Being Jewish in America - Hester Street (1975)

Comments · 305

• PA

  @paulfreedman7193 · 1 year ago

  Hi David, My name is Paul Freedman, and I was the actor who played Yossele/Joey in the film. I was 6 yrs old and the casting director was a parent of another child at my school in NYC. She thought I looked kinda' like Carol Kane and brought me to Joan Silver for my audition. I am an educator now living near Seattle. I just wanted to thank you for sharing this important film with your viewers. This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of its release. As far as I know, Carol and I are the only ones left from the cast. Sadly we lost Joan just a few years ago - she was writing an autobiography at the time - don't think she ever completed it. But it was groundbreaking, and she was a true pioneer as a female director. Many interesting behind the scenes stories about the making and distribution of Hester Street. Anyway, I'm glad that maybe a few of your viewers will track it down and take the time to see it and absorb some of its themes and messages. Congratulations on the success of your channel.

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• CY

  @cynthialeeser7952 · 2 years ago

  I’m not Jewish. I identify more with Gitl.  I am first generation Albanian, but my mother was more like Jake.  My father wanted us to learn Albanian, but my mother said no, we’re American now.  My dad told me this when I asked why we didn’t grow up learning it. I didn’t learn their traditions either.  I wish we did.  My parents weren’t like Jake as far as chasing money. They were very conservative and good. My parents came over in the early 30’s. I appreciate this movie. It was beautiful and well done. Thank you for reviewing and explaining it.❤

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• LE

  @leamilgraum7294 · 2 years ago

  I’m clearly with Gittel. It’s not just “tradition “, it’s all the values of the Torah that she carries in her heart that are very precious that she stands for.

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• SH

  @shanegooding4839 · 2 years ago

  Carol Kane is a treasure.😊

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• LI

  @lisaschuster686 · 1 year ago

  My Dad was born in Manhattan to a one-bedroom apartment. The milk was delivered by horse and wagon AND HE’S STILL ALIVE. His parents ended up in a mansion. 100 years is NOTHING.

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• DR

  @dragonvliss2426 · 2 years ago

  I am not Jewish either, but my grandmother came over from the Ukraine in 1903 from a German-speaking peasant village, and never really mastered English, so I can relate.   The man I most admire in the world was Jewish ( dead now ) whose grandparents came over to American from Czarist Russia just before the First World War.  He respected his heritage and taught me a lot about being Jewish.  One of the greatest regrets of his life as that his father changed his Jewish surname to an American ( or rather British ) one, and it says a lot about being Jewish in America that it happened, and that my Jewish friend regretted it so much.

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• KA

  @kathleenjordan6875 · 1 year ago

  One of my favorite movies…I’ve seen it many times. What a little gem! Thank you for showing it.

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• YU

  @yudakrelin6461 · 2 years ago (edited)

  "Watching 'Hester Street (1975)' reminded me of the timeless challenge many face: balancing tradition and modern life. Set in the Lower East Side, the film offers different viewpoints on this struggle, making it relatable and thought-provoking. A classic worth revisiting!"

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• AB

  @AbrahamsBridges · 1 year ago

  I have discovered that I have Jewish heritage. On my mother’s side, my ancestors were Sephardic Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism, but later became French Huguenots. They assimilated into the Protestant faith. On my father’s side, I also have Jewish heritage through my great-great grandmother, who was an immigrant to New Orleans. She chose to assimilate. <br><br>My husband’s family is from Mexico, and he grew up Catholic. But he has Ashkenazi and Sephardic heritage on both sides. <br><br>How we wish our ancestors were able to preserve that path for us. Today, we find ourselves choosing Judaism and going through the process of conversion.

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• PA

  @Paddysavage4738 · 1 year ago

  My wife’s grandfather was a Schooler. He landed in Ellis Island like millions of other Jewish Immigrants from Russia/Ukraine with his wife and Children and proceeded to travel to Toronto Canada around 1860. He was involved in building the first Synagogue in the initial Jewish area Boarded by Queen, Yonge and the Kensington area. Yes, the live Chicken and other traditional Jewish fresh food was typical of what you would find in Europe and even London. The life style was much better than the Lower East Side. Life in Toronto was much better than the Lower East Side by far. There again so was Brooklyn and Queens. While the Home was Orthodox in every respect, the Children all followed traditional Jewish life styles as Reform they were not compelled to remain Orthodox. The language at home was a mixture of Yiddish, Russian, Hebrew, and English. They helped form Holy Blossom Temple, which is of course Reform. The family is spread from Toronto, to NY, Florida, LA and Australia, however, the home ground is still Toronto and the name the same, however, wife’s family on her father’s side came from Austria around 1890 and had their family name changed by the American Immigration before leaving Ellis Island for Toronto Canada. Everyone in the line had their name changed to exactly the same name. The name the Immigration Officer changed it to was much easier then the real family name.

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• MY

  @mygoldennotebook2191 · 2 years ago

  Mit eyn tokhes ken men nit tantsn af tsvey khasenes. &quot;You can&apos;t dance at two weddings with one tuchus.&quot; &nbsp;My favorite quote from this movie.

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• JO

  @jonathanfarrell2378 · 2 years ago

  This film is special. It has faint similarities to “Fiddler on The Roof” and “Yentl.” Yet, this movie focuses on the impact that modernity had upon traditional societies. And the obstacles that immigrants had to face and survive. Thanks for posting this! 😊

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