George E Westinghouse High School - Sketch Book Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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:ll - ,, l'-I, J L 1? J. lm Which one PU Match-making. Already some of the professional match-makers are looking me over. I'll choose my own husband. What do you mean ? Evidently you do not know that there are people whose sole occupation is finding suitable partners for marriageable young men and women. The custom was practiced in Europe and has now become profitable in orthodox settlements here. These match-makers travel IFOIU one group to another and sometimes make such complete arrangements for the marriage that the bride and groom do not meet until the ceremony. I should think much dissatisfaction would arise, I interposed. It does. Not very long ago two men met here who had not seen each other for over thirty years. While exchanging past experiences, they became enthusiastic over their children's merits and iinally decided that there would be nothing more pleasing than to arrange a marriage between the two families. Each returned to his home town where preparations for the great event were soon made. The men communicated by letters and were eagerly awaiting the marriage. But what a dis- appointment when the families met for the ceremony! Instead of a bride and groom, there were two grooms! Each father had neglected to tell the other the sex of his child! At this point a little chuckle escaped my uncle who had entered during the latter part of our conversation. Let me tell you of something which happened to me in Russia, he said. I was only nineteen when I took a job as a frmer's helper in a little town about a hundred miles from my home. I was pleased with the place except for one thing. Sybil, the youngest of the farmer's three daughters, often interrupted me while I worked. Before long her parents tried to persuade me to marry her. I informed them that I had no intention of marrying her. I was too young and wanted to see the world. Then Sybil became busy on her own account. She had been used to having her own way and my indifference troubled her. She went to a nearby gypsy camp, where the witch informed her that the only way to gain my love was to steal a lock of my hair and bring it to her. She would then burn it and put a spell over me. About that time Sybil's relatives came from near-by towns to help influence me to marry her. Disgusted with the situation, I decided to return home. Before I left she requested a lock of my hair, which I gave her. About three days after I reached home, I fell ill. Something kept drawing me to the girl. This was strange, for I did not love her. Nothing else would help meg so I returned to the farm, where I felt better. Two weeks later I came home a second time, only to become sick again. The best doctors were brought, but they could find nothing wrong with me. One day Mother told me that the gypsies were in town and if I conferred with the witch, she would be sure to tell me how to overcome the spell. At the camp the witch told me to get a lock of Sybil's hair, and she would break the spell by burning it. I accomplished my purpose and regained my health. I have neither seen nor heard from Sybil since. Uncle's evident belief in the gypsy's power and the Old World atmosphere in which he told the story were convincing. A few days later I had the good fortune to attend a meeting of the Mothers' Club. The conversation of the members had led to its usual climax, operations. Each woman thought hers the most interesting and listened to the others only Fifteen 3-1 lr'-f fi- ' it 'W '-' t

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i q--z '-9' - -imap, -11 all Y 'Z' 'is Y 7 ., , JI' Old Jerusalem in New Jersey o MANY, religion is the only differentia of orthodox and reformed Judaism. But those who look closer detect also the essential characteristics that separate the Old World from the New and age from youth. These elements I sensed, but did not fully comprehend until my first visit to orthdox relatives in New Jersey last summer. I imagined myself transported into a foreign land. True, my parents had attempted to prepare me. Don't forget what I told you about not being critical, Father warned. You adopted modern Judaism because you felt that the religion of your ancestors was not sufficiently liberal and broad for youg always remember that the truly liberal person respects the ideals of others. . Some find amusement in customs differing from their own, added Mother. Don't speak of religious customs in a facetious manner, however peculiar they may seem to you. Those dear old people take life seriously and would be hurt if you did not join them reverently in their ceremonies. Since courtesy is only kind- ness be very careful what you do and say. Yes, Mother, I'll try my best. Don't worry, I answered in a carefree tone of voice. This brave front gave confidence to others, but my soul was not without trepidation. Therefore, when I boarded the train and settled back in the cushions, my magazines and box of candy lay neglected beside me. Perplexing questions tangled my mind. I would be with strangers in customs although relatives in blood. Fear gripped me lest