Reflections on The Jews of New York (PBS) and Our Nana

The Jews of New York captivated me, although I am not Jewish, my partner is. Well, ¾ as she says, but her mother is, and that apparently is the ticket. I loved this program because it brought to life all the great New York stories her Nana (who is now MY Nana) has told us …the Pogroms, the push carts, the busy streets and fresh food. Nana comes to stay with us from Florida a few weeks a year. A scotch-drinking, wisecracking, worldly and wise 91 year old who is sharp as a tack and hysterically funny, Nana drops the F bomb when emphasis is needed. Or, other expletives that would cause most 90 year olds to plotz. I taped the Jews of New York for her and promise to take her to “Russ and Daughters” for authentic Jewish appetizers and paper thin lox this spring. This was my favorite part of the show—it was a heart warming story of a family’s appetizing business. The two original Russ daughters who took over the store from their father remind me of somewhat of Nana with their Yiddish musings. As for their famous sandwich the Super Heeb, I think when you’re inside the culture, you can make fun. We (affectionately) call food store coupons “Jewpons.” Hey we like a bargain!

We hope Nana is coming for our civil union reception in May 08, since she could not make the original ceremony last May. She loves to stay here and we feel nothing but love and support from her. We’re also the only grandkids daring enough to let her near the stove so she can cook to her hearts content.. She “makes the rug” (rugalach) from scratch as well as potato latkas. She cuts her fingers a lot, like any great cook who handles knives and refuses to have cateract surgery. But, avoiding doctors for 60 plus years is why she has lived this long—along with her daily scotch. She also makes a potent Cosmo and won’t take no for an answer. We have an after 5 pm rule on that one. She reads with a magnifying glass, but her recipes are all in her head. C’mon Nana, I said to her on the phone, walk me through Zen style on your lentil soup! She teaches me how to swear and castigate others in Yiddish. We both launch when G Dubya appears on the TV screen….Oy vey is ma…you schmendrik, nudnik, schmageggy face! Come back Nana, now that I’ve lost the 6 or 7 pounds I gained last time you were here! I’ll even vote for your boy Ron Paul.