I believe that ever so often, we should sit back and appreciate the life that you have and everything that comes to you. We never would have gotten to where we are without our grandparents. They always have such amazing stories and I am blessed to have four amazing grandparents in my life. I believe it’s time we start listening and appreciating them and their stories. I asked my grandparents a few questions about their lives growing up and specifically, being a Jewish adult. Their answers astounded me.
Q: When and where were you born?
Howard Rosenthal: Hartford, CT- 1942
Lynn Rosenthal: Hartford, CT- 1943
Murt Garfinkel: Boston, MA- 1934
Betsey Garfinkel: Peabody, MA- 1940
Q: Of all the things you learned from your parents, what do you think was the most important?
Lynn Rosenthal: My mother always taught me that mother knows best.
Betsey Garfinkel: My mother taught me that there is always something good about somebody and to find the little things if you are ever in a situation where you don't like someone, to draw on those things.
Q: How did you feel growing up Jewish in your community?
Howard Rosenthal: When I was little, I felt privileged to be Jewish. I thought it made me special and set me apart. In college, I didn’t identify with being Jewish because I saw things and realized people didn’t really feel the same way I did.
Murt Garfinkel: I was scared because of the people who beat me up because of it.
Q: Did we have any family members involved in the Holocaust/who were they?
Lynn Rosenthal: I had four cousins on my father's side that were in the Holocaust and came over from Poland once they were liberated. They all had lost their kids and wives to the war and came to the states alone. They were tailors and all did very well in the end. One actually made the coat that Barbra Streisand wore in the movie "The Way They Were."
Murt Garfinkel: My grandmother, grandfather, and my grandfather’s sister were all in concentration camps. My grandfather's sister was a freedom fighter and was killed by the Nazi’s unfortunately. My grandmother and grandfather both were liberated and met in the United States.
Q: Can you give me any stories about that time that you remember your family telling you, if you knew what was going on?
Lynn Rosenthal: I didn't know what was happening, I was three yeas old. I was 13/14 years old when I learned what happened.
Betsey Garfinkel: I knew my grandfathers cousin was involved because my Aunt Lydia used to buy clothes and try them on us, and send them over there. I was little so I certainly did not know the extent of it, but I knew enough.
Q: How do you feel about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
Lynn Rosenthal: I think that nothing will ever change with it. I did hear of a restaurant in Israel that served free meals if Israelis and Palestinians came in together. It's things like that that is going to change the world. It’s going start with kids.
Betsey Garfinkel: I’m torn. I think the deserve their own state, but I fear for Israel’s safety if they do have it ... I just wish there was a way for everyone to be happy.
Q: Do you have any advice for a Jewish young adult now?
Murt Garfinkel: Try to bring your kids up Jewish because people need to keep this heritage alive.
Betsey Garfinkel: Be proud of your heritage because it is important to be who you are — and proud of it.
Q: How do you think your parents would feel seeing the world now?
Howard Rosenthal: Taken aback by me and my family.
Lynn Rosenthal: They would be amazed by the technology and the ability to talk to people and see them when they are in different places.
Q: Is this how you would have imagined your life now when you were little?
Lynn Rosenthal: Yes. 100 percent.
Murt Garfinkel: Yes, I’m very happy
I am so very privileged to have grown up with such amazing grandparents and greatly enjoyed sitting down and talking with them. I strongly urge you all to do the same.
