I didn't realize that's what On a personal note meant, but I'm just as glad I didn't, because then I might not have passed on to other people what was possibly the most powerful piece of writing that's hit the reunion updates. We all look back on growing up as such a peaceful time, despite ample evidence that it wasn't, in terms of the cold war and the 60's assassinations. But we forget all the prejudice, and reminding us that Jews were once called Christ killers, in as peaceful a place as Gibson, only 50 years ago, was terrifically important. And there was no reason to make the term politically correct. First, it would be lying, and second, it would downplay the impact it had on a little child. So, sorry for intruding, but you did something really good and should in no way be embarrassed by it.

From Barbara:  Rich, Well, putting it that way, I do appreciate your response, and view on the harsh reality of my early years -- being Jewish in a non-Jewish community and time. It is unfortunate that as you said, the impact on a little child in a lovely New York suburban community as Gibson was and still is, still binds me to my childhood memories of fear, harassment, non-acceptance, and the continued explanation and prejudice of who we are as Jews, as human beings, even in today's society.
    While I have enjoyed a comfortable life in Miami for the past 27 years, it is not, nor will it ever be, the Miami that we heard about as children, the Jewish Miami Beach of our grandparents' winter refuge from the city, and the retirement homes of our dear loved ones.  I never forget, even for a minute, that it is the South, and while I have been able to live in a racist city, Jewish is not, nor ever will be, the accepted religion.
    I have learned to turn the other cheek, but have done so to avoid being smacked on it. It is my sincere hope that within my lifetime, and certainly the lifetime of our children, that we, as Jews will never have to live in any fear or suffer the taunts and harassment, the non-acceptance, of my childhood, or ever suffer again the lost childhoods of so many Jews who lost their lives in the camps, solely because they were Jewish.
    Again, I am proud to be Jewish, and I have spent a lifetime, and hope to continue for many, many years to come, to enjoy the beauty, depth, and heritage of my life as a deeply committed Jewish woman.  Like the yellow Mogan David that my in-laws were made to wear in Poland, it is a badge that I wear with honor in my heart, soul and mind.  But until there is peace in the world, I will not offer those who are not able to understand, more reason to hurt and destroy anyone ever again.
    If you wish, you are welcome to add this addendum, or anything else, to the next reunion update, with my blessing.

On quieter ground, from Peggy Cooper Schwartz:  About that Niagara Falls boat ride -- my husband, Les and I took it about 7 years ago (after dropping our son David off for his freshman year at the University of Rochester). It's called The Maid of The Mist, and it really was awesome.  We also made the same mistake of spending several hours exploring the American side of the falls, before realizing the superiority of the Canadian side.  
    Another class of '69 connection:  my son David worked at a camp in Pennsylvania this summer along with Marilyn Horowitz Goldhammer's daughter.  Plus, my daughter Sarah's best friend works at the temple in Maryland where Marilyn is the Hebrew School principal.  We really are one big family.  If any classmates will be down in Palm Beach County for the winter holidays,  I would love to see them.  

From our international correspondent in the Midwest, Jerry Bittman:  Once again last week, John Madden, the football analyst on Monday Night Football was traveling from Seattle to Pittsburgh for the game on his Madden Cruiser.  A number of years ago, Madden (America's Premier Food Expert) said in a Sports Illustrated  article that Grandpa's Steak House in Kearney has the best steaks in the country.  This time he said that Skeeter Barnes (another local eatery) has as good barbecue as any restaurant in the country. So forget about the restaurants in New York, San Francisco, New Orleans.  Come to Kearney, Nebraska for your culinary delights.  And be sure to order our local Kool-Aid  to go with your filet mignon.

Finally, a reminder from Paul DeMartino:  The next New York gathering is on Sunday, October 27, at Hudek's Pub in Baldwin.  Please contact me for details -- or just show up.

The home page address (not a link):   hometown.aol.com/falcons1965a


Rich