October 11, 1950 and November 14, 1950 As you can see, I am combining two things here – a letter from Joan that again invites my grandmother to visit her in California and the Warner Brothers stage pass that was issued. So, there is simply no doubt in my mind that they met in person, and based on other stories from my aunts/uncles – they met quite a few times – in California and in New York.
Seeing this, it amazes me that my grandparents, Mary and Joseph Sokol, were Russian immigrants and both had significant admiration for the stars of their era. From what I’ve heard, and read, life in Russia from 1880 to 1920 was harsh for Russian Jews. – the living conditions were atrocious and most/many Jews lost their ability to hold certain jobs and were treated violently by their neighbors. If you’ve seen Fiddler on the Roof, you’ll get a glimpse of just how harsh it was in Russia – Fiddler was set in Tsarist of Russia (a centralized Russia state) in 1905.
So Joseph and Mary, poor immigrants from Russia now in New York – and by all means, not rich – but not as poor as they could haev been had they stayed in Russia. Joseph, or Joe, was by all means a driven man – having owned the Jolly Roger Deli on Coney Island with his brother-in-law Sonny for many years, Joe’s love was music and poetry. In past, and in future blogs, you will see some of his poetry (for example, ‘Baggy Pants’ – written for and about Charlie Chaplin) and event one he submitted to First Lady Mamie Geneva Doud Eisenhower in 1953.
My grandparents loved the arts, and through connections from the Jolly Roger – they had discount and sometimes free tickets given to them – many of them bartered for Corned Beef Sandwiches and Hot Dogs! And oh did they loved the theatre (yes, they saw the original run of Fiddler at the Imperial Theatre), they saw Peter Pan ( also at the Imperial) in 1950, as well as Carousel (1950), and Guys and Dolls. They loved music – I have an autograph from Guy Lombardo in 1955 (I will post it in order) where he states “Mary and Joe, Happy Anniversary – Guy Lombardo” and a Jack Dempsey autograph (it says “Thanks Mary – Your Friend, Jack Dempsey) from around 1950 on a postcard from Jack Dempsey’s restaurant in New York where “Food and Friendliness are Knockouts.” And while we are on boxing – I recently (Ok, maybe 10 or so years ago) found out that a cousin of my father (Irwin) was married at one time to the late Beverly Thailer – better known as Vikki LaMotta, the wife of boxer Jake.
Back to music – -The 1950’s were a time of changes and the music of the decade both reflected the cultural changes that were happening while still holding on to the societal norms of the past. Following the detrimental effects of World War II, the United States was about to embark on a musical journey that would change the face of music for decades to come. Racial tensions were being strained with the beginning of the civil rights movement and music reflected many of those tensions. Rhythm & Blues (R&B) and Rock ‘n’ Roll popularized “black” music and many African-American musicians rose to prominence and enjoyed success, but while some were able to reap the benefits of their work, many others were forgotten or denied access to audiences through segregation. A lot of people believe that during the fifties many of the white artists stole music from African-Americans and capitalized on it for their own benefit in a way that the original artists could not. A perfect example of this happening is when Pat Boone was made to cover Little Richard’s song “Tutti Frutti” and Boone’s version topped higher on the charts, while considered by many to be the inferior version of the song. Others believe that the popularization of R&B and Rock ‘n’ Roll only helped to bridge the gap between blacks and whites and further the civil rights movement. While those genres paved the way for future music, traditional pop and country music clung to the past with old standards remaining popular and a multitude of covers topping the charts. Either way, this decade was a time of innovation that helped to influence everything that we listen to on the radio today.
But let’s not forget about the time in Russia – here’s a timeline of American Jewish events in Russia. Note the period from 1800 – 1920, these were the events that caused the Jews of Russia to America (plus some other notable events)…
1654 – The first Jewish immigrant arrived in New Amsterdam. They came after they were pushed out of Spain during the Inquisition.
1656 – Jews in New Netherlands are allowed to own property.
1700 – Jewish population in thirteen colonies to be estimated between 200-300 members.
1740 – England grants Naturalization rights to Jews who are living in the Colonies. 1761 – The first liturgy for services on Rosh Hashanah is published.
1775- The first Jewish person, Francis Salvador is elected to office in South Carolina. 1788 – Jews are allowed to be part of the federal government in the United States.
1791 – France grants Jewish people full citizenship status. U.S. Congress ratifies the Bill of Rights.
The Jewish people in Russia are restricted to living in Pale of Settlement.
1804 – “Statute Concerning the Organization of the Jews” is passed in Russia. Alexander I creates this policy to force assimilation by moving Jews out of the villages and into cities. Restrictions placed on professions and trades available to Jews in Russia
1814- First American Hebrew Bible is printed.
1820- The first wave of Jews from Germany begins arriving in the U.S.
1823- The first Jewish publication is printed in New York called, “The Jew.”
1827 – Under Nicholas I, forced conscription for Jews takes effect. Jewish Russians are forced to join the army for no less than 25 years. They can be taken into the army as young as age 12.
1838- First Hebrew Sunday School establish by Rebecca Gratz in Philadelphia
1843 – Jews are forced from Kiev, laws passed which state that Jews are not permitted to live within 50 versts of the Western border. (1 verst = .6629 mile)
1844 – Special schools are established which are designed to educate Jewish children to be more like Christians. Law creating schools also places tax on candles.
