October 28, 1918, the Forverts published what is likely their first rabbinic pronouncement on the influenza epidemic. Written by New York’s Chief of the Rabbinic Courts, Rabbi Gavriel Zev Margolis, it could be found above the fold, technically speaking, but on the very last page of the secular Yiddish Forverts. The informal, chatty headline made…
Healthcare was similarly overloaded during the 1918 influenza as it is today during the coronavirus epidemic, as seen in this article originally published in the Forverts 11/6/1918. Yente Serdatsky, a staff writer at the Forverts, was a contentious figure known for her stories, novellas, and dramatic sketches. Here, she uses her descriptive talents to paint…
On October 6th, 1918, the Forverts published NYC’s health commissioner’s latest rules to help stop the spread of influenza. All stores except for groceries were ordered to close no later than four pm. The Forverts, likely aware of skeptic LES locals — new immigrants and do-geboyrene (American born) folks alike — emphasized this decision was…
Reading the Forverts in 1918 you’d be forgiven for thinking revolution—rather than an influenza pandemic—was in the air. In June they thrilled to America’s military victory over Germany due to the spread of flu among Germany’s soldiers, not realizing it would make its way here, a viral passenger along for the ride with soldiers returning…
“So much happened in that time. My dad was really a great guy — I guess you could say, in the end, that he was a salesman. “ This is a love story from another time, a saga that transcends borders. Our tale begins in Poland, where Harry Korniarski was born, and winds its way…
Editor’s Note: During the Peekskill riots, in late August, 1949, a violent KKK and fascist mob attacked attendees of a planned concert by Paul Robeson in Westchester County, New York. The violence spread outward, and a number of black and Jewish residents of New York City and Westchester were injured. The following is a translation…
What follows is a front-page story published in the Forverts on May 15, 1902, the day thousands of women took to the streets of the Lower East Side of Manhattan to boycott the price of meat. Within a week the strike spread across the country; by June 9 the price of meat had dropped. Brava,…
Originally published in the Forverts, December 23, 1911 Isaac Harris, forced to give evidence on the witness stand, said that there had been five fires in the Triangle shop, and that he had given instructions to inspect the girls’ pocketbooks. Witnesses forget what they said right after the fire: Isaac Harris, from 342 W. 101st…
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