I needed to extensively edit much of the formatting from the OCR scans for her work below, but I didn't really proofread. Let me know if you catch any errors.
* Stories From Her Youth
NEWLY UPLOADED!!! Circa 1956 - 1962, approximately. I typed out some of them.
* There's Always a Fly in the Ointment
I don't have precise dates for when Mom wrote these, but she had asked me to type them up and the file was last saved on October 26, 1997. I do recall quite well the Dog & Cupcake and the University Mail stories, and the Call Waiting and White Milk stories a bit.
* Miscellaneous Short Poetry
These were likely written after the above. Almost all of these have handwritten markings on the right: CC, P.C, Y, and/or CP. I don't know to what they refer but I've listed them and any other of her notes below each poem's title.
* A Town Called Yemenvelt and Other Stories
Circa 2004 or a bit before.
* Special Son
There are two very slightly different typed versions of this in addition to some handwritten notes. I incorporated as much text as I could, and marked alternate text as such. Mom dated this January, 2004, though I don't know if the handwritten notes were added later. Many photos follow the text.
* Letters From Grandma
Circa 2004 or a bit before. It took me a few stories to figure out that this is not her recounting letters from her Grandma, but it instead is from the perspective of she as Grandma, writing to who she hoped were her grandchildren, my children. My brother Ron is portrayed as Jeffrey, while I am portrayed as Eric. Apparently, I had a daughter who we named Becky, likely after my Great-Grandma Becky (Mom's Grandma), and another daughter.
There are extensive beautiful illustrations by Carrie Becker but I'm hoping to receive permission from her to include them before doing so. Does anyone know how to contact her?
* The Long Road Home
This one is autobiographical. Some names are slightly changed; Mom refers to herself as Sandy. Circa 2004 or a bit before.
* American Jewish Times - additions
NEWLY UPLOADED!!! My brother, Ron, found these recently. For now, this is a separate file, but I will be combining with the one below later.
* American Jewish Times
These are c.2005-2006 and perhaps earlier and/or later, though very few had dates. I preserved the order in which I found them, though I don't know if that is chronological order. I intended to seek permission from the publisher before reprinting here, but the newspaper appears defunct as of around 2009. I then consulted with a professional journalist friend of mine who said, "Oh, if your mom is the writer and the outlet is gone I'd say you're in the clear." These needed extensive proofreading due to errors in the original plus errors in the OCR scanning, so tell me if you catch any. Note that the email address shown on some is no longer valid.
* The Song of the Poet - selected works
This has various sides / moods of her, and includes one she wrote with her older son, my brother, Ron, as well as several about individuals.
* Horizons: The Jewish Family Journal
NEWLY UPLOADED!!! Four articles, 2004 - 2009, with the cover and any relevant table of contents. Reprinting allowed by the publisher since they acknowledge she retains the rights.
* Spirit Magazine - Exploring Family Issues and Developmental Disabilities
Six articles and more, 2003 - 2011, with the cover and any relevant table of contents. Reprinted with permission from the publisher.
Voicemail greeting from the land line
Voicemail greeting from her cell phone
2018 April 19 - Her mother's move
2018 April 27 - Visit
2018 June 10
2018 June 30 - Cousin Jeremy
2018 August 10
2018 August 14 - Her mother's health
2018 August 15 - Her mother's health
2018 August 23 - Her mother's health
2018 September 15 - Funeral plans for her mother
2018 November 14 - Thanksgiving plans
2018 November 15 - I had a little cold during this time
2018 November 17 - I had a little cold during this time
2019 January 3 - Cousin Max's Bar Mitzvah
2019 March 13 - Her final, ominous voicemail to me
2019 March 27 - Message for family friend Amy
2020 April 22 - The Zoom video conference with around 45 people to commemorate Mom on the 1 year anniverary (Hebrew calendar) of her death (16:30)
2020 April 22 - The transcript of the above including the Hebrew / phonetic transliteration / translation
2020 April 22 - The full version of the above which includes before and after chatter (28:16)
A screenshot of the above from cousin Gary K (click to see full size)
A screenshot of the above from Rochelle N (click to see full size)
Mom submitted recipes to a couple of recipe book fundraisers. Since they were her recipes before submitting, I can print them here. You can send any to me that you know were hers.
POTATO SALAD
(Pareve)
P. 15 of Treasured Recipes of Sisterhood Congregation Ahavat Shalom, Volume II, Lakewood, New Jersey. 1989
2 & 1/2 c. sliced, cooked cold potatoes
3/4 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 tsp. vinegar
1 tsp. sugar
2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced or chopped
Celery seed to taste
1/4 c. chopped celery and/or green pepper (optional)
Mix all ingredients and refrigerate.
[My note: I've made this many times, adding a little more vinegar plus black pepper and paprika, but omitting the celery seed (though dill seed might be a good substitute).]
