Chapter One

It was a beautiful sunny autumn day in September of 1914 when an old

beat-up ocean liner, the Rotterdam, pulled into Ellis Island. On the lower deck,

squeezed in with hundreds of other tired and weary immigrants were the

Beebers, their Mother, Etel, and her 3 young sons, Yunkel, Moishe, and Yussel,

later to be known as Jack, Morris, and Joe.

Waiting for them in that old cavernous building on Ellis Island was the by-

now Americanized husband of Etel and father of their three sons, Avrum

(Abraham) Beeber. If ever there was an ill matched couple, it was Avrum and

Etel. Etel clung to her orthodoxy and small shlettel ways, while Avrum was the

tall, quite handsome man who had quickly adapted to the American way of life.

Avrum, alone had emigrated to America several years before. Here he

worked and saved his money until he had enough to purchase 4 shepscards to

send to his family for their journey to America. This was not unusual. The

husband always went first, lived as a boarder with a family and when he had

enough money, brought his family here. This could take years.

What a strange reunion that was on Ellis Island on that beautiful

September day in 1914. Three young boys who barely recognized this strange

Americanized man—their father—who even spoke English! They were taken to a

5th floor, walk-up apartment at 134 East 2nd Street in Manhattan. Next door to

them was another immigrant family by the name of Barmat, who had arrived the

previous year.
 And so started a relationship that lasted all their lives—the Beebers and

the Barmats—till death do them part. They attended each other's children's

graduations, weddings, and funerals. Every Beeber interwined with every Barmat

for as long as they lived—till the very last day of their lives.

Who could predict what life held in store for these two families who started

with absolutely nothing but survived and became educated, successful and most

importantly, charitable. For that was the most important trait taught by Etel

Beeber. To remember those who have less than us, and to never forget those

who we left behind, who never wanted to come to America; and to practice your

religion, and to be proud of who you are.

Etel Beeber and Chaytza (Clara) Barmat immediately became friends. All

their lives they called each other Mrs. Beeber and Mrs. Barmat, never by their

first names. This showed that they had a high regard and much respect for each

other.

And so, Clara Barmat showed Etel Beeber how to adjust to the new world.

Together they went to Orchard Street for all their needs. Chickens for Shabbos

were bought live; killed by the Shodat; then hand-plucked. They were carried

home to be koshered, cooked, and served the same day. Refrigeration was just a

wooden box attached to the outside of the kitchen window where all was stored.

Under these conditions, they prepared the most delicious meals, cakes, holiday

treats, and cooked for boarders. They had so little but were so happy to be in a

safe land, far away from pogroms and persecution.

 This land, America, offered opportunities for the children. That was most

important.

They never were unhappy. The future was so bright. That was instilled in

the children. This golden land, America, held a shining future for them, if only

they were willing to work hard, be decent and get a good education. Schooling

and learning was taught to children at an early age. Imagine! In Russia there

were no schools for children. You went to the Rabbi who taught you some

prayers. Here in this Golden Land, you had free schooling. You could even be a

doctor (the highest status profession) or a lawyer or maybe even become a

judge. They had big dreams. In time, these dreams became realities.

A few years passed; Jack was 15, Morris was 14 and Joe was 13. The

family went to a small Shul on Joe's Bar-Mitzvah day. A few friends came home

with them after services. Wine and cake were served. That was the Bar-Mitzvah

celebration. About 3 p.m., Avrum Beeber went to visit a friend on 8th Street.

When he arrived there, he had chest pains and died instantly—on his youngest

son's 13th birthday -Joe's Bar-Mitzvah day. And Etel Beeber--who spoke no

English and had no skills-was left penniless with 3 teenagers to feed, educate,

and discipline. But she did have one good thing in her favor—her friends and

next door neighbors, Yussel and Chaytza Barmat. They consoled her and told

her that they would share what little they had with her and help her survive.

Well, Etel Beeber was a pretty good cook. And there were so many men in

America who were alone, saving money to bring their families here. So by word
of mouth, these lonely men heard that Etel Beeber was serving good meals in

the evenings in her apartment. And, by cooking, she survived.

