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Unconditional Love
In Oy Vey, It’s Always Something, you share your family’s journey from your escape from brutality in 1904 Kiev to decades of endurance and memories made in America. Why was this an important book for you to write?
One day, my grandchildren were visiting. There were so many stories. Always bouncing between so many memories. “What, we’ve never heard that one before!” “You should write a book about all of this.” I sat for a moment to start reflecting on my life and said, “Who am I going to tell, what would I say, and who would read it?” The stream of questions and suggestions led me to realize that I was fortunate to have had such a good life up to this point and that my grandkids wanted to know everything. I knew that the only way I could tell them all of it was to write, so I agreed, and I did.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest thing to write about was my husband’s affair with his secretary. It was one thing to pour my heart out about the betrayal, hurt, and isolation; it was another to prove to my grandkids that I truly forgave Irv and how I did it.
Did you learn anything about yourself as you wrote this memoir?
Yes. By the time I finished The Affair, I was proud to realize how strong I was when I came out of the other end of the whole ordeal. That whole thing could have left me so bitter. G-d gave me the strength, courage, and wisdom to remember that His plan was for me to be the better half of “The Romance of the Century.” Even after Irv died of cancer in 1989, I still got to enjoy all the things we created, built, and did together. I learned that even though I had the rest of my life to count my blessings, I would never have enough time to do so.
What advice would you give someone who is considering sharing their family’s story with readers?
Well, while writing this book for my grandchildren and great-grandchildren drove me, I realized that I had to write it for myself too – my complete investment in the book must equal my unconditional love for the kids. That was the only way I knew how to relive my life with words. They had to know that my unconditional love would continue growing for them after I was gone
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In Oy Vey: It’s Always Something, Jean looks back on the delicious absurdities of family, faith, and everyday chaos with the sharp humor of a born storyteller and the heart of someone who’s lived it all. From kitchen mishaps to life’s bigger messes, her stories remind us that joy and heartbreak often share the same recipe — just add a little perspective, a pinch of patience, and a healthy dose of humor.
Told with honesty, warmth, and a wink, this memoir is a celebration of imperfection — proof that no matter what life serves up, it’s always something worth laughing about.
Oy Vey, It’s Always Something: A 20th-Century Jewish Memoir
Oy Vey, It’s Always Something tells the story of a Jewish immigrant family whose lives stretch across pogroms, steerage crossings, cramped Denver kitchens, and decades of love and stubborn endurance. The book opens with scenes of terror in 1904 Kiev, then moves through the long journey to America and into the lively, noisy, tender world of West Colfax. What begins as a family’s escape from brutality becomes a bright collection of memories, jokes, sorrows, and lessons. The author lets each moment breathe and speak for itself. I found myself slipping easily into the rooms she describes, and feeling the ache of hope that carried every generation forward.
This is an emotionally stirring book. The writing is simple and warm. It works almost like someone sitting across from you at the kitchen table telling stories. When the author talks about her parents’ faith and their everyday struggles, I felt my heart squeeze a little. Something about the way she writes made the small moments matter. I could picture the kids running through the alley, their mother baking bread for the week, and the father fighting for breath while keeping humor alive in the house. The pain is there, yet the voice never sinks. Instead, it lifts what hurts and turns it into something human and soft.
I kept thinking about how the book balances tragedy and joy. Some chapters were very emotional. The author does not hide the brutality of the past or the grief that shaped her family’s choices. Other chapters made me laugh. That mix felt authentic. Life rarely arrives in one mood. Her humor carries a kind of wisdom that caught me off guard. It reminded me that people can be knocked down again and again and still rise with a joke ready. The writing has this natural rhythm that swings between lightness and sorrow. It feels like a real voice, not a polished performance, and that pulled me close.
In the end, I walked away, moved, and very grateful for the ride.Oy Vey, It’s Always Something: A 20th-Century Jewish Memoir would be wonderful for readers who love family stories, immigrant histories, Jewish humor, or memoirs that feel like sitting beside a relative who has lived more life than you can imagine. It is filled with heart, grit, warmth, and a deep sense of what it means to survive and still laugh. I would gladly recommend it to anyone who wants a moving story that stays with them long after the last page.
Pages: 253 | ASIN : B0FY7VQBXJ
