Bubbe Brocha

Bubbe Brocha

One of the greatest women to have ever come into my life as I was growing up was my great grandmother, Bertha Nehampkin. She would have an influence on my life that would be far reaching. I recently turned seventy years old and my memories of her are still vivid.

Bubbe Brocha, along with my grandmother and mother, taught me to speak Yiddish, with a smattering of Russian thrown in.

Bubbe Brocha was always called Brocha as long as I knew her because Brocha means prayer. She was an answer to prayer for many women in her little village inSimferopel,Russia. She was a mid wife, confidant and a friend to anyone who ever needed her, men and women alike. She was a sort of Jewish Mother Theresa. She cared for the ills of everyone.

When I knew her she was in her eighties, and she lived to be almost one hundred. She lived upstairs with her son and daughter-in-law, and my parents and I lived downstairs in a large two family house. When I’d go upstairs to visit with Bubbe Brocha, she’d always remind me to bring my skull cap. That was very important,

because she’d pray with me in Yiddish. To this day I’m grateful to have learned Yiddish.

Bubbe Brocha was the matriarch of our family and I’m thrilled that I had the opportunity to know this dynamic lady.

Related Articles

More From Prose

Louie, Louie!

I loved going to my aunt Lilly’s house when I was kid to play with my cousin Al. I also liked…
Louie, Louie!

The Missing Yarmulke

Do not be afraid to stand for what you believe in. Never compromise your beliefs.
The Missing Yarmulke

God’s Care

Most of the time I prefer to write humorous, light hearted things. This time I want to write…
God’s Care

Havdalah

I’ve written in a previous article about Reuben Caplin (Ruby), my voice teacher and choral…
Havdalah

Silly George

My neighbor asked if I could watch her cats while she was away. One of her cats, George, had to…
Silly George

Barbara Gurien

Barbara Gurien was working as an ultrasound technologist when she went on a date with a Jewish…
Barbara Gurien

The Golden Retreiver

It was Sabbath and I was going to go on a walk with my mom after eating a wonderful lunch, but…
The Golden Retreiver

Angels on Duty

Donna’s husband suddenly left his family without looking back.
Angels on Duty

Forgiveness

Three years ago, a friend said something to me that hurt very deeply. I was speechless. I could…
Forgiveness

A Fishy Tale

I received a fish tank in my teens. I’m not sure if it was for my birthday or some other…
A Fishy Tale

The Request

In embarrassment and shame I slowly approached the throne of the Holy One. I keenly felt the…
The Request

Cruise Control

I am used to traveling pretty far distances for work but one thing I never really used while…
Cruise Control

Quiet Desperation

The writer and great thinker Thoreau wrote “most people lead lives of quiet desperation and go…
Quiet Desperation

The Hiding Place

In November of 1972 my parents emigrated from Israel to the United States, several months prior…
The Hiding Place

Publish the Menu module to "offcanvas" position. Here you can publish other modules as well.
Learn More.