The 40s, 50s, and 60s
David Pacific
By Sheila G.W.
Do you need anything? Baked goods, meat, deli, live chickens, produce, pharmaceuticals, dairy products, fish, electrical equipment, hardware, plumbing supply, beverages, toys, furniture, to do some illegal gambling...the Sunday Blue Laws were not followed on Joseph Avenue. The stores were closed on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. All the stores are crowded with people, they come from other neighborhoods. They speak so many different languages, including broken English. The merchants understand their gestures!
Joseph Avenue was alive with commerce every day but Saturday; however, Saturday was filled with activity, too. About nineteen synagogues were busy with their twice-a-day services in the morning and at sundown. They had services every day.
Can you hear bells? Oh, #9 school, St. Michael's, Holy Redeemer, and more are calling their people.
Want to do something that will help gain skills, keep the kids busy, bring fun, or see your friends? Go to the Baden Street settlement! Always something going there!
Walk down the Avenue and you will meet someone you know. Kids will be playing baseball and basketball on the street. People will be going into and out of each other's homes without calling ahead first. Want to learn how to speak Yiddish? Go to the Workman’s Circle on Joseph Ave., corner of Sullivan Street. Hebrew? Taught at most of the Synagogues, at homes, and at the Talmud Torah on Baden St. Full schedule of meetings, classes, and music at 28 Buchan Park (now Upper Falls Blvd.)
Never a dull moment on or near Joseph Avenue!