Pitcha, It Makes A Refreshing First Course

Pitcha, it's what for dinner, at least, that is what the Bernsteins regularly ate some eighty years ago.  By all accounts, they loved it.  I made it for my father, and used the above recipe as a starting point.  He preferred adding at least a dozen cloves of garlic, and more salt.  That is how he remembered it.  The last time I made it for him, I showed it to him, and all he said was, "get me a spoon."  It has to be good for your hair and fingernails.  If you make it, be prepared for a "hoofy" smell in the house, though it isn't as bad as you might expect.

What's Old Is New Again

Fanya Beder Bernstein, looking as young as I have seen her.  There appears to be a ring on her finger.  Perhaps she was newly married, circa 190?. 

1920, The Facts

A detail from the 1920 US Census showing the Benjamin Bernstein family.  Of note, Fannie's brother, Uncle Nathan, was living with them, just back from WWI, recuperating after being gassed.  Also, my father, Sydney, not shown.  He was born later in the year.

It Is Official

Attached is an official document from Ellis Island stating that Benjamin Bernstein and Fanny Beder Bernstein "came to the United States of America from ZinkoProsno and Kremechug, Russia."  Now I will have to confirm the dates of their arrivals.  This document sent to me from Cousin Robert. 

On The Streets Of... New York (?)

Above, Benjamin Bernstein and Fanya Beder Bernstein.  I can't be sure of the date of this image.  I thought I had heard that this was taken right after Sophie was born, circa 1915, but there is no way to verify.  This is another photo that I flipped horizontally based on the fact that it appears to be photographed by a street photographer, and, I double checked the usual way that their hair was parted to confirm the orientation.  It looks right to me.