by Yussel's Place Judaica & Jewish Gifts
No one believes New York is not the center of the universe more than Jewish New Yorkers. Every borough has either birthed or nurtured thousands of prominent Jews in every imaginable field of endeavor from arts to science, politics, popular culture and business. Here is our list of men and women who have made their mark on not only a great city, but our nation and the world.
MORDECAI MANUEL NOAH (1785-1851) - Although born in Philadelphia, Mordecai Noah was the most influential Jew in the early 19th century. He was not only a journalist, playwright, diplomat, lawyer, court of appeals judge, port of New York surveyor, a major in the New York military, he was also one of the founders of New York University. It was Noah’s persistence that realized a Jewish hospital, Mt. Sinai which came to fruition after his death.
EDWARD I. KOCH (1924-2013) was the consummate New Yorker. Born in the Bronx but raised in New Jersey. Upon the family’s return to Brooklyn, he attended City College in Manhattan. He was drafted to serve in WWII and then returned to New York to attend NYU Law School. “Hi, how am I doing?” was Koch’s by-words during his political life. As New York’s number 1 fan, Koch will be remembered for many things—his temper, outspokenness, financial savvy during the disastrous 1970’s and his gruffness in dismissing questions about his sexual preferences. In a “NY77” documentary Koch addressed the rumors in his classic style – “There were lots of people who believed I was gay, and voted for me, and lots of people who didn’t believe I was gay who voted for me. Most people didn’t care, and my attitude was f*** ‘em.”
EMMA LAZARUS (1849-1887) – Born in New York City to a Sephardic family who had been settled in New York since colonial times, she was one of the first successful Jewish American authors who was part of the late nineteenth century New York literary elite. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore” is taken from her sonnet “The New Colossus” which was her best known contribution to mainstream American literature and culture. This poem has contributed to the belief that America means opportunity and freedom for Jews, as well as for other “huddled masses.” Through this celebration of the “other”, Lazarus conveyed her deepest loyalty to the best of both America and Judaism. This sonnet is carved into the base of the Statue of Liberty forever greeting those entering New York’s harbor.
SANDY KOUFAX (1935-) Baseball Hall of Fame great. Sandy Koufax was born Sanford Braun in Brooklyn, NY, He attended Lafayette High School in Brooklyn then Columbia University in Manhattan. His entire baseball career was playing for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 to 1966. Koufax was the youngest player ever to be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. His decision not to pitch Game One of the 1965 World Series because that game day fell on Yom Kippur, although controversial, gained national attention for his religious convictions and loyalty to Jewish tradition.
MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG (1942-) Although born in Boston, this self-made entrepreneur, philanthropist, and politician served three terms as mayor of New York City during a critical period in history. Beginning his term as the rescue and recovery operation of the post World Trade Center site was still smoldering, Bloomberg helped rally a grieving city. Under his leadership, New York City was ranked the safest big city in the nation with historic success in cutting crime. As a $1.00 a year salaried mayor, Michael Bloomberg transformed the way New Yorkers experienced political leadership. Clearly for Mike Bloomberg, this was a labor of love for his adopted city.
ESTEE LAUDER 1906-2004) Estee Lauder’s rise in the world of business is a classic New York story. Born to immigrant Hungarian Jewish parents in 1906, Lauder was raised in Queens and launched her cosmetics empire from her collaboration with her chemist uncle whose laboratory produced her first face cream product. Partnering with her husband Joseph, the Lauder product name became a standard for quality in the beauty business.
ELENA KAGAN (1960-) Supreme Court Associate Justice Elena Kagan was born in Manhattan and lived on the Upper West Side. She was the first female dean of Harvard Law School as well as the first female to serve as solicitor general of the United States of America. She continues to be a Mets fan.
RALPH LAUREN (1939-) Born in the Bronx as Ralph Lifshitz, Ralph Lauren is not only an iconic fashion designer, having created the Polo by Ralph Lauren label, but philanthropist and exotic car collector as well. He attended MTA – which was then called the Marsha Stern Talmud Academy and graduated DeWitt Clinton High School then Baruch College (part of the CUNY system). The last name is pronounced like the girl’s name Lauren not like the Italian actress Sophia (Lo-wren).
FRAN DRESCHER - Born in Flushing, Queens, New York in 1957, Francine Joy “Fran” Drescher is an American film and television comedian, model, actress, producer ordained minister and activist. Her nasally New Yawk accent was perfected during her role as the Nanny. In addition to her acting talents, Ms. Drescher is the author of “Enter Whining” and “Cancer Schmancer.” Fran Drescher has been described as a “Russell—comic timing of Rasalind Russell, curves of Jane Russell, and the tenacity of a Jack Russell.”
BELLA ABZUG (1920-1998) – Bella Abzug, born in New York City was reared in the Bronx and then represented the West Side of Manhattan in Congress. Her undergraduate degree was from Hunter College and her law degree was from Columbia University. She was a feminist and activist. and spent a great amount of time campaigning for women’s rights. Abzug was a “women’s libber” even as a young girl of 13. When her father died, she was told that her Orthodox synagogue did not permit women to say the Mourner’s Prayer (Kaddish) since that rite is reserved for sons of the deceased. Because there was no male son, she went to the synagogue every morning for 11 months to recite the prayer—defying the tradition of her Orthodox congregation. Bella Abzug helped pave the way for women to be counted as part of the quorum in Reform and Conservative congregations and be able to honor deceased family members by reciting the Kaddish.
Yussel's Place is your online source for Judaica gifts, Jewish wedding gifts, bar mitzvah gifts, Jewish holiday gifts, as well as art from the top Judaica designers in the world. With over 40 years of combined merchandising experience, you will find the most comprehensive selection of mezuzot, books, ketubot, tallitot, framed art and other fine Judaica. If you are looking for excellent service and selection, Yussel's Place is the place.