Research Topic: Language: Hebrew and Yiddish

Do you remember?
In Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco, Mrs. Katz used words that are not English, such as “bubeleh,” “bubee” and “Tush,” referring to the cat’s name as a ”good Yiddish name.”  These are Yiddish words.  Mrs. Katz also says “Mavel Tov” when Tush gives birth to a litter of cats.  “Mavel Tov” is a Hebrew word.

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Background Information:

When Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe arrived in the US in the late 1800s and early 1900s, most were able to speak their home country’s language as well as a language called Yiddish.  Yiddish was the language of most Jews in Eastern and Central Europe before World War II. Today, it is spoken by descendants of those Jews living in the United States, Israel, and other parts of the world. Although the number of people who can speak Yiddish is decreasing, you can still hear Yiddish words used, even among people who are not Jewish, such as bagel, klutz, and nosh.  The term Yiddish comes from the German word for Jewish. Hebrew is the spoken language of the Jewish people in Israel today.   Many Jews in the US and other countries are familiar with the language, too, at different levels of fluency.  From the 4th century until the late 19th century, Hebrew was not a spoken language, but was used mainly for religious purposes.  Hebrew was made new and strong again during the late 19th and early 20th century.  Today, it is called New Hebrew, Israeli Hebrew or Modern Hebrew.

Research Topic: US Jewish Immigrant Experience 1880s-1930s

Do you remember?

In Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco, Mrs. Katz tells Larnel about “the old country”:
“I come from Warsaw.  That’s in Poland, you know.  I came here to work sewing dresses in the garment district for my cousin Moyshe.  I didn’t speak one word of English!
“Then how did you talk to people?” ask Larnel.
“I didn’t,” she answered.  “A lot, I cried in those days…until I met Myron.”

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Background Information

While we do not know how old Mrs. Katz is, she may have been a part of the 3rd major wave of Jewish immigrants who traveled to the US between the 1880s and 1930s.  Because many couldn’t speak English when they first arrived in the US, many Jewish immigrants had to work in places that didn’t require knowing English, and the work was very hard.  Because of that, many Jewish people started unions (organizations of workers formed to protect their rights and to work toward fair pay, benefits, and working conditions).

Research Topic: Jewish Life Events – Weddings and Funerals

Do you remember?

In Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco, Mrs. Katz invites Larnel to a cemetery where Myron is buried:
“Since you are almost family to me, Larnel, “she said one day, “I want you should come with me to say kaddish for my Myron…”
At the cemetery, she read from her book.  Then she asked Larnel to put a small rock on top of Mr. Katz’s headstone.
“We do this to remember,” she said softly.
Later in the book, as Mrs. Katz and Larnel set the table for Passover, Mrs. Katz shows Larnel a tablecloth and says, “This was our wedding chuppa, our canopy.”

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Background Information

Just like other religions, Jews celebrate weddings and mourn people’s deaths.  They have objects, prayers and rituals (ways of acting, customs) that are specific to their Jewish religion and culture.

Research Topic: Jewish Holiday - Passover (Pesach)

Do you remember?

In Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco, Mrs. Katz tells Larnel that she met Myron at her aunt Havelah’s Passover seder.
“What good times they were, with lots and lots of family.  Now it’s just me,” she says softly.
Could I have Passover dinner with you?” asked Larnel.
“I though you would never ask!” she exclaimed as she hugged him close.  “Such a seder I’ll prepare for you!”

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Background Information

Passover is the oldest and one the most important Jewish holidays.  In Hebrew, Passover is called “Pesach” (PEH-sock).  This holiday begins with a ritual called a seder (SAY-duhr).

Research Topic: Jewish Symbols – Menorah, Star of David, Kipa, and Tallit

Do you remember?

In Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco, when Mrs. Katz and Larnel realize that Tush left the apartment through the window, there is a candlestick with many places to put candles on it.  In the Jewish culture, this is called a menorah.  Later in the story, Mrs. Katz and Larnel are in a bakery, surrounded by many people.  Some of the bakers are wearing a tiny covering on their head, called a kipa.

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Background Information

The menorah is a very important Jewish symbol.  Another important symbol in the Jewish community is the Star of David.  There are several pieces of clothing that are important to the Jewish faith, such as a kipa or kippah (also known as a yarmulke in Yiddish, or skullcap) and a tallit.

Research Topic: Jewish Religious Practices – Kashrut (Keeping Kosher)

Do you remember?

In Mrs. Katz and Tush by Patricia Polacco, Larnel asks why Mrs. Katz uses different dishes for the seder dinner.
How come you have so many different dishes?” Larnel asked.
“Because some Jews don’t eat dairy and meat off of the same dishes,” she answered.

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Background Information

In the Jewish religion, the Torah (Jewish bible) teaches Jews how to live, such as how to treat others and how to practice justice and equality.  It also provides Jews with more specific laws, in this case, how to keep “kosher,” based on the laws of Kashrut.