Comments Trenton’s Jews - January 2022
Trenton’s Jews - January 2022
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Hello Art,
Thanks again for sending the most informative emails. Two items from today's links. (1) When I transferred to Trenton CHS in 1956, I was made to take another IQ test in the Guidance office alongside a young lady of Greek extraction. One of the vocabulary words on the test is to be defined as a synagogue. Of course, I defined it correctly, but she got it wrong. She told the proctor the word meant meeting-house, and of course, she was correct but wrong. (2) In 1985 when I was in Germany during my internship at the Eye Hospital in Bonn, I was befriended by a Jewish local at the city's synagogue. One day while we were looking up the areas from where the German names originated this is what he told me. Germans, not Jewish, were given the first choice to take surnames at a monetary cost. Of course, the best or nicest were taken at a graduated higher cost. The Jews were then given the names that remained along with the profession-associated names. My only family name that was not listed in his book was Tractenberg. The closest that we could come up with would be Dractenberg, meaning Dragonmountain, not too nice a name. However, I do know a Jewish family named Dragon. I was also told the original meaning of berg was the castle on the top of the mountain, somehow taking on the name of the mountain itself.
-----Trenton Deli’’s
Hi,
I grew up in New Hope, PA in the 1940s and 1950s.
I fondly remember my father traveling to Trenton to pick up lox, herring, sturgeon. It was such a treat.
Would have any idea of where he went? And a photo?
Thanks so very much, Herb Chasan
Weinstein's next door. Charlie and Katie Rudnick!
| Feb 4, 2022, 7:24 PM (20 hours ago) |
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Arthur,
I am a childhood friend of your cousin Howard who has provided me your email address. I recently read your book " Trenton's Jews" ; I found it quite interesting. Surprised to learn that Nat Popkin was your uncle. My writing to you, however, was prompted by your section on Jewish Congregations in Trenton. For over 40 years, I have had a document which my father left me. It is a certificate of incorporation from the Mercer County Clerk's Office for the Sons of Jacob Church.
It is dated May 20, 1897 and signed by five individuals including my grandfather Max Popkin. Your review does not mention the Sons of Jacob, but does include Congregation People of Truth. I have another document which indicates that Max belonged to People of Truth for many years. I also am aware that early members of my family are buried in the People of Truth cemetery on Pitman Avenue off Cedar Lane. I am hoping that you may know more about the Sons of Jacob and whether they merged with People of Truth....I am also forwarding photos of the certificate of incorporation and a photo of Max Popkin with his horse and wagon.
Donald Goldmann, Sidney's son, is also a childhood friend and I found your bio of Sidney quite instructive.
With best wishes,
Michael K. Popkin M.D.
I do have the original of this somewhere - copy is not real good. I was told that we were related to the Siris family but never was able to find out "how".
I do have the original of this somewhere - copy is not real good. I was told that we were related to the Siris family but never was able to find out "how".
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Hello Art,
Thanks again for sending the most informative emails. Two items from today's links. (1) When I transferred to Trenton CHS in 1956, I was made to take another IQ test in the Guidance office alongside a young lady of Greek extraction. One of the vocabulary words on the test is to be defined as a synagogue. Of course, I defined it correctly, but she got it wrong. She told the proctor the word meant meeting-house, and of course, she was correct but wrong. (2) In 1985 when I was in Germany during my internship at the Eye Hospital in Bonn, I was befriended by a Jewish local at the city's synagogue. One day while we were looking up the areas from where the German names originated this is what he told me. Germans, not Jewish, were given the first choice to take surnames at a monetary cost. Of course, the best or nicest were taken at a graduated higher cost. The Jews were then given the names that remained along with the profession-associated names. My only family name that was not listed in his book was Tractenberg. The closest that we could come up with would be Dractenberg, meaning Dragonmountain, not too nice a name. However, I do know a Jewish family named Dragon. I was also told the original meaning of berg was the castle on the top of the mountain, somehow taking on the name of the mountain itself.
-----Trenton Deli’’s
Hi,
I grew up in New Hope, PA in the 1940s and 1950s.
I fondly remember my father traveling to Trenton to pick up lox, herring, sturgeon. It was such a treat.
Would have any idea of where he went? And a photo?
Thanks so very much, Herb Chasan
Weinstein's next door. Charlie and Katie Rudnick!
| Feb 4, 2022, 7:24 PM (20 hours ago) |
| ||
| ||||
Arthur,
I am a childhood friend of your cousin Howard who has provided me your email address. I recently read your book " Trenton's Jews" ; I found it quite interesting. Surprised to learn that Nat Popkin was your uncle. My writing to you, however, was prompted by your section on Jewish Congregations in Trenton. For over 40 years, I have had a document which my father left me. It is a certificate of incorporation from the Mercer County Clerk's Office for the Sons of Jacob Church.
It is dated May 20, 1897 and signed by five individuals including my grandfather Max Popkin. Your review does not mention the Sons of Jacob, but does include Congregation People of Truth. I have another document which indicates that Max belonged to People of Truth for many years. I also am aware that early members of my family are buried in the People of Truth cemetery on Pitman Avenue off Cedar Lane. I am hoping that you may know more about the Sons of Jacob and whether they merged with People of Truth....I am also forwarding photos of the certificate of incorporation and a photo of Max Popkin with his horse and wagon.
Donald Goldmann, Sidney's son, is also a childhood friend and I found your bio of Sidney quite instructive.
With best wishes,
Michael K. Popkin M.D.
I do have the original of this somewhere - copy is not real good. I was told that we were related to the Siris family but never was able to find out "how".
I do have the original of this somewhere - copy is not real good. I was told that we were related to the Siris family but never was able to find out "how".
Jacob Herman Siris worked as a grocer & lived at 539 Perry St in Trenton circa 1920’s. He’s my great grandfather’s brother.
Rob Siris never ceases to amaze me what a truly small world we live in. My mother at some point lived at 614 Perry Street (Edna Finkle -not related to the department store Finkles)
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