Etel Beeber and Clara Barmat shopped together on Orchard Street. They

carried every bit of food home every day. Supper was served 6 days a week

(never on Shabbos). On a good day, there could be 20 to 25 customers. Friday

nights were the busiest. After a while, business was so good that they moved

from the tiny apartment to a walk up store on East 3rd Street with a kitchen and

one small bedroom in the rear. The windowless toilet was in the outside hall—

shared with another tenant.

Joe helped with the cooking and washing the pots and pans. Morris was

the waiter and washed the brown linoleum floor every night. Jack took care of

collecting money. Reservations were requested so Etel would know how much to

prepare. Jack also took care of all the family needs. From the time he was 15

and his father died, Jack assumed the role of the head of the family. He kept that

role all his life and was held in great esteem because of his intelligence and

ability to keep the family together as long as they lived.

At that time, there was no government assistance of any kind. You had to

find a job the day that you arrived. New immigrants always lived with people from

their town who had come before them. You just walked in, put down your one

small valise and were given a narrow cot in a tiny bedroom that already had a

few boarders. And when you had saved enough money, you sent for your family.

This could take years.

 So, Etel Beeber's restaurant served as not only an eating place, but a

place where you could meet some friends and have some fun with those 3

Beeber Boys. There was much fun and togetherness. After dinner they would

stay and have tea in a glass with lump sugar on the side, and sometimes a slice

of sponge cake or honey cake—usually baked by Chaytza.

Even though they loved those boys and liked the food—the customers

always complained. The soup was cold, or it didn't have enough noodles. Or they

forgot to put bread on the table. And some nights when they had more customers

than expected, Etel would add more water in the fricassee and cut the chicken

into smaller pieces. And did they complain! And if the service was slow, did they

complain! And if something did not taste just right, did they complain! But it was

in a good-natured way. And they always came back. They would talk about the

families they had left behind. Letters from home were read to all. The yearning to

be reunited with wives and children was great. So they gathered here in these

little rooms after working in the factories from 8 am to 7 pm, or later. Lunch was

food brought from home, eaten at the sewing machines or the pressing

machines. After a hard, back-breaking, 12-hour day it was so relaxing to eat,

meet your friends, and spend the evening at Beeber's Restaurant.

Meals were paid for whenever you got paid at the factory. Jack kept the

records. No receipts were given and the only records were in Jack's book. The

customers always complained that they couldn't owe so much and Jack always

insisted that his calculations were correct. Somehow, it was always settled

amicably until the next week when it started all over again.
 And in the midst of all this noise and confusion and hard work, three teen

aged boys excelled in high school; even without a parent who could speak

English. The boys had to stay up until 1 or 2 a.m. every night to do their lessons

and reading; and they had no one to guide them. They had an inner drive to

follow the right path. Where did it come from? Are we born with it? They had no

example to follow.

Jack took over the role of the father at age 15 and felt responsible for the

family all his life. No one asked him to do it. Morris became the science lover,

and went to the best High School of Science—Stuyvesant High School. He

wanted more than anything in the world to become a doctor. Why? Joe became

the dreamer, the music and art lover, the book lover. They had no shining

examples to follow.

This routine of hard work took its toll mostly on Morris. He just couldn't get

up early enough to be in school on time—at 8 a.m. He was late so many times

that he was suspended and told he would not be permitted back to classes

unless he brought his mother to school. Well, Etel Beeber absolutely refused to

go. She was just too busy. Also, she thought that Morris was just lazy and that he

should have a responsibility to get to school on time. Morris was home for days

crying and unhappy; until one morning Chaytza Barmat appeared. She felt so

sorry for this really good child, that she posed as Mrs. Beeber and went to school

with Morris and assured the teachers (in Yiddish) that it would never happen

again. But this late morning sleeping was a pattern that stayed with Morris all his

life.
 At the same time that the Beebers were struggling to survive, what was

happening next door to the Barmat family? Chaytza was the strong dominant

figure. She was bright, talented but not as religious as her friend Etel. You could

say that they were extreme opposites. Chaytza could sew and design clothes.

She was an excellent cook and baker. In today's society, she could be a caterer.

