Juliene Berk
CALL HER BLESSED: |
REVIEWS and COMMENTS ON: CALL HER BLESSED Click and type in a question or comment Most stories involving American Jews involve some aspect of the Holocaust, whether it is escape from Hitler’s Germany, the recounting of its horrors, or of post-war angst and guilt. Few books address pre-World War II Jewish life, and even fewer the life of Romanian Jews in early 20th century Florida. Juliene Berk’s new book, Call Her Blessed, chronicles the life of Romanian Jewish immigrants. Centering on the author’s mother Lara, and based on her diary written in what must be heavily accented English, the book, although a bit slow at first to hold your attention, develops into a gripping saga of life in the developing South in the early 20th century. Beginning with Iasi, Romania, the author gradually and painstakingly develops the story of Lara, starting with her childhood a rearing by relatives, her courtship by Bercu Bercovici, the author’s father, their emigration to the US, and their life in Jacksonville, Florida. Although religious and ethnic persecution forms an understandable and important subtext in stories of Jewish life, the author, although describing several incidents, most which do not directly involve her family, keeps them peripheral to the fundamental theme. The story centers around the author’s mother, whose courage, beauty, grace, strength, stamina, wisdom, patience, and big heart makes me wonder how so much goodness could be found in one person. Through this portrait, Ms. Berk provides a backdrop of the urbanizing South which is surprising in its seeming ethnic tolerance, progressive outlook, and prominence, now only recently being regained. Woven into the tale are two world wars, both of which directly affected the family, the deadly 1918 flu epidemic, the tragic lynching of Leo Frank in Atlanta, and the deadly, barbaric pogrom in Kishinev. Embellished with snippets from Lara’s diary, photographs, and extrapolations based on the recollections of relatives and friends, Ms. Berk spins a compelling tale of cultural assimilation, idiosyncrasies, hardship, and success. Her family, despite numerous business successes and failures, and personal triumphs and tragedies, perseveres, multiplies, and prospers. Indeed, the book, for the atmosphere it conveys, is in essence a paean to Lara, whose love for her family and her family’s love for her suffuses the book with a warm glow. For anyone who shares my Jewish Romanian/Florida background, this book is an absolute must. For those curious about lesser-known aspects of the early 20th century south, or for those interested in pre-World War II southern Jewish life, or about Jewish immigrant culture, it is highly recommended. Jonathan Kaunitz Santa Monica, CA ON GLIMPSES OF SOUTHERN JEWISH ROOTS: "...a delightful collection of vignettes..." American Jewish Historical Society "... collection of short stories about real people and events involving Jews who arrived in the South 100 years ago. Also included in the book is 'Yankel In Amerikeh,' a group of vignettes told in the voice of one of the immigrants speaking his new language in a distinctive way..." Daytona News-Journal "...a 125 pager worthy of mention... well-written and interesting..." The Jewish World Northeastern New York, Vermont, Western Massachusetts "...collection of 22 charming stories..." Florida Today "... true stories about how it was in America when Eastern European Jews were fleeing pogroms and poverty. Hardships are combined with humor as the extended Bercovici-Berkovitz-Berk family adapted to their new country. ...Yankel in Amerikeh comments on what he sees, thinks and feels much in the manner of Sholem Aleichem's Tevye except that now it is Yankel who is facing a curious, sometimes dangerous and always perplexing New World..." Las Vegas Israelite "... The adjectives that came to mind while reading these works were pleasant and charming... Berk's loving descriptions makes it easy to see that she truly cares about these people, and readers may find themselves feeling the same. And then there's Yankel, the funny elder who has almost disappeared from the American scene. I found his monologues on life amusing... If you laugh or groan with pleasure, you'll find yourself liking Yankel." Rabbi Rachel Esserman, The Reporter, The Jewish Federation of Broome County, Binghampton, New York |
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