MERCER COUNTY'S 175th: MAGNIFICENT JEWISH HERITAGE

  Below are only a few of the numerous articles in the "JEWISH" folder in the Hamilton Township Public Library Local History Collection. Note that each graphic must be clicked in order to be enlarged.  There are numerous files in the "JEWISH" folder that are later than those in the above graphic. There are a few articles on the YMHA, Brith Shalom, Anti-Jewish matters, and other related subjects, more to come as they are uncovered. Unfortunately, digital slide shows do not allow for oversized articles on an individual slide due to the fact that each article has to be reduced in size to accommodate the individual slide. Our Jewish residents have a splendid historical heritage in our local Trenton-Mercer County area. These articles and those to come are sure to be of interest to those of our visitors are of the Jewish faith and are interested in its origins in Trenton and the Mercer County area. 

The photo above was sent by one of our regular visitors

and a terrific source for Trentoniana,Mike Kuzma.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 NOTE: THE COMMENT BELOW WAS WRITTEN IN JANUARY 2010. THE GRAPHICS WERE LOST DUE TO A GOOGLE GLITCH. GRAPHICS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, AND MIKE KUZMA'S COMMENT ALSO PRESERVED. MIKE WROTE:

Tom:

It's ironic you chose this week to feature Trenton's Jews.
I spent last weekend Jan. 15th in Jacksonville NC with Ivan (Itchy) Popkin. Itchy and I grew in the 30's, 40's and 50's in "Jewtown" That wonderful enclave bounded by Market St. Warren St. and Bridge St. The hub of activity was Maket St. between Broad and Union Streets.
All of the schuls were located on Union St. between Market and Fall St. where I was born.
Itchy and his brothers left Trenton in the late 40's,and early 50's. They went on to become one of the wealthiest families in the South, owing several furniture companies, and real estate holdings. Like all my old neighbors, he was thrilled to see an old friend who he could sit and rembember the days of his youth, poor but happy were the bywords.
Though born in the USA, my mom and dad spoke several eastern European dialects, among them was the mostly spoken "Yiddish". Growing up, I was able to get by with my yiddish, and had a hard time convincing Jews, I was goyum. While waiting for the bus to go to Jr.#4 on Union St. I was approach regularly to come to schul to form a minion (10)for dovin (prayers)
It was a standing joke, that the important Schuls were located on our blocks of Union St., and the "Hungarian Schul" was situated on the other side of the Penn. RR main line across from Parker School.
We had the best deli's in the world, and at least a dozen butcher shops, Kosher, and non Kosher, and a bakery or two for each block. Dr. Julius Hafetz who passed away last month grew up on Union St. where his dad was an outstanding Kosher Butcher.
We didn't have just food stoes, but beyond Van Sciver's reputation, we had Herman Spiegel Fine Furniture on Market and Union.I still chat via email with his son Herb, Uber Professor at MCCC.
Alex Segal famous for "Playhouse 90" grew up over his father's deli on Market St. next to Kohn's bakery. Segal came to Trenton back in the sixties to film a movie with Van Heflin, and Peter Fonda. The had a casting Call at the State house, and I showed up.
In the lull of selecting extras, I shouted out, "Your father had the best Pastrammi on Market St." He demanded that I identify myself, and when I did, he asked if I was Eddie Kuzma's brother, when I acknowlged it, he bellowed ,"than you deserve a speaking part"
And that's how I became a star!!! LOL It's all about neighbors!!
Hanging in my office, is a photo of me, and my basketball teamates from the YMHA, Every other year, I was honored as "Best Goyum" in the league. Russell Hedden a buddy from Lamberton St., who went on to become a VP with Bell Telephone, got it the altenate years. Can you imagine, we Catholics were not even supposed to join the YMCA in those days.

Best regards

Mike

Thursday, January 27, 2011