BE "FRAYNDLEKH"* TO EDITORS AND WRITERS MONTH

*In Yiddish, the word "frayndlekh" means to be kind

by
Marjorie Gottlieb Wolfe

Syosset, New York Each September we celebrate "Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month."  Purpose:  A time for editors and writers to show uncommon "heflekhayt" (courtesy) toward each other.

In my "fertsik" (40) years of free-lance writing, usually undisturbed in solitary splendor, editors, other writers, readers, "mishpokhe" (family) and friends, have judged my work with tact, empathy, and sometimes flattery.

In a conversation with Mike Lipstock of Jericho, New York, another writer, he shared a letter of apology that he received from Midstream "zhurnal" (magazine).  It seems that someone committed the egregious error of leaving out his "nomen" (name) on the cover of its issue.  (The typesetter for that issue typed over an existing template for the cover and inadvertently did not remove the name already in place.  An erratum appeared in the next issue.)

No one was ever as "paskudne" (nasty) to me as Groucho Marx was when he wrote to author S. J. Perelman about his first book, "Dawn Ginsbergh's Revenge."  He wrote, "From the moment I picked up your book until I laid it down, I was convulsed with laughter.  Some day I intend reading it."

Samuel Johnson, writer, critic, and lexicographer said [on writers,  would be writers], "Your manuscript is both good and original; but the part that is good is not original, and the part that is original is not good."

And Adlai Stevenson wrote [on Editors, Usefulness of], "An editor is one who separates the wheat from the chaff and prints the chaff."

During the early '80s, while writing for a publication named BIZ, an editor referred to me as a Renaissance person; I took that as a "kompliment."  (Yiddish spelling)

Over the years I've learned never to become discouraged.  I hang letters of praise on "der fridzhider" (the refrigerator) right next to my grandchildrens' art work. Form letters of rejection go in the "circular file."  Following the advice of H. Jackson Brown, I consider rejection lack of "fantazye" (imagination) on their part.

I read carefully any contracts that require my signature and try to remember that the "groys" (big) print giveth and the "kleyn" (small) print taketh away.

My readers are invited to share some of the correspondence that I've received since 1971,

Dear Ms. Wolfe,
     I have tried to reach you by phone several times, but I keep getting a busy signal.
     Actually, I had to wait until I stopped laughing to dial the phone.
     We will use your very funny article in the Thanksgiving issue - but not in the Emunah section.
                      Naomi Mauer
                      The Jewish Press
                       11/11/98

Dear Marjorie:
     Thanks for your submission.  Unfortunately, our readers don't take kindly to humor.  The typical response when
we've tried publishing something funny is,
"I'm not spending $3.95 to be entertained;
I need a job."
    With that in mind, feel free to send a
column for our From My Perspective
section that relates to job-search tips
and career guidance.  At least within the
parameters of that column, humor mixed
with practical advice is welcome.
     Sincerely,
     Tony Lee
     National Business Employment Weekly
     5/6/94

Dear Marjorie,
     The piece was terrific!  We all enjoyed it."
       Best,
       Jane Gitlin
       The Women's Record
       Sept. 7, 1989

Dear Marjorie,
     Enclosed is a check for your "Back-to-School Vocabulary List."  We apologize for the typo in your name."
       Debra Reilly, Editor
       Island Kids & Parents

Dear Ms Wolfe,
      Thank you for submitting your piece,
"Yiddish S.A.T. Type Test."  Due to persistent
budget constraints, we....
        Karen Ann Bagnini
        The Book Peddler

Dear Contributor:
     Thank you for submitting your manuscript to Palm Beach Jewish World.
This is well-done, but we don't want to give
"Grandparents Day" any help.
       David Rittner
       Associate Editor

Dear Marjorie,
     Many thanks for your note and article on "The Passover Effect."  Ideas too scattered for use in our publication.  But
perhaps you can try one dealing with the positive effects of having an older person have some event to look forward to,
something that gives meaning to life--in spite of all the health problems, illnesses, slowing down, etc.
        Carol Abaya
        The Sandwich Generation

Writer's comment:
(How about a "B-A-R-K  Mitzvah" for the family dog?)

Dear Ms. W olfe:
     Re:  Trivia Quiz on Gen. Patton, Jr.
     General Patton never carried Pearl- handled pistols; they were Ivory-handled 45 cal. Frontier model Revolvers.  He
believed that Pearl-handled pistols would only be carried by those in a less inferior form of self-employment.
         Andrew J. Phillips, Jr.

Dear Ms. Wolfe,
     The Prince and Princess of Wales have asked me to send you their warmest thanks for your kind message of good wishes you kindly sent on the occasion of their son, Prince Henry.
     Their Royal Highnesses were most touched by your thoughtfullness in writing at this time and ask me to send you their sincerest thanks and best wishes.
       Lainnia Baring
       The Hon. Mrs. Vivian Barine

Dear Marjorie,
     I'd like to see more political humor from you.  This piece, though, did not really have the tone of very Slick Times--similar to that "Hey, this could be true!"
        Ken Gammage
        Slick Times

Dear Mrs. Wolfe:
     What a delight to read your tribute to your father.  (He sounds wonderful!)  Thanks for sharing this event with me.
       Sincerely,
       Eda LeShan
       Woman's Day and New York Newsday

Dear Mrs. Wolfe,
     Thank you for your article titled, "If You Knew Sushi Like I Know Sushi."  I'm happy to inform you that it has been selected for publication.  You will note that the title of the article was changed to "Product Quiz" - New (And Not So New).
       Howard Bernard, Editor
       Super Shopper

Dear Marjorie,
     Thanks for your fashion piece.  A discussion of the loquacious commentator, Rush Limbaugh's "Power Ties" has already been covered in a previous issue.  Yes, I'm familiar with "BrooksBros.-ophobia"--a Mollie Fermaglich fear that the floppy tie you're wearing makes you look more like Soupy Sales than Smith Barney.  Keep in touch.
         Unnamed editor

Dear Mom:
     Re:  piece about "Sex and the City"

     This is one of the more insightful pieces I have read from you.  I find it hard to believe that you watched as many episodes as you did.  The analogies between the Jewish terms and SATC were great.  On another note, I found it funny that Rabbis had potentially watched full episodes of SATC to see how they might be offended. I myself have watched the show on many occasions, and found it hard to believe that the same people who can address 2500 people with a sermon, could watch a show based on sex, women's views, and a sense of crudeness that I sometimes find shocking.  That being said, I believe that people always have the right to change the channel and I do believe the show won at least 1 emmy for the best comedy.  Are the Rabbis connecting with their people, or showing the generational differences between them and the younger people who attend services and still love the show? This is like the Sopranos, in the sense that it is a "water cooler show," which says something about its popularity.  Obviously, you do know this because you chose not only to watch it, but write about it. I respect that you did...Keep sending the articles, I do love getting them.  Keep up the good work.  Talk to you soon.
              Love,
              Dan

______________________________________
Marjorie's favorite quote:
"Of all the Merry Christmas cards, This was the cutest quip. "Merry Christmas" from an editor On a rejection slip!
          Leverett Lyon

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___________________________________________
Marjorie Gottlieb Wolfe is the author of
two books:

"Yiddish for Dog & Cat Lovers" and
"Are Yentas, Kibitzers, & Tummlers Weapons of Mass Instruction?  Yiddish
Trivia."  To order a copy, go to her
website: MarjorieGottliebWolfe.com

NU, what are you waiting for?  Order the book!