Page 285 - The Legacy of Abraham Rothstein - text

Reminiscences

Judith (AR’s granddaughter)

My Grandfather Abe was a very special part of my life until he
passed away in 1964. My oldest brother Jordan named him “Pepa” as
a toddler and that was the nickname we used. I remember my
Grandmother Fannie very well too. Jordan called her “Mema” and
that name was used by us also.
I remember their house on Figueroa with the large front yard,
cement backyard, and the cellar with its musty smell. The garage held
an old Moon car, which I wish we had today. The house had a dining
room with a built in china cabinet with Pepa's carved coconuts on
top. Every room in the house still comes to mind even after so many
years.
I have many wonderful memories of my Grandfather.
Pepa usually wore khaki pants and shirt with a black belt. He would
always be there for the family. I remember going with him to Knott's
Berry Farm and the Alligator Farm. One time he took me with him
to buy a live chicken at a poultry ranch. They cut off the chicken's
head and it ran around headless. He also showed us that black and
red ants do not get along. Lessons that I vividly remember.
When we moved to Ridgeley Drive, he helped my Dad clean the
very dirty Venetian blinds with kerosene. He tried to teach me
Hebrew, but didn't push too hard because I was a girl. He used to
carve whistles for us out of apricot pits. I still have one in my jewelry
box. When Pepa started carving, I modeled for his hand sculptures,
one in wood and one in stone. I have many of his sculptures in my
home as do my children. Pepa wrote wonderful letters to all his
grandchildren. I still have mine and like to read them as they are filled
with wisdom.
Pepa moved to an apartment building on Orange Street that his
brother owned. When I started driving, I would take him marketing
at Ralphs. I could go on for a very long time with colorful stories
about Abe.
I wish that I had asked him about his childhood. I am so glad that
my cousin Jon has given his time and skills to put Abe's memoirs into
The Legacy Of Abraham Rothstein.
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