The informant explains how a common Jewish expression came into existence and the importance of it within the community. L: Why do the Jews say “wear it in good health?” M: Okay, so that’s something– um, basically every adult in my life, whenever I got a new pair of shoes, would tell me to “wear… Continue Reading »
L: You said that you had. . . the home remedy that your dad has for colds? M: That one’s not super complicated. It’s mostly just, uh, it’s something that his — That [my ancestor], taught my grandpa, who taught my dad, who taught me. Basically, like, you lie down, you give a person with… Continue Reading »
The informant tells the story of a famous golem from Prague, its demise, and its supposed future reselection when the Jewish people need him. M: When I was very young, my grandpa told me a story that he heard from his folks, about the, uh, golem that lives in the old new synagogue attic– of… Continue Reading »
Main Piece: What is so special about chicken soup? “All Jewish grandmas think that chicken soup will cure most of the things that are wrong with you. It’s called Jewish penicillin. And then I’ve heard that there’s some scientific support for this, in a paper I cannot find… supposedly if the chicken soup contains at… Continue Reading »
Main Piece: How did you learn about Bloody Mary? “When I was in Hebrew school, a teacher told me that Mary was related to Jewish history. She was a Jewish figure that would haunt you, and the teacher was trying to connect it to Jewish curriculum. I was like ‘why are you trying to ruin… Continue Reading »