(Sam L. Bernstein. May 4th, 1952.)(transcribed by Jay H. Bernstein)(Abraham Berenstein, from Kiev, Ukraine). (Berenstein, orig. name).
____________________________________________________________________________
"Remarks by SAMUEL L. BERNSTEIN on the occasion of the unveiling of the monument to IRVING BERNSTEIN, and the re dedication of memorials to family plot at BARON HIRSCH CEMETERY, and made at Academy Hall, on May 4, 1952.
MY DEARS:
I AM THE BRIDGE between to generations. I am the youngest of the older generation, now speaking to you, the Daddies and the Mommies, and the children, of the next generation: To Cye and Seymour; to Eddie and Bobby; to Jerry and Sheldon; to Florence and Ruthie; to Jess, to Joanie, to Gael, and all, all the dear sweet others.
I do remember how, as a small child, how absorbing to me was that most interesting story of the journeying of our own Father ABRAHAM BERNSTEIN, and dear mother ANNA, and their brood of children to this, our country, just over half a century ago. The story of the journey across Russia, and through the then intervening countries, then through Germany, and then the long voyage on the ocean, can be reserved for another time.
* * * But, -- -- early on the morning of September 4th, 1901, the Steamer BARBAROSSA hove in sight of the Statute of Liberty, the vessel rode up the Hudson River, and it docked on the Jersey side. They had arrived! But the trek was not over! By small boat, Father and Mother, Max, Isidore, Gussie, Irving, William, Joseph and Jack, were taken to Ellis Island, then called CASTLE GARDEN. The Immigration authorities went to work on the immigrants, found them mentally and physically fit, that no one would prove a burden on the new land, and the ruling was that the family could freely settle wherever they wished in the land.
Now, they knew where they were going. The had an address in Newark, New Jersey, where the cousin BURSTEIN had setled only some years sooner. So, the family immediately entrained at Penn Station in HOBOKEN, for Newark, arriving there finally, with much hand baggage, at 12:00 Midnight.
Please remember that in the year 1901 there were no automobiles, no taxis. I am told that there were, at the railroad stations in those days, horse-drawn hansoms, or carriages, and so a driver packed seen of the family inside a small carriage, and two (Max and Isidore) on top of the carriage, together with the baggage, and the driver said ''hold on young fellers", and Max and Isidore held on for dear life, while Mother's heart fluttered for them in the carriage.
But -- -- when the family finally arrived at the address they had, it proved to be a shirt factory of the Cousin (the branch of the family known as Burstein) and of course it was closed for the night:
The cabman wanted to get rid of his greenhorns, so he roused the factory watch-man in order to locate the residence of the cousin, and the family finally arrived at the Burstein residence at 2:00 in the morning, and the house was dark.
The driver knocked on windows, banged on doors! "Wake up," he shouted. "Get up; I've got your green horns." you can imagine with what relief the family piled out of the carriage, after the trying long day of journeying, since very early that September morning.
But the arrivals were happy; the famished immigrants were given food and drink, and as was the custom, large doses of Epsom Salts to ward off the sicknesses of the new land. Also, an apartment had been prepared in advance by the Cousins on Broome Street in New Jersey, and after a couple of days of recuperation and rest, three of the family (Max, Isidore and Gussie) went to work in the shirt factory. The family subsequently increased; I and Irma luckily joined the happy brood. Father had started work as a presser, and we moved to New York on the East Side, at 97-99 Cannon Street. Four members of the family were now working, yet they never got rich. However, there was always plenty to eat and proper clothing. The home was always open to friends and acquaintances. The Bernstein home was a great gathering place. We were indeed a happy family. Those who remember the Pesach Seder Celebrations truly have happy memories. the "Chad Gaad Yu!" of Joe Bernstein on Seder night turned into the song "I Got You!" to his blushing bride, Augusta. Happy, happy Memories!
The family kept increasing: Now, the Glitzeeyaner and the Littwaks came in. First, Irving to Ray; next, Max to Bella; Isidore to Jennie; Gussie to Jack; Willie to Gussie; Joe to Augusta; Jack to Paula; Sam to Esther. The larger the family got, the greater the joy.
But alas, this complete joy and happiness could not continue. In January 1925, Brother Isidore was called to heavenly rest. In September 1935, Brother Joe; in July 1941 our Father Abraham; in November 1942 our Mother Anna; in February 1947 our sister-in-law Gushie; and our most recent painful departure is that of Brother Irving in May 1951. All those dear, dear loved ones, all so close to us and yet absent from our midst. How we miss your loving presence!
But, there is CONSOLATION. There is the consolation that the departed left us thenext, and the future generations that will, we pray God willing, multiply and increase to a mutually helpful and happy Bernstein Family Circle.