MACARONI SALAD
(Pareve)
P. 15 of Treasured Recipes of Sisterhood Congregation Ahavat Shalom, Volume II, Lakewood, New Jersey. 1989
8 oz. macaroni
2 Tbsp. onion flakes, soaked in cold water and drained
1 large carrot, scraped and grated
1/2 green pepper, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
[Mom handwrote in the following note: opt. celery seed, cilantro]
Put cooked and drained macaroni in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients. Stir gentle until blended. Cover and refrigerate.
ITALIAN SALAD DRESSING
(Pareve)
P. 17 of Treasured Recipes of Sisterhood Congregation Ahavat Shalom, Volume II, Lakewood, New Jersey. 1989
3/4 c. oil
3/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/4 c. water
1/2 tsp. chopped garlic
1 tsp. oregano [Mom handwrote in the following note: opt.]
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
Dash of pepper
[Mom handwrote in the following note: If using white vinegar add 1 tsp. minced onion]
Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate.
[My note: I've made this many times with modifications.]
ITALIAN SPAGHETTI SAUCE
(Pareve)
P. 37 of Treasured Recipes of Sisterhood Congregation Ahavat Shalom, Volume II, Lakewood, New Jersey. 1989
1/2 tsp. chopped garlic
2 tsp. onion flakes
1/4 c. oil
1 (28 oz.) can tomato puree
1/2 c. water
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
1 bay leaf
Saute garlic and onion in oil until golden. Add remaining ingredients; cover. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring now and then.
BAKED CLAM DIP
P. 5 of Treasured Recipes From the Families of Twenty-One Plus. 1994
[My note: I'm omitting this because I think it was misattributed to Mom. It's very unlikely she would submit a recipe containing Tabasco (it would be too hot for her!), grated Parmesan cheese (which she dislikes), or clams (it is not kosher and she has a shellfish allergy). And she never served anything related to clams.]
SQUASH PIE
P. 26 of Treasured Recipes From the Families of Twenty-One Plus. 1994
5 eggs
1 c. Bisquick
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. grated Parmesan
1/2 lb. chopped Mozzarella
1 small onion, chopped
3 medium squash
Slice squash thin. Add remaining ingredients and mix together. Grease pan with butter. Bake in 350 oven about 45 minutes until brown on top.
[My note: I also have doubts about this being Mom's recipe, but not enough to omit it here.]
ICEBOX CAKE
Pp. 65-66 of Treasured Recipes From the Families of Twenty-One Plus. 1994
Graham crackers (plain or honey)
1 small box instant vanilla pudding, prepared
Chocolate wafer cookies
1 small box instant chocolate pudding, prepared
1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip
Sprinkles
Maraschino cherries
Place ingredients in 9 inch square pan in order given. Decorate with sprinkles and cherries. Let cool in refrigerator.
[My note: I know this IS Mom's recipe, as it was a favorite of her father, my grandpa Abe, and she made it many times.]
CRANBERRY SAUCE
3 cans whole berry cranberry sauce
1 can pineapple chunks or tidbits, drained
1 can mandarin orange slices, drained
Walnuts, crushed/chopped
Combine all ingredients and chill before serving.
[My note: This recipe is from memory but the ratio above plus some handfuls of crushed walnuts works great!]
SALMON CROQUETTES
1 tall can salmon
salt & pepper to taste
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c milk
1/2 c flour, crumbs, or matzah meal
opt. – dill, butter, onion powder
Mix salmon, seasonings, & eggs. Add milk & crumbs. Mix well. Drop batter from a spoon & fry until golden brown, turning once. Or spray with Pam & bake 375 for 20 minutes then broil 2 minutes to crisp.
[My note: I have baked these many times.]
TURKEY
Take everything out of cavities. Trim off extra fat and skin. Wash thoroughly. Cut up onion, carrots, celery & put on bottom of pan. Sprinkle garlic powder and paprika on top side of turkey. Place breast side down in pan. Pour orange juice over turkey (about 1/2 cup). Sprinkle garlic powder and paprika on other side of turkey. Pour about 1 cup water in pan. Roast @ 350 till golden brown. Turn over (top to bottom) not side to side. Roast until golden brown. Baste every now and then.
[My note: I have used this recipe many times.]
CHOCOLATE CAKE - MOM
1/4 lb. butter
1 & 1/2 c sugar
4 sq. chocolate
pinch salt
1/2 pt sour cream
2 eggs
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
2 t vanilla
2 c sifted flour
Dissolve baking soda in 1/2 c boiling water & set aside. Sift flour & measure 2 cups. Add baking powder to flour. Add salt. Cream butter & sugar till foaming. Add eggs & beat until creamy. Add vanilla. Add flour to liquid a little at a time alternating with sour cream. Add baking soda and water. Add chocolate. Bake 350 for 45 minutes in two 9" pans. If using cocoa, add 3/4 to flour. Add 1/4 c oil to butter mixture before combining with flour mixture.
[My note: This is either her Mother's or her Mother-In-Law's recipe. The chocolate would be squares of baking chocolate, or cocoa powder.]
It's cleanest to view on a computer due to formatting of photos/captions; click each one to see it full-size in a pop-up.
NOTE: If the above sentence appears on one line, the formatting of photos / captions will be clean on your display.
