Joys of Jewish Folklore: From New Amsterdam to Beverly Hills and Beyond

Joys of Jewish Folklore introduces us to the first American-Jewish aviator, the rope-skipping “Jewish Indian,” the “Bronx Bomber” who would not play ball on Yom Kippur, John Brown’s Jewish soldiers, and hundreds more intriguing characters from the world of contemporary Jewish folklore. David Max Eichhorn, noted American-Jewish historian, recounts the most unusual and interesting episodes of contemporary life in which Jews have played a prominent role. Among the gems of folklore included in this unique treasury are:
-“JFK and the Hassidic Rebbe”
-“I Remember Jewish Harlem”
-“The East Side’s Favorite Sport—Haggling”
- “The Catskills: Land of Milk and Money”
-“Some of Our Best Synagogues Are Churches”
-“The Pistol-Packing Rabbi”

In these wonderful vignettes, not only do we meet a variety of fascinating individuals—some amusing, some reflective, some sobering—but also learn about their neighborhoods, their business enterprises, their attitudes, their lifestyles. Joys of Jewish Folklore is moving, inspiring, and entertaining. This title, originally published in 1981, is available on-demand only.

In 1931, Hebrew Union College, in Cincinnati, Ohio, bestowed upon David Max Eichhorn the title of rabbi. He was later awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree and an honorary Doctor of Hebrew Letters degree. During World War II, Dr. Eichhorn served in Europe as a combat chaplain and was decorated for his efforts on the field of battle and in the liberated concentration camps of Germany and Austria. From December 1, 1945 to December 1, 1968, he served as Director of Field Operations of the Commission on Jewish Chaplaincy of the National Jewish Welfare Board. Dr. Eichhorn subsequently served as spiritual leader of Temple Israel, Merritt Island, Florida, and as Jewish civilian chaplain for the Kennedy Space Center complex. He was a frequent contributor to American Jewish periodicals and authored a variety of books.