Newspapers / The Charlotte Jewish News … / Sept. 1, 1986, edition 1 / Page 8
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Page 8-THE NEWS-September, 1986 From Yiddishe Mama To Jewish Princess Editor 's comments: Mr. Shipley is a new colum nist for the “CJN " and will periodically have his col umn appear; the material will range from the light to the serious. Jim is a former resident of Charlotte where he owned and operated WWWLV/WDRV 11979-81). He publishes a series of articles in various newspapers, among them TIIIJ UKRIT.idE in Cen tral Florida and THE CIKVKIAM) .M'W S. He has been involved in many aspects of radio. TV. film, recording industry, marketing and advertising. A few weekends ago, I sat dozing in the sun beside my folks’ pool along condominium row in south Florida. My mom was seated with the “girls” under the umbrellas, playing Spite and Malice. Fine thing for Jewish ladies to call a friendly game. I wondered when these ladies, who have married grandchildren, stop refer ring to themselves as girls. Answer; never. The conversation this day was about food. Not food in the restaurant or dinner party sense. Not diet. Food. Food they remembered from their mothers. They spoke with pride, with humor, and now and again in recipes. What recipes! Most of them spoke of mothers who never measured and who, the day they left this vale of tears, never released all their secrets. But these ladies under the umbrella did cook. Believe me, they can still simmer a suc culent stuffed cabbage or mold a masterful matzo ball. What is the last of a breed? What’s the end of the line? Is there a shift in mores and tradi tion that happens so slowly that we don’t notice it until everything has changed and what was, just isn’t any more? When’s the last time any mother under 40 was referred to as a “Yiddishe mama?” There was a time when the Jewish jokes were about mothers stuffing their sons with food and the fine points of kreplach soup. Now, it’s “What does a Jewish mother make for dinner?” Answer: “Reservations.” When did this change come about? What happened to us? Was it the emergence of the Jim Shipley Shipley Speaks*^. The opinions printed in the Shipley Speaks column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of THE CIIARIX)TTF^ JF^WISII NEWS. HOUSE OF HUNAN TOR THE FINEST IN CHINESE CUISINE" -m A truly unique Chinese Restaurant specializing in a wide variety of outstanding far-eastern dishes, in a classic atmosphere. Hunan-Szechuan • Mandarin • Cantonese • Weight Watchers Cuisine Lounge • Mixed Drinks • Take Out Service Cotswold Shopping Center 300 East Woodlawn Rd. 366-2141 525-3406 \^atch for opening of our 3rd location on Westinghouse Blvd. Todd’s Flowers and Plants Serving Charlotte for over 45 years Our Best Wishes For a Happy Holiday • Make your holiday table lovely with a floral centerpiece • Wide variety of fresh and silk flowers and plants • We offer local delivery service and worldwide wire service 'IT ||TOO[ TODD'S FLOWERS SouthPark Mali EastlaiKi Mall S36-2S06 Carmal Commons 642-C7W 1800 E. Indapandttnca Blvd. 332-6117 Indapandanca Cantar (101 N. Tryon} 37t-0131 PAPERTOWN The wholesale paper house that is open to the public • Full line of paper and allied products • Tissues • Towels • Wipers • Catering & Party Supplies • Bags • Tape • Can Liners • Copier/Computer Paper • Janitorial Supplies & Equipment No Minimums We Break Cases Bank Cards Welcome Free Delivery Commercial Accounts Invited 515 N. Polk (Pineville Commerce Park) 889-5%5 4426 Independence 568-6663 Jewish middle class after World War II? Is that when the image of the Jewish mother was replaced by the Jewish princess? When we moved from the ghetto to the suburbs, did we have to leave all that behind us? What of the future? Let’s examine the situation and see if we really have a problem here. The center of Jewish life has always been the family. The family meant home. Home meant the kitchen. In the kitchen, mama reigned supreme. Perhaps that’s why, in Jewish tradition, food and the attendant culture means so much. The centrality of Jewish life is the Shabbat. Shabbat is welcomed in with a ritual dinner no matter how humble the home. Come Shabbat, dinner is more special, the house is full of odors and cleanliness and preparation. If there are strangers — let them come on this night and eat. The Bible tells us this. So, am I suggesting that the salvation of the Jewish people, the way to reverse assimilation and intermarriage, lies in the recipes mama did not pass on? Not necessarily. Our history, our teaching, our Torah are much more what we are about than our gastronomical tract. But through the steam emanating from a good chicken soup is not a bad place to start the con versation and interest the next generation. If any ethnic group is to survive and retain its identity, it must have its traditions based in the home. The family and what it stands for is the root stock from which the future genera tions will spring. If Friday night at home is more fun, more stimulating, more delicious than anything else — the kids will be there for dinner. The dates will start later, the leave taking will be less hurried. Trust me — I have been there. Mama — are you sure you didn’t leave anything out of the knadlach recipe? Now is the time to pass along all the secrets of the recipes. Money For Tomorrow — It’s Our Business Call on me Paul S. Kronsburg EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF NY Suite 415 2100 Rexford Rd. Bus; 365-3523 Res: 535-5775 ginnrB db 6 o o 6Tnr6'6 a avBTfl'd B rvm b irvvtnnnnnnro b neuiM Compliments Ed Caulfield U. C. Bn AOPORO Sl Co. > MEMBLRS NhW ^ORK STOCK EXCHANGE. INC. \ND THF SOI THFASTN I LARGEST INVESTMENT BANKING FIRM > > * The Esplanade, 2101 W. Rexford Rd., Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28211 i (704)365-3917 flQQQQQOOOOOOQOQQOQOOBQflflQ Q fl J A fl AflU ttfl tt fl ttl Ads Don’t Give Parties. We Do! Ads cant show you how Marriott caters a wedding, bar mitzvah, holiday, anniversary or business part\'. But our banquet managers, maitre d’s, waiters and chefe can. Whether you want a ballroom picnic with peonies or black tie banquet with Beef Wellington and ice carvings, our staff will serve you with meticulous attention to details. Call our Direaor of Catering. Get all the facts you need to choose wisely. ^ ^ F.XECUTIVE PARK 5700 NMcKpwk Drive. A» 1-77 «nd Tyvoia Ro»d. Oiarioctc, NC 28210 (704)S27^MS0
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Sept. 1, 1986, edition 1
8
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