Tag Archives: Jewish

The Wealthiest Man in Town

Posted on August 23, 2009 by Neil

(Mayer Kirshenblatt’s “Purim Play: The Krakow Wedding”) (translated from the Yiddish by Neil Kramer — ok, not really) The wealthiest man in town went to the village Rabbi and said, “All my life, I worked hard. I have become rich … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish, Literary | Tagged , , | 32 Comments

Aligning the Planets

Posted on February 17, 2009 by Neil

I was returning from having a cup of coffee at the McDonald’s across the street when I encountered a white-haired elderly man who lived in my apartment building.  I didn’t remember his name, but I knew him from my youth … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish, New York City | Tagged , , | 43 Comments

Yom Kippur 2008

Posted on October 8, 2008 by Neil

I take Yom Kippur seriously. Well, somewhat. I’m not going to synagogue this year, but I will fast most of the day. Am I religious? Not really. But unlike the other Jewish holidays, which revolve around food and family, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish | Tagged , , , | 30 Comments

Jokes in Yiddish

Posted on January 14, 2008 by Neil

Humor is very important. I’d rather hear good jokes than see a naked woman in my bedroom. Of course, if the naked woman was the one telling the jokes, I wouldn’t complain. Especially if she was also carrying a corned … Continue reading →

Posted in humor, Jewish | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Yenta the Matchmaker for the Day

Posted on September 27, 2006 by Neil

  In the old-country, Jewish marriages were arranged by matchmakers.  Perhaps the most famous Jewish matchmaker was Yenta.  Yenta was the name of the matchmaker in Sholom Aleichem’s stories, several of which were collected into what became the musical “Fiddler … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging and the Internet, Jewish | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 77 Comments

Mel Gibson Requests Meeting with Neilochka!

Posted on August 2, 2006 by Neil

In a move that has taken Hollywood by surprise, Mel Gibson has requested a meeting with a Los Angeles-based blogger, Neil Kramer, the writer of the popular blog, “Citizen of the Month.” In a public statement, Mr. Gibson stated: “I … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Gossip and Celebrities, Jewish | Tagged , , , , , | 70 Comments

Be of Good Cheer

Posted on January 24, 2006 by Neil

During the summer, my father passed away.  My father’s funeral was very beautiful and dignified.  But I was disappointed.  I don’t think it captured my father’s quirky personality. Don’t get me wrong.  Everything went perfect.  Everyone was moved.   It just … Continue reading →

Posted in Life with My Parents | Tagged , , , , | 69 Comments

A Walk Around the Block

Posted on September 29, 2005 by Neil

Today was our last morning of sitting shiva.  In the Jewish tradition, at the end of the shiva, we are supposed to leave the house and walk once around the block.  None of us knew the reason for this tradition, … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish, Life with My Parents | Tagged , , , | 22 Comments

Modern Talmudic Question

Posted on September 27, 2005 by Neil

If a rabbi comes to make a shiva call and there are no available parking spaces outside so he parks "illegally" in the parking-lot of the next-door supermarket, is he required to buy something from the store or is it … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish, Life with My Parents | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Sitting Shiva

Posted on September 26, 2005 by Neil

My friend, Barry, explained to me how the Catholic wake works:  the family sits facing the open casket for a couple of days.  In the beginning, everyone is all reverent being in the presence of the deceased.  By the end, … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewish, Life with My Parents | Tagged , , , , | 45 Comments