HUNGRY GERALD

Forward (“Fuhrvitz” in Yiddish) was the only newspaper in HG’s home (until young HG was old enough to read the Times). Forward was a Yiddish language newspaper, indispensable reading for HG’s parents, Harry and Ida Freeman. Both were Belarusian immigrants. Founded in 1897 in New York, it had 275,000 readers by the early 30’s. It published Isaac Bashevis Singer among other distinguished Yiddish writers. Under the editorship of Abraham Cahan, its politics were Socialist (though it supported enlightened Democrats like FDR). Forward was found on newsstands throughout New York and vital subway reading for Jewish men and women. One  day, HG’s Mom was in the subway absorbed in Forward’s “bintel briefs” column. A naughty man stood before her, exposing himself. Mom rolled up her Forward and gave him a sharp blow to his intimate appendage. “Get out of here, slob” she shouted!! He raced to an exit. Yes, Forward could be a weapon.