| OHCC LIVING | FEBRUARY 2024 | 39
Yiddish Club
My grandma, Hannah, emigrated from Poland to the U.S. in the
early 1900s. She lived with cousins in New Jersey who sponsored
her trip to America and ultimately married my grandfather Isadore,
a house painter, who owned a small paint store. Grandpa died
during the 1918 flu epidemic, leaving grandma a widow with three
young children.
Grandma had no education and very little money. There was no
government social assistance at that time. Since she didn't want to
become dependent on relatives or a husband for financial support,
she decided that her best option was to convert the paint store into
an ice cream and candy shop, where she eked out a meager living to
provide for herself and her children.
Mr. Snyder, a neighbor and customer, frequently bought soda and
cigarettes at grandma's store and spoke to her several times about
the possibility of her making more money during Prohibition.
He informed her that he had a formula for bootleg beer that he
would share with her in exchange for free beer. Grandma finally
agreed even though she knew it was illegal. They worked together
in grandma's basement and finally made an acceptable beer that
she sold from under the candy counter. The sales of liquor helped
grandma support her children, which was uppermost in her mind.
Not too long after, she received a visit from Sgt. Kelly, a police
officer in her district, who warned grandma she had to stop selling
illegal booze. He also warned her if she didn't stop, her children
would become orphans because she would be incarcerated.
The conversation went on monthly for a few years and would
always end with grandma offering Sgt. Kelly a free glass of beer
which he never refused. ~ Written by Bunny Landis
