Readers Report
I was born in Brownsville, Beth-El Hospital, and lived at 545 Powell Street. I also lived at 61-71 Riverdale Avenue in the 50s. My memories are full of a vivid, colorful life in the Jewish ghetto, one foot in America and one foot in the shtetl. Because we moved around a lot, I went to P.S. 184, 144, and 183. I attended Arthur S. Somers Jr. High School (P.S. 252), and graduated from Tilden High School in 1957, a year ahead of schedule. I remember Linden Terrace, the Brooklyn Museum, Botanical Gardens, Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Library, and so much more. I speak Yiddish, although I've lost a lot, not having lived in New York for many years. I miss bialys, Nathan's hot dogs, and New York Pizza. I can get Fox's U-Bet Chocolate Syrup in Chicago, but only at Passover. These mishugene midwesterners think that it's a peysedike maykhl. I have so many happy memories of growing up in Brooklyn.
11 March 1999
My Brooklyn was as a little boy in the fifties. I lived on Atlantic and Buffalo Avenues and can remember sleeping at my grandparents' house around the corner on Herkimer and Buffalo. In the morning we would go to the corner to Molly Fitzpatrick's deli and get the rolls.
My grandfather worked for Lieb & Buchalter plumbing supplies and sometimes we would go to their yard on Atlantic Avenue and grandpa would lift my brother and me (on a skid) with the hi-lo, up to the loft. That was great adventure. I also remember walking with my father to Eastern Parkway where we would bring some bird seed to feed the birds.
Sometimes we would stop by Lincoln Terrace Park otherwise known as "Kitzel" park. Unfortunately we moved so being so young at the time, I don't have memories of kitzels at the park. I live in SC now. You can't get those rolls or bagels or even a good pizza pie. It's a shame that things must change but I'll never forget Brooklyn.
Jack Wilson's web site
13 March 1999
Did you live on President St.? I lived at that address for approx. 20 years and moved out about 43 years ago. I attended P.S. 241 when Mrs. Kane was principal. I spent many hours playing ball in the schoolyard. By the way the candy store on the corner of Franklin Ave. and President St. was known as Grouchy Sam's. When time permits I will write again.
14 March 1999
My brooklyn is ENY. I grew up on Hegeman and Pennsylvania Avenue above the butcher across from Jack's candy store: 540 Hegeman. My father Saul Purvin was a lawyer with an office on 475 Alabama Avenue. He had four brothers and two sisters, Bennie, Samy, Gershie, Teddy and Sarah and Rosie Purvin. My memories are stickball at the P.S. 213 field, Going to the stamp guy on New Jersey and New Lots, the New Lots Talmud Torah, Nino's pizzeria, the Biltmore Theater, the New Lots Boys, going to Gershwin J.H.S. with my friends Evan Kleinberg, Jackie Cohen, my blood brother Billie Kichetshkie. Maybe somebody is still around knows my brother Alfred Purvin. My mother, Sylvia Masey Purvin went to Eastern District High School with her brother Jack Masey from 213 Hart Street. My heart aches from the pain of it all. But I have great memories also. Sitting on the stoop with my friends, snow storms, the Williamsburg Savings Bank, the diner on Atlantic and Pennsylvania; skelly, stickball, etc. Remember sitting on the roof of 540 Hegeman and watching the traffic on Linden Boulevard and going to the food fair on Linden and New Jersey. Mrs. Schwartz, my third grade teacher at P.S. 213. Any one knows the Purvins or Maseys feel free to contact me.
15 March 1999
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