Tag Archives: Rosh Hashanah

ROSH A HOMA by Peter Nolan Smith

Eight years ago I sat in Frank’s Lounge with Vince. The owner’s nephew and I discussed a teaching position as a creative writer. The offer sounded good and the Fort Greene native said, “Hell, I have a four day weekend thanks to Rush a homa.” “You mean Rosh Hashanah?” My boss from the Diamond District […]

Blowing The Shofar

Ron, a Catholic chauffeur, was bragging to his friend how well the Jewish family who employed him treated him. “You wouldn’t believe it,” he bragged. “I get tips galore, and they always buy me lunch or dinner when I drive. My salary is great, with benefits. I get off all holidays, including the Jewish ones, […]

CRAZY MUSLIMS by Peter Nolan Smith

Yesterday I called my ‘niece’ Andy to wish her Jewish Happy New Year. She had already left the diamond exchange for the day and explained that she was having a post-work drink at the Plaza Hotel bar. “I’m meeting my sister and her wife for Rosh Hashanah.” “Nice, I’m in Brooklyn, otherwise I’d come and […]

I Blew The Shofar

Several years ago I was out on Montauk with Richie Boy. The summer rental of his shack had finished the previous Sunday and his beach house was his again. We worked around his cottage in the morning and played with his twins, then hit Ditch Plains at noon. The waves were ankle-high, but the surfers […]

Stealing the Shofar

Joseph, a deeply religious man, went to his temple for Rosh Hashanah and forgot his prayer shawl [Tallit], so he borrowed one from “the rack” by the door. At the end of the service, he realised that he really liked this Tallit so much so that he actually decided to stuff it down the front […]