some impulsive expression of my liberal opinions might cause' offense. Are the people of that little orthodox Jewish settlement much different from those with Whom I had associated all my life? How do they act? And what will they expect of me? During the night a new worry troubled me. How should I greet my uncle? Was it to be a formal how-do-you-do accompanied by a cold kiss on the cheek? or a warm glad-to-know-you followed by a violent hand shake? or just a short hello? How stupid of me not to have asked Mother. And so far into the night I rehearsed different ways of greeting them, until I'm sure that the occupants of the adjoining berths thought I was talking in my sleep. The warmth of my welcome at the station gave me confidence. But soon after entering the home, I became conscious of an uncleis disapproving glance. Pain- fully I racked my brain for something that I might have said that hurt his feelings, but I had not the slightest idea of what it could have been. Perhaps he's naturally grouchy and looks like that all the time, I consoled myself. Nevertheless I was puzzled. That evening when my cousin Riva and I were alone in the living room, I asked her in a roundabout way whether I had done or said anything wrong. Smiling, she answered, It's nothing much, only that father remarked on your not having kissed the mezuzah when you entered. You know that is a little scroll on which are written the Ten Commandments in Hebrew. It is an ancient belief that in order to keep the evil spirit from the home one must kiss it upon entering. Don't you have one at your house ? Yes, I replied, I received one at temple for honor grades. But no one pays any attention to it at home, and I never inquired into its significance although I knew what it contained. Riva, I want to ask a favor. Please coach me so that I do not break any more of your customs. Well, there's one I should like to break myselff' she replied. Fourteen fl, gilt H I1 ' ' 41. :r 1 4'

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.ini --ur in ? -' 'lr -'lsr that she might have an audience when the turn came for a recital of her adventures in surgery. Mrs. Blum scored a triumph with the details of her sudden attack of appen- dicitis and an operation at three o'clock in the morning. Ptu, ptu, ptu. spat Mrs. Rubenstein, Nit doh gedachtf' Amusement and fear of giving offense drove me from the room. Wl1y on earth did she spit three times ? I asked Riva. To spit the devil away. Wlieii one hears of misfortune to which she fears she may be subjected, she spits three times and repeats those words to ward off the evil spirit. Friday morning I encountered new magic. It was in a friend's kitchen. Spicy odors lilled the room: the steam which rose from the pots almost shut out the View of Masche, who was bent over the dough that was soon to be baked into large loaves of shining twisted bread. The sun is already high and the dough isn't in the oven yet! Judith, dear. please get the pans out of the cupboard and grease them for me. Oy, oy, Judith, look what you've done! Step back quickly. No, no-with the same foot! Schleniiel! Don't you know that if a person steps over a child's leg or arm he puts a curse on it unless he steps back again with the same foot? Be very careful not to do it again. To please her I stepped back againg but I smiled to myself as I recalled the many times I had been stepped over without crippling results. About dusk that evening I decided to write to Mother. Before I had written more than two lines my aunt entered the room, and with arms a-kimbo stood watching me. I honestly believe that you are a Shiksaf' she said. You seem to know nothing at all about our customs. The Sabbath started at sundown tonight and will last until sundown Saturday, you aren't allowed to work during these twenty- four hours. Even my six-year-old Rosie knows that. I'm not working, Auntieg I'm only writing a few lettersf, f'But that is considered work, she continued in Yiddish. Not now, Auntie. Long ago there were no fountain pens and fine paperg then if one wanted to write, he had to chisel the words out of stone. At that time writing was indeed very tedious labor, but it is no longer so.', Indeed! she rejoined scornfully. VVell, it breaks the Biblical injunction: 'The seventh day is a Sabbath unto the I.ord, thy God, in it thou shalt not do any manner of work.' We must keep it sacred and not let modern convenience destroy its original meaning. Oh, I would that there were a native land for the Jews-one that they could really call their own. Then, and I'm afraid not until then. shall we be able to teach and keep the truly beautiful things which compose the foundation of the Jewish religion. Here, in this great melting pot where all nations become one, the present generation takes little or no interest in the tra- ditions which were handed down to us by our forefathers. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I laid aside my pen, and she left the room. But long I sat alone and pondered. Was this really a little town in New .Ter- sey! Or had some magic carpet transported me to an old, old country in a bygone age! Elisabeth Lczwfin. Sixteefzt 'Alf ,Y--A' if 1 .1 A I 4ll'l' 'fl ,1 :fi , ini I int