Nu, Zet mir Gezundt!
____________________________________________________________________________
"Remarks by SAMUEL L. BERNSTEIN on the occasion of the unveiling of the monument to IRVING BERNSTEIN, and the re dedication of memorials to family plot at BARON HIRSCH CEMETERY, and made at Academy Hall, on May 4, 1952.
MY DEARS:
I AM THE BRIDGE between to generations. I am the youngest of the older generation, now speaking to you, the Daddies and the Mommies, and the children, of the next generation: To Cye and Seymour; to Eddie and Bobby; to Jerry and Sheldon; to Florence and Ruthie; to Jess, to Joanie, to Gael, and all, all the dear sweet others.
I do remember how, as a small child, how absorbing to me was that most interesting story of the journeying of our own Father ABRAHAM BERNSTEIN, and dear mother ANNA, and their brood of children to this, our country, just over half a century ago. The story of the journey across Russia, and through the then intervening countries, then through Germany, and then the long voyage on the ocean, can be reserved for another time.
* * * But, -- -- early on the morning of September 4th, 1901, the Steamer BARBAROSSA hove in sight of the Statute of Liberty, the vessel rode up the Hudson River, and it docked on the Jersey side. They had arrived! But the trek was not over! By small boat, Father and Mother, Max, Isidore, Gussie, Irving, William, Joseph and Jack, were taken to Ellis Island, then called CASTLE GARDEN. The Immigration authorities went to work on the immigrants, found them mentally and physically fit, that no one would prove a burden on the new land, and the ruling was that the family could freely settle wherever they wished in the land.
Now, they knew where they were going. The had an address in Newark, New Jersey, where the cousin BURSTEIN had setled only some years sooner. So, the family immediately entrained at Penn Station in HOBOKEN, for Newark, arriving there finally, with much hand baggage, at 12:00 Midnight.
Please remember that in the year 1901 there were no automobiles, no taxis. I am told that there were, at the railroad stations in those days, horse-drawn hansoms, or carriages, and so a driver packed seen of the family inside a small carriage, and two (Max and Isidore) on top of the carriage, together with the baggage, and the driver said ''hold on young fellers", and Max and Isidore held on for dear life, while Mother's heart fluttered for them in the carriage.
But -- -- when the family finally arrived at the address they had, it proved to be a shirt factory of the Cousin (the branch of the family known as Burstein) and of course it was closed for the night:
The cabman wanted to get rid of his greenhorns, so he roused the factory watch-man in order to locate the residence of the cousin, and the family finally arrived at the Burstein residence at 2:00 in the morning, and the house was dark.
The driver knocked on windows, banged on doors! "Wake up," he shouted. "Get up; I've got your green horns." you can imagine with what relief the family piled out of the carriage, after the trying long day of journeying, since very early that September morning.
But the arrivals were happy; the famished immigrants were given food and drink, and as was the custom, large doses of Epsom Salts to ward off the sicknesses of the new land. Also, an apartment had been prepared in advance by the Cousins on Broome Street in New Jersey, and after a couple of days of recuperation and rest, three of the family (Max, Isidore and Gussie) went to work in the shirt factory. The family subsequently increased; I and Irma luckily joined the happy brood. Father had started work as a presser, and we moved to New York on the East Side, at 97-99 Cannon Street. Four members of the family were now working, yet they never got rich. However, there was always plenty to eat and proper clothing. The home was always open to friends and acquaintances. The Bernstein home was a great gathering place. We were indeed a happy family. Those who remember the Pesach Seder Celebrations truly have happy memories. the "Chad Gaad Yu!" of Joe Bernstein on Seder night turned into the song "I Got You!" to his blushing bride, Augusta. Happy, happy Memories!
The family kept increasing: Now, the Glitzeeyaner and the Littwaks came in. First, Irving to Ray; next, Max to Bella; Isidore to Jennie; Gussie to Jack; Willie to Gussie; Joe to Augusta; Jack to Paula; Sam to Esther. The larger the family got, the greater the joy.
But alas, this complete joy and happiness could not continue. In January 1925, Brother Isidore was called to heavenly rest. In September 1935, Brother Joe; in July 1941 our Father Abraham; in November 1942 our Mother Anna; in February 1947 our sister-in-law Gushie; and our most recent painful departure is that of Brother Irving in May 1951. All those dear, dear loved ones, all so close to us and yet absent from our midst. How we miss your loving presence!
But, there is CONSOLATION. There is the consolation that the departed left us thenext, and the future generations that will, we pray God willing, multiply and increase to a mutually helpful and happy Bernstein Family Circle.
Nu, Zet mir Gezundt!
I am going to find broome street right now near where I work in newark new jersey !
ReplyDelete