1846- The first national Jewish woman’s group is founded. It is a mutual aid society called the United Order of True Sisters. It is started in New York.
1852 – The Washington Hebrew Society builds the first synagogue in Washington D.C.
Harriet Beecher Stowe published Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
1860 – Rabbi Morris Jacob Raphall becomes first Jewish Rabbi to give opening prayer in Congress. U.S. Jewish population estimated to be between 125,000-200,000.
1861 – Emancipation of Russians Serfs. This removes or loosens the most oppressive and harsh measures that the Jews had to deal with. This allowed for Jews who were considered “useful” to gain mobility. Those who were merchants, doctors, and artisans were allowed to move outside of the Pale of Settlement.
1863- Emancipation Proclamation and Gettysburg Address given by President Abraham Lincoln.
1864 – The father of Yiddish literature, Mendele Mokher Sforim, who wrote under the name Sholem Abramovitz (1836-1917), published his first Yiddish story.
1867- First school founded in U.S. for becoming a Rabbi.
1877 – New Hampshire grants Jews equality, while a Jewish banker is not allowed to stay at a hotel in Saratoga, New York. Anti-Jewish sentiment begins to grow in the U.S.
1881 – Alexander II is assassinated! Russian reaction is to immediately place blame for his murder on the Jews. This is the beginning of Pogroms against the Jews. More than 200 pogroms occur in 1881.
Mass immigration to U.S. by Russian Jews begins.
1882 – The “temporary” May Laws are created. This begins are new period of anti-Jewish discrimination and persecution which last through 1917. These laws, which were initially meant as a temporary measure after the murder of the Czar, remain in place. They prohibit Jews to live in Villages or to buy or rent any property. It also denies Jews any civil service jobs. In addition it forces Jews to acknowledge Christian heritage and prohibits any trade on Sundays or Christian Holidays.
1887 – The number of Jewish students to enter into secondary school in the Pale of Settlement is restricted to only 10% of the population
The Jewish Theological Seminary opens in New York.
1891 – A decree was passed which forces the Jews that were living in Moscow out of city, displacing 20,000 people. They are forced into the Pale. Other cites follow with expulsion of their Jews.
1894 – Alexander III dies, Nicholas II’s reign begins.
1895 – The American Jewess is published. It is meant for Jewish women. At the same time, Lillian Wald starts the Henry Street Settlement in the Lower Eastside of New York.
1897 – The Jewish labor movement Algemeyner Yiddisher Arbeter Bund is founded in Vilna, which is meant to create a separate Jewish workers group – “The Bund.”
1900- Workmen’s’ Circle is created to promote aid, Yiddish culture, and labor organization between Jewish laborers.
1903-1906 – Russian Pogroms increase. The Russian Government tries to incite unrest between the Russian peasantry and the Jews.
1903 – Kishinev, 45 Jews are murdered, 1,300 homes and shops are plundered.Czar does nothing to stop the violent riots; the government does nothing, however secretly promote the pogroms. Emma Lazarus’s poem “The New Colossus” is attached to the Statue of Liberty.
1905 – Czar Nicholas is forced into signing the Constitution in October. After this is signed, the worst violence occurs. Pogroms occur in 300 cities and towns. 1,000 people are killed, while many thousands more are injured.
1906 – In response to the Pogroms, the American Jewish Committee is formed. Their goal is to protect the international rights of Jews.
1911 – February – The Third Duma, a liberal faction introduces the idea of getting rid of the Pale of Settlement. The two groups which opposed this, the Union of the Russian People and the Congress of the United Nobility, were given money be the government to keep this from happening and create stronger anti-Jewish laws.
1911- March – Jewish Man, Medele Beilis is accused of murdering Christian boy in Kiev. Although known to be not guilty, Beilis is held in prison for two years. In 1913, after no evidence can be created to say otherwise, Beilis is found not guilty and released.
1913- Anti-Defamation League began in U.S. by B’nai B’rith due to increasing anti-Semitic tension after Leo Frank is unfairly accused of murder.
1881-1914 – Between these years due to circumstances of violence and political oppression, over Two Million Jews left Russia. 1,749,000 headed towards the United States.
1916 – Louis Brandeis becomes the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice.
March, 1917 – Fall of Czarist Russia. The provisional government revokes all laws regarding the Jews, and for the first time, the Jews are allowed to worship as they choose too, work in the profession of their choosing, and live where they choose as well.
November, 1917 – The Bolsheviks gain power in Russia, and the Jews are denied once again. Lenin declares national Jewish culture “the slogan of the rabbis and the bourgeois, the slogan of our enemies.”
1918 – The Declaration of the Rights of Peoples of Russia is established. Its purpose was to give religious and national autonomy. However, it didn’t last long, as it was quickly followed by legislation that limited those rights.
1918- Jewish Sections were created within the Bolshevik Party. This however was not a good thing, as those sections began to destroy Jewish life and culture.
1919- Poland is re-established, which provides an area for many Jews, however there are still 2.5 million Jews who now live in the newly created Soviet Union.
1920 – There are between 3.3 and 3.6 million Jewish immigrants living in the United States.
1927 – Warner Brothers produces “The Jazz Singer.” It is the first movie with sound. It is a drama about Jewish acculturation.
Mary Dearest - My Grandmother and Joan Crawford 