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Beverly Hills Gothic
I remember many a Passover at Zadie’s house on New York’s East Side when a drunken bum would wander in from the street, drawn by the smell of a warm meal and the sight of an open door. For thousands of years, Jews worldwide have left a place set and the door open for the Prophet Elijah. His appearance would announce the beginning of the Messianic Era, and thus a time of peace and prosperity. Still, we wait.
All of the Jewish holidays were celebrated at Grandpa Elia’s home. His house had two levels plus an enormous lower level that had the huge open room where festivities were held. Though it wasn’t in the best neighborhood, the gatherings were wonderful! The room was filled with the thick aroma of Russian cooking and the hearty voices of generations of Levines, speaking in Yiddish or in English, but praying together in Hebrew.
We held my Bar Mitzvah at my grandpa’s shul, and then celebrated it in his big, open room. My uncle Mike bought me my first pair of long pants, which I wore to my Bar Mitzvah.
