Articles by Phil Bova

Bubbe Bracha

Growing up knowing one Jewish grandmother was a great privilege—knowing two was the ultimate. My great-grandmother's name was Bertha, but she came to this country from Russia with the name Bubbe Bracha (grandma prayer or blessing.) That she was to everyone who knew Bubbe Bracha. In Russia she wore many hats: rebbitzen (wife of a rabbi), midwife, arbitrator, and confidant. She was loved by all. She would give food, clothing, money, housing and whatever was needed. She was the Jewish mother Teresa. She fought for women's rights before such a thing was even imaginable. She came to this country after her husband died in Russia to live with her son. My parents rented the bottom floor of a two family house from her son, my Uncle Lester. I learned to speak Yiddish from both Jewish grandmothers, but from my Bubbe Bracha I learned the depths of Yiddishkeit. She lived to ninety-four. What a grand lady! We loved each other dearly.

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