[Cz-L] RE: czernowitz-l digest: March 11, 2010

Today’s rich Cz column compels me to make several comments that might be of interest to some of you.

Paul Heger brought up an interesting subject that applies to Cz, of course, but is really universal – on being a Jew and identifying or not identifying with the nation or culture in which one lives. 

Coming from a culture that is distinguished for (or plagued by) individual, original thought, a survey of large numbers of Jews might bring an equally large number of diverse opinions and none can be categorized as right or wrong. 

Because of the years of the Diaspora, Jews have probably become more adept at assimilation than any other group and it is amazing that the culture and religion has survived.  One of the reasons for its survival, to my way of thinking, has been the humorous elements in Jewish culture which have been picked up by host cultures of many countries, particularly in the new world, so that in effect, the hosts have assimilated to some degree as well.

But history advises caution which should never be ignored. I had a witty boss named Roger Purdon in my first job in New York in 1954.  Roger was V.P., creative director in our ad agency and he frequently handed out clever advice, which I’ve never forgotten. 
We’d had a client-problem which had been partly solved and Roger said to me, “Now you can relax.” 

Then he quickly added, “But not too much.” 

Many Jews in Europe, particularly in Germany of the 1930s ignored the very obvious signs of a Holocaust to come, considered themselves German or non-Jewish in some ways and ended up perishing. So when in Rome, yes, do as the Romans do and be as Roman as makes you comfortable, but remember that all Romans won't always consider you to be a Roman, too, no matter how you envision yourself.

Re Hardy Breyer and his constant flow of pictures (each worth thousands of words) – God knows how he finds them - we need to thank him profusely, throw a party for him, give him gifts and bestow honors upon him because he enriches and enlivens these columns as none of us could.

 Jerome – your clever spelling version of epes may in time be adopted by others and might in the long run bring about change to official Yiddish spelling of the word. Anyone who has studied etymology is aware of the various ways change has come to words in their history, both in meaning and spelling. Your addition of the “h” somehow gives the impression of relating more to Hebrew or antiquity. When I first saw your version, I thought that was the correct spelling of the word. You may go down in history for this change.

A stimulating column today. Thanks everyone.
Andy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: czernowitz-l_at_list.cornell.edu
> Sent: Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:59:05 -0500
> To: czernowitz-l_at_list.cornell.edu
> Subject: czernowitz-l digest: March 11, 2010
>
> CZERNOWITZ-L Digest for Thursday, March 11, 2010.
>
> 1. [Cz-L] Planning Trip to Czernowitz
> 2. [Cz-L] House with the refrigerator.
> 3. [Cz-L] Teatralnaya Sq.
> 4. [Cz-L] The enigmatic Ehpes
> 5. [Cz-L] Chazen Itzk Shoichet
> 6. [Cz-L] austrian or romanian
> 7. [Cz-L] Tony Judt on Czernowitz
> 8. RE: [Cz-L] hazen and cantor - shil and temple
> 9. [Cz-L] Pensions
> 10. RE: [Cz-L] austrian or romanian
> 11. RE: [Cz-L] Teatralnaya Sq.
> 12. Re: [Cz-L] The enigmatic Ehpes
> 13. [Cz-L] Itzik shoichet
> 14. Re: [Cz-L] The enigmatic Ehpes
> 15. [Cz-L] Alter Markt
> 16. [Cz-L] Re: czernowitz-l digest: March 10, 2010
>
> -----------

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Received on 2010-03-12 07:53:52