Re: meanwhile, back at Ellis Island . . . (was robert, nfld, mail]

[Owen Davidson <owend...>]

Ah yes...  Puts me in mind of a farmer who had a rooster name of Robinson...
Called him that because he crew so...  Yes, indeed...  Recall it
distinctly...

Owen

George Robinson wrote:

> Funny story actually. First, you have to know that my family actually
> goes back pretty far in the US for a bunch of Jews from Germany and
> Russia. All four of my grandparents were born in Manhattan, which amuses
> my wife (whose bubbes and zaydes were born in Russia and didn't come
> here until they were at least school age) no end.
>
> For years and years my father would tell me that the Robinson came from
> the English branch of the family -- and in fact I do have English
> cousins, but their name is Green and like a complete schmuck I never
> questioned this little discrepancy. Then one night my wife (then of only
> a few months) and my father are shmoozing in my parents house and she
> asks, "Robinson, what kind of Jewish name is that?" and he replies,
> "Well we think it was Rabinowitz and they changed it at Ellis Island."
> I'm in the doorway when I hear this and I yell at him, "What happened to
> the English branch of the family?" He replies, "What are you talking
> about? Their name is Green."
>
> As for George, that's for my great grandfather who was also named
> George. I don't know who the Richard is for, but taken as a trio, it
> gets me some odd looks at Jewish publications where they don't know me.
> I could be worse, it could have a hyphen.
>
> I have to admit that I don't know where the Jewish music is in all this
> (although my father's brother sang professionally as a teenager).
>
> George (Gets odd looks even where they DO know him) Robinson
>
> Lori Cahan-Simon wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > George Richard Robinson (Now THERE'S a really authentic Jewish name!)
> >
> > Yeah, how did that happen?
> >
>
> --
> George Robinson
> Author, Essential Judaism
> Please visit my website, "Essential Judaism and Beyond"
> at www.GeorgeRobinson.freeservers.com
>

--
Owen Davidson
Amherst  Mass
Repair, Construction and Design of Musical Instruments

The Angel that presided oer my birth
Said Little creature formd of Joy & Mirth
Go Love without the help of any King on Earth

Wm. Blake


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