Rivka & Abe, her grandparents Gert & Abe (her parents) before her birth (pre-1945)
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Carol (friend?), Judy (age 2) Thelma (aunt), Joan (cousin), (1948-49)
(1947-48) Gert (mom), Judy (1948-49)
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age 4 (1949-50) Joan (cousin), Judy (age 4)(1949-50)
Passover seder video at Pauline & Charlie Kaufman's house 1951 on YouTube. Passover as usual was in April, so Mom is approaching age 6. Graciously provided by Mom's 2nd cousin, Sharon Kaufman. Sharon's mother, Pauline, was 1st cousin to siblings Abe, Sol, and Bernice on the Graff side. As best as I can tell, Gert and Abe (her parents) are at :19 & 1:10, Harriet (Sol's wife) at :29, Bernice & her husband Eddie at 1:21 and Eddie again at 1:40, and Mom at 1:50 & 3:24. Thanks also to Mom's cousin Arlene for determining the year.
Kindergarten, 2nd row 3rd from left (May 1951) Judy is upper-left
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(1953) Abe (father), Judy (age 8)(1953-54) 2nd row, 3rd from left (1954)
On the back is written Joan (cousin), Judy (1955) 2nd row, 3rd girl from right (1956)
'birthday 10' (1955)
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age 11 (March 1957) (February 1959)
age 15 "Peroxide head" Audrey, Judy (Sweet 16, July 1961)
JudyArlenePaulAudrey_Sweet16.jpg)
(August1961).jpg)
(back row) Judy, Arlene, Paul, Audrey Judy, Eddie (uncle) age 16 (August 1961)
(Sweet 16, July 1961) (Sweet 16, July 1961)
Her signed photo Mom, Dad, Esther (husband's Grandma), Gert & Abe (parents), Judy, Norman
from her friend Rose (paternal Grandma), Becky Max & Minnie (in-laws) (November 1966)
Barbara's yearbook (maternal Grandma) (November 1966)
Arlene (cousin), Paul (cousin), Judy, Judy, Barbara (friend)
Norman, Sylvia (his sister)(November 1966) (November 1966)
Wedding1966.jpg)
November 1966 Judy & Norman at their wedding
(November 1966)
Sylvia (sister-in-law), Minnie November 1966
(mother-in-law), Mom (November 1966)
November 1966 November 1966
November 1966 November 1966
At her cousin Joan's wedding Judy, Joan (cousin) at Joan's wedding
(1969) (1969)
_Father.jpg)
Ron, Judy, me (pre-1980) Judy (age 35), Abe (father)
Judy, Ron (rear), me (front), Norman Norman, Ron, me, Judy
at Ron's Bar Mitzvah (1982) at Ron's Bar Mitzvah (1982)
Norman, me, Ron, Judy Judy, Norman, Amy (family friend)
at Ron's Bar Mitzvah (1982) at Amy's Bas Torah (1983?)
Norman, me, Ron, Judy Norman, Judy, me, Minnie (Mother-in-law), Ron
at my Bar Mitzvah (1986) at my Bar Mitzvah (1986)
me, Judy, Norman, Ron Norman, Judy, Abe (Dad), Gert
at my Bar Mitzvah (1986) (Mom), Ron at my Bar Mitzvah (1986)
me, Judy, Norman, Ron Barbara (friend), ?, Judy
at my Bar Mitzvah (1986) at my Bar Mitzvah (1986)
?, Judy, Allen (Brother-in-law), Judy & Norman Norman, me, Judy, Ron
Barry (Barbara's husband) at my Bar Mitzvah (1986) at my Bar Mitzvah (1986)
at my Bar Mitzvah (1986)
Norman, me, Judy, Ron Norman, me, Judy, Ron
at my Bar Mitzvah (1986) at my Bar Mitzvah (1986)
Norman, me, Judy ~1990-91 ~1991 Ron, Judy, me, Norman ~1991-92
(1994)
_Norman.jpg)
(1994) Judy (age 55), Norman
age 64 Norman, Sylvia (Sister-in-law)
me, Allen (Sylvia's husband),
Judy, after my Marathon (2009)
Award that Dad won for his orchid, named after Mom
Judy, Allen (Brother-in-law) Judy, Allen
2011 2011
Judy, Norman Allen, Judy, Norman
Dovid (friend), Judy Norman, me, Chloe, Max (front), Gary, Ron, Zack, Allen, Ryan,
October 2014 Judy @ Allen & Sylvia's in Delaware (missing: Sylvia, Adam)
Ron, Judy, Norman, Adam (nephew) Norman, me, Judy @ 50th Anniversary
@ 50th Anniversary, November 2016 November 2016
Adam (nephew), Judy @ 50th Sylvia (Sister-in-law), Judy @ 50th Anniversary
Anniversary, November 2016 November 2016
Norman, Judy @ 50th Zack, Judy, Ryan, me @ Max's Last known photo of Judy
Anniversary, November 2016 BarMitzvah, February 2019 (March 2, 2019)