Overview

A young boy watched his Zayda (grandfather) writing in Yiddish and drawing pictures with his fountain pen in a book that was kept hidden and secret. After his Zayda's death in 1948, the book was put away and was taken by the boy's oldest uncle in 1960 when the boy's Bubba (grandmother) died, and no one wanted to talk about the book. In 1979, Uncle Max gave the book to his youngest brother, Dave (the boy's father), and the next day, Max died suddenly. The young boy, now a married man, took the book and made it his responsibility to get it translated. Now, after more than forty years, Elliot Rosen has been able to bring the amazing story of survival and life's journey of Yisroel Ayzik Rosen (Israel Rosen) to the public. It might be HIS STORY, but it is HISTORY. It might be one man's story, but it is every immigrant's story. It is tearful, painful and depressing and yet funny, uplifting and spiritual. I feel humbled and honored to bring his story to you.

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9781960250988

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"""Here is the honest, unvarnished story of a life of great challenges and great joys. Israel's voice comes through the pages to touch the reader's heart."" -David Wolpe, Max Webb Rabbi Emeritus of Sinai Temple, Los Angeles, California ""A remarkable man... a gifted storyteller. I think historians will welcome this account of one immigrant Jew's struggles to make it in the new land... I have never read anything quite like this diary."" -Arnold Eisen, Chancellor Emeritus and Professor, The Jewish Theological Seminary"

Author Information

"Israel Rosen was born in the village (Shetl) of Vishnevets, Russia (now Ukraine) in 1870, the youngest of nine children. His mother died when he was ten, forcing him to fend for himself thereafter. He came to America in 1906, settling in Philadelphia, and brought his family over in stages as he accumulated funds. He suffered poor health throughout his life and struggled to make a living. He worked as a peddler with horse and wagon, pushcart, and eventually in stores selling tailoring and textile supplies. A religious Jew with a deep belief in God, he married twice and fathered seven children. He died in 1948. Elliot Rosen has been an active volunteer and leader in the Jewish community locally, nationally and internationally for almost sixty years. He has taught and lectured at seminaries, colleges, Jewish federations and organizations and synagogues. He is a licensed funeral director and has worked at Joseph Levine & Sons for forty years. He lives in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Maxine, of fifty-seven years. They love to hike, travel and enjoy time with their three married children and five grandchildren. Elliot has been an athlete most of his life and is an avid sports fan. Neal Karlen is the author of nine books, including The Story of Yiddish: How a Mish-Mosh of Languages Saved the Jews (HarperCollins, 2009), which was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, was named a top ten book of the year by the Jewish Forward, and praised by the National Yiddish Book Center as ""a delightfully unconventional, unique, and brashly entertaining tale."""

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