Wow, what an event on Sunday! Safran Hall was packed with members of Perth Amboy’s Jewish community from both near and far to celebrate the completion of Perth Amboy’s Jewish Community: History, Memories, Tribute. In addition to enjoying delicious cookies and coffee prepared by our own Ann Blog, we learned about the twelve year process that went into making this special book. As author Mona Shangold said, one of the primary purposes of the book is to have a written record of the vibrant, exciting, and full Jewish life enjoyed by so many people so that their descendants could have an insight into where they came from.

 

Yet more than just a trip down memory lane, this wonderful event emphasized how our community is the living link to that vibrant history. Our continued growth and success will not only retain the memories of previous generations, but will enliven them through the creation of new memories and the building of another strong and vibrant Jewish community in Perth Amboy.

 

My favorite part of the event was hearing the stories people shared about their experience in Perth Amboy. For instance…

 

 

Lynn Ebert on her great aunt’s need to find fish she can look in the eyes to know it was good for a holiday meal (VIDEO) 

 

 

Rhoda Juskow explaining how she came to Beth Mordecai because of it’s youth group (VIDEO) 

 

These stories are testament to the fact that, as Bardin Levavy described, “you can take people out of Perth Amboy, but you can never take Perth Amboy out of them.” Now, as we look to bring people back to Perth Amboy, let us resolve to create a lasting and vibrant community that will live on in the future as strongly as the memories of our past.

 

Kol Tuv,

 

Rabbi Ari Saks