  
|
|
|
I am the mother of three adult sons. My eldest son, Matthew, is 47 years of age. He's married, has two children, one going off to college, and a full-time student studying to become a physical therapist assistant. He was previously in a family business--a packaging supplies firm--that is no longer in operation.
When I think about the world of work, I recall a letter from the "bukh," "A Bintel Brief," edited by Isaac Metzker:
1932
Worthy Editor,
Though I am only a simple tailor, my mind
is not occupied with scissors and needle. I
also like to read, to learn, and I have great
respect for educted people. I am a man of
middle age with grown children, and I have been a reader of your newspaper [The
Forward] for the last twenty years.
All my life I strove to give my children a good upbringing because I wanted them to be serious, educated people. And I am now appealing to you for advice about one son who will soon finish high school. My son distinguished himself in chemistry all through high school and got the highest marks in that subject. He is absorbed in it with all his heart and soul. He studies day and night, carries on experiments, and never gets tired.
This pleases me very much, because when someone studies a subject he loves, he can, in time, achieve something and maybe even become great in that field. Who knows? But in spite of this joy I'm unhappy. Why? Because I read in the Jewish newspapers that in this profession there is no future for Jewish graduates. I read that a graduate chemist cannot get a position in a large firm if he is a Jew.
I didn't want to believe that in America, in such a free land, it was really so. But recently I met a graduate, a Jewish chemist and he confirmed that what I read was true.
As yet there are no large Jewish firms that hire chemists, and among the non-Jewish firms there is a sort of understanding to keep Jews out of this profession which has a great future.
I don't expect you to be able to help me but I think you might be better acquainted with the situation and you can advise me whether I should let my son continue his studies in this field. Maybe I should make my son a tailor.
I thank you in advance for printing my
letter and for your answer.
Your reader,
S.G.
ANSWER:
We maintain that your son should study
the profession in which he is so strongly
interested. In spite of all difficulties, he
will, in time, find his way in life.
F-a-s-t forward to 1999. Judge Judy Sheindlin wrote a book titled, "Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever" (Cliff Street Books, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers). Read it; it's "vunderlekh!"
Chapter 4 is titled, "Master The Game---
Then Play It." Sheindlin writes, "There is
always a new opportunity waiting in the
wings. I think one of the most destructive
concepts we communicate to ourselves and
to our children is that every person has one
("eyns" in Yiddish) career, one chance, one
make-or-break opportunity. We ask our
kids ("kinder") when they are barely past
puberty, 'What are you going to be?'
Judge Judy continues, "If you go into sales ("farkoyfer") and you're lousy at it, you can change course. People find themselves in the wrong game all the time...It doesn't mean they're stuck with it..."
Yes, once our child/children discover what they enjoy ("hanoe hobn fun"), or what they're good at, it just becomes a matter of preparing for the job. "Nakht" (Night) school, online courses, internships with little or no pay, is what it may take to realize your dreams.
Judge Judy adds: "Life can be an adventure or a chore. If you stay in a profession or a job that doesn't challenge and excite you because you're accustomed to it, you're selling yourself short
There's no cap on success ("hatslokhe").
The jury stays out till you take your last
breath ("otem")."
A final Judge Judy story about knowing your worth and, more important, letting others know your worth.
"The first week I was taping the show [Judge Judy], a stunningly handsome young man was assigned to oversee my first photo session. Meticulously coiffed and wearing a silk suit and custom-made shoes, he was just beautifully turned out. He came up to me and said, 'Judy, I want you to put yourself completely in my hands.'
For some reason, this struck me as hilarious. 'Honey,' I told him, 'I've got food in my refrigerator that's older than you.'
The expression on his face was priceless.
He fled. I never saw him again...."
Good luck, Matthew. Study hard, become a top-notch physical therapist.....and take care of my "shlekht" (bad) knees!
Love,
Mom
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
| N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z |
| Yiddish
Stuff Jewish Humor Schmooze News More Majorie Wolfe |
Principle Jewish Stories All Things Jewish Jewish Communities of the World |