It was not enough for her to cook a good meal. It had to be presented on the

plate just like a work of art. She sewed every stitch of clothing for her three

children with remnants bought from the pushcarts on Orchard Street. Yussel

Barmat was having a hard time earning enough to support his family. Their two

daughers, Fannie (Fay) and Esther (Essy) were good, obedient children. Harry

was the problem. Harry had a brilliant mind but used it not for learning but for

causing mischief; and then had to lie and cover up. This became his pattern for

all of his life. What causes some children to go in one direction, and others to

follow another?

Chaytza Barmat and her two young daughters could often be found at the

restaurant clearing the tables, refilling water glasses and sometimes running out

to get more bread or sour pickles or whatever was needed.

When Jack was 18 years old, he graduated from De Witt Clinton High

School. He enrolled in City College Night School to study accounting. It was now

time for him to earn some money for the family. Etel had now been working very

hard for years. He had to relieve his mother of being the family supporter. He

saw an ad in the newspaper: "All around helper wanted for Krebs Surgical

Supply Store, 2nd Avenue and East 17th Street. Jack applied for the job. Sam
Krebs took one look at this 6 foot tall, handsome, young man with wavy auburn

hair and a winning smile and hired him immediately. Jack's duties were to keep

the stock room neat, wash the counters, do the unpacking, and be of general

help.

Jack was bright and a fast learner. After two weeks, Mr. Krebs gave him a

briefcase with a few supplies and an order book and sent him out every

afternoon to find new doctor customers. To his surprise, Jack brought an order

from every doctor that he visited. He sold bandages, gauze pads, tongue

depressors, and other essential items.

After just three months, Jack told his Mother that he wanted to start his

own business. He knew where to buy the supplies and had confidence in his

ability to succeed. By this time, they had saved $300.00 from the restaurant

business. Jack convinced his mother to give him the money, and that was the

beginning of the Beeber Medical Supply Company. They moved to a larger

apartment on East 8th Street. One room became the stock room and office. He

ordered 100 business cards, bought a few order books, bought a small supply

from J & J, Bauer and Black, some iodine and Mercurochrome, and went out to

sell.

Morris and Joe filled the orders and personally delivered them to the

doctors the next day. Gradually more items were added to the inventory. Slowly

business improved and Etel was able to give up her restaurant. Jack was now

the family caretaker. A big responsibility faced him. His brothers must have a

college education. He was confident.

**********************

From these humble beginnings and much hard work, the Beeber Medical

Supply Company eventually became the outstanding medical supply company in

New York City. After a few moves, they were at 838 Broadway, where they

bought that building. A branch was opened at 1109 Walnut Street in Philadelphia,

and in time, they owned that building and several others on Walnut Street.

While these three men were becoming successful businessmen they all

lived at home with Mother, Etel; always in a simple one-bedroom apartment.

Three charming, handsome, red-haired men shared one bedroom. Mother slept

on the couch in the breakfast room.

Friday nights were observed religiously. Everyone came home early and

Etel prepared a Shabbos meal always starting with home made gefilte fish,

followed by a little fricassee, and then some nice chicken soup. No one would

ever make other plans for Friday nights. And it was at this time that Etel began to

think that there are no young women good enough to deserve her sons in

marriage.
 From these humble beginnings and much hard work, the Beeber Medical

Supply Company eventually became the outstanding medical supply company in

New York City. After a few moves, they were at 838 Broadway, where they

bought that building. A branch was opened at 1109 Walnut Street in Philadelphia,

and in time, they owned that building and several others on Walnut Street.

While these three men were becoming successful businessmen they all

lived at home with Mother, Etel; always in a simple one-bedroom apartment.

Three charming, handsome, red-haired men shared one bedroom. Mother slept

on the couch in the breakfast room.

Friday nights were observed religiously. Everyone came home early and

Etel prepared a Shabbos meal always starting with home made gefilte fish,

followed by a little fricassee, and then some nice chicken soup. No one would

ever make other plans for Friday nights. And it was at this time that Etel began to

think that there are no young women good enough to deserve her sons in

marriage.
 Dedicated to My Children,

Joel, Deborah, and Mimi

And My Grandchildren,

Jonathan, Simeon, and Brandon

I hope that this completely true story will inspire them to be

decent, honorable and charitable.