13 April 1997
Bubbie was the backbone of the family. In Baligrod, Zaida was a tailor who worked mainly for the local poles. When they needed a garment he had work. Bubbie supplemented the income by going to the market place on Monday mornings, when the Polish farmers would bring in their produce to buy and sell. She would buy cucumbers on Monday mornings and pickle them, so the following Monday she would sell sour pickles. With this income she was able to keep the family fed.
In America, Bubbie was the arbiter of all the families coming and going. Nothing could be done without Bubbie’s OK. If any of the children in the family wanted to go into business, Bubbie had to give the OK. If any decisions had to be made, Bubbie had to agree to it. When they went into manufacturing clothing, Bubbie had to see the sample, or any new style.
As told to Jerry Kessler by Aunt Bertha Sprung.
My memories of Bubbie are of a large but cold person who was not very interested in the grand children.
I recall when she went away to the country, she gave me 50 cents which I immediately spent on a malted. There is nothing like self gratification. Later, when I heard that she was niftar, I immediately felt guilty for not having saved that 50 cent piece as a memory of her.
Jerry Kessler
When we arrived here in New York in 1946, our first stop was at the grandparent’s home at 230 New Lots Ave, Brooklyn. I knocked on the door and Bubba opened it, took one look at the three of us grandchildren, and turned her head and began to cry.
We were here about a year before she passed away.
Erwin (Yermiah) Salamon