Monday, December 5, 2011

A Christmas Poem for Jews

It's not a great poem, but I think it may express some of the Christmas fatigue that Jews endure with Christmas trees, Christmas music, Christmas gifts, Christmas decorations, and Christmas cards throughout the season. Even Santa looks a little fatigued.


It's particularly impressive that this card sent to Albert Kinziger in Utica, New York, was actually postmarked on December 25th.

The message reads:

Here's to you, you lucky Jew. 
Churp up - smoke up
and drink up dew. For they'll all help
to pull your sorrows thro'.
Don't sigh and cry like a boy in blue
But go to bed and 
 dream it's all true.

Will see you soon "a lost Friend"

Of course I had to look for Albert Kinziger to find out who he was. I found an Albert Kinziger who died from being hit in the head with a hammer in 1943 or 44, but (thankfully) he was born in 1896, so I think he couldn't be our Albert. Our Albert had to be born earlier than that to receive a card like this in 1908. Instead, I think our Albert was born in 1871 and died (far too young) in 1929. If so, he is buried in New Forest Cemetery.
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12 comments:

  1. L. D. December 5, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    In the old days down here a letter went by train and it could be sent in one town and they immediately dropped it off at the next town. It is a wonderful card.

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  2. JanineDecember 5, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    HAHAHA, das ist reine Poesie ;0)

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  3. Brian PaperSpongeDecember 5, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    The postcard is beautiful, but I have to agree that Santa looks pretty tired.

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  4. Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.comDecember 5, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Funny! I think we ALL get tired of Christmas now....

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  5. Plush Possum StudioDecember 5, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    What a great story! Especially of interest is how you researched the card's recipient's history---along with he unusual postmark.
    I'd buy your book on the subject of these postcards, if one was offered up for sale!
    Thanks again for great reading!
    Rose

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  6. AnnDecember 5, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    great postcard..the back is fabulous!

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  7. Archie TechtDecember 5, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    The poem is amusing, but the front is really the treat- Santa with a black halo, loosening up and tossing a few back amidst all that color and glittering embossing!

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  8. Clipping PathDecember 5, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    what a gr8 job u've done :)
    thanks for sharing..

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  9. Karen S.December 6, 2011 at 3:27 AM

    Oh I'm not so sure that he is our real Santa! This is a charming delightful card, and hoping the receiver found it cheery as well....how lucky they were to have such fun mail....

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  10. LindaDecember 6, 2011 at 5:54 AM

    Santa kicking back with a cocktail, why not? I'm fascinated (many times repulsed) with early 20th cent. ethnic and racial humor, when immigration to U.S. was at a peak. I would've picked up this postcard in a heartbeat for the poem alone.

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  11. Aimee DarsDecember 8, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    What a great message!

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  12. PostcardyDecember 11, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    I love that card, and I usually don't find Santa postcards very appealing.

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