Bertha Meisler Helfand - Happy 100th Birthday

Denny, Birdie and Vivian - October 28, 2002

Looking back 10 years ago today...

Ten years ago today we celebrated the 90th Birthday of Bertha Meisler Helfand. I don't remember how many of us gathered to celebrate on that day, but I do remember one very special family friend, Vicki Fingerman, making a toast. As Vicki raised a glass she wished Birdie a Happy 90th and said, hopefully, may we all meet together in 10 years to celebrate "your 100th!" I remember looking around the room at the time and we all drank to the toast, but we wondered silently if Vicki's dream would come true. Sadly, today we are not together to celebrate Birdie's 100th, as we said our final good-bye's to Birdie on December 18, 2011, two days after her passing on December 16, 2011. Thankfully, many of her family were together to celebrate her 99th Birthday...and it was great. Joe Cantor, her nephew and my cousin-in-law, said of this 99th Birthday celebration as he recalled it beautifully in his eulogy for his Aunt Bert:

Above all, she loved her family: her parents and siblings, her husband, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  And her whole extended family.  And if she never knew it before, on her 99th birthday, just 2 months ago, she knew just how much her family loved her.

Getting to know Bertha (Birdie, Bertie, Mom, Grandma, Aunt Bert...)

Bertha Meisler came into this world on October 28, 1912. (Although her passport issued in 1973, displays her birth date as October 29, 1912). She was the first child of Jacob and Rose (Drucker - nee) Meisler, both immigrants from Delatyn, a village in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Before World War I it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; between the World Wars, Poland, after World War II, the U.S.S.R, and today, Ukraine. I have no idea if Bertie was born in a hospital or at home.

For whatever reason, I cannot find a record listing our Bertha Meisler on the 1920 Census**; however, I did find her on the 1930 Census. She was 18 and employed as a bookkeeper. By the 1940 Census she was married to Julius Helfand and lived on Trinity Avenue; she was not employed.

Bertie/Birdie and Julius (Julie) were married on March 5, 1938, and shortly thereafter they sailed to Bermuda for their honeymoon. They returned to New York on March 19, 1938, sailing on the Queen of Bermuda. Their first child, Dennis (my husband) was born in 1942, followed by Harvey in 1945, and finally Vivian in 1949. As Vivian wrote in her eulogy for her Mom:

 I thought of the cold winter days we sat at the window watching my brothers play in the snow, while singing songs together.  I remembered in great anticipation watching her fry chicken for a fun day at Jones Beach with all our cousins, aunts, and uncles.  She instilled in me, and it’s one of her greatest legacies, her immense love of cats which has now been, I’m happy to say, passed down to the next two generations.  I remember vividly doing even the ordinary, mundane activities with her – shopping for weekly groceries and going to Tuckmans for socks.  Why were these the things that I remembered first?  Perhaps they spoke of the essence of a mother - what a mother should be to a daughter.  We did so much together and formed a bond from an early age.  I knew that she would do anything for me; I was special to her and she made me feel loved, as it should be.

Birdie, my mother-in-law

I saw an ad the other day on television. It featured people laughing, almost uncontrollably. It made me think of Birdie. For as many times as we "sighed" together and yes "cried" together...what I remember most fondly was just "laughing" together. I think sometimes we would make each other laugh, just because we knew if we looked too closely at a situation it might just bring tears to our eyes. Birdie liked to write. She wrote poems about and for those she loved. She wrote letters...usually to let you know she really was RIGHT about something. I still have some of those LETTERS, but today I came across one poem that she wrote in 2002 which talked about her childhood:

How well I remember the 1920's
in the ledger of my life I can make many entries.
It was fun and learning time
with parents who taught me values
of caring, sharing, honesty, and respect.
Nothing less would they expect.

My fun with friends was playing
store in the "lot"
where weeds and flowers nested
the bees and flies we had to swat!

For one penny Mr. Gersh the Grocer
provided the crepe paper for our show.
Draped around us we danced to and fro.
Fanny's veil made her a beautiful bride.
My cape encouraged me to dance with pride.

We played games of potsie, immies,
hide-and seek and ball.
It was just a wonderful time for all.

Mom was his morning... 

A day or so after Birdie passed away, Denny was talking to one of his first cousins. I listened to the telephone conversation and quietly Denny said "She was my morning..."  It's true, Birdie/Mom was his morning. Every day for probably more than 20 years Denny would call his Mom, just to say "hi!"  But he had one "strict" rule...he only wanted to hear good news, probably because for the most part there was nothing he could do to impact any of the bad news from 500 - 3000 miles away. So they would have their conversations, they would laugh, share memories, and basically just "check-in" with each other.  I miss those conversations...Denny knows I miss those conversations, because every once in a while he will look at me and say "Gee, I haven't heard from my Mom in a few days!" He smiles, I smile...and we move through the day, sans Birdie!

Here you can see a few of my favorite photos of Birdie...she was a classy lady...(if you click on the album, it will get larger).

A few  of my own memories of Birdie - my mother-in-law...

As I close today, I am thinking of many days spent with Birdie. When I first met Birdie it was on the occasion of my wedding to Denny. In those days she liked to have a drink and a cigarette. She also liked to gamble, just a wee bit. She bought lottery tickets and always assured her grandchildren that she would share her winnings. On more than one occasion I went to Atlantic City with her. She once took me via a gambling one-day bus trip from the Bronx. She sort of liked to travel, but always seemed to book a trip with the delayed plane or even once got all the way to our home with a suitcase that belonged to a complete stranger (well, she said "it looked like mine!") We traveled by train a number of times, but her antics on those trips I will have to save for another post. We were once stuck in her car on the George Washington Bridge for 3-4 hours with Daniel and Aaron (so long that vendors were selling drinks and ice-cream to us). She taught me to cook Jewish dishes. She liked to laugh, but she was also a great worrier...she worried enough for all of us. She comforted me when my Father died in 1979 and when my Mother died in 2006. And once, many years ago she shared a secret about her life (something she had in common with my own father).

Today, I learned she also shared that secret with the 1940 Census taker Leo Terragas.  I am thinking now she shared that secret with Mr. Terragas and many years later with me, because as she said about her parents in the poem about her Childhood - learning time with parents who taught me values of caring, sharing, honesty, and respect.

I am forever grateful that I had 33 years with Birdie, 33 years of caring, sharing, honesty, and respect. Happy 100th Birthday to my friend, Bertha Meisler Helfand. 

Care to share your favorite memory of Birdie?
______________________________________________

** (10-29-2012)I searched Ancestry.com again for the 1920 Census using only Bertha's first name, with parents' first names of Jacob and Rose living in New York City area. I found them. The spelling of the last name was wrong: MINSLER. That is why I was having trouble. They lived at 843 Crimmins Avenue, Bronx, NY. It was an apartment building. 

Related articles

• Jacob Meisler September 22, 1891 - March 23, 1989 (judysoped.blogspot.com)

Ships of Dreams - Teutonic, Ryndam, Titanic and Laconia

"Titanic" Movie Poster - 2012

Yesterday Dennis and I took a break and went to the movies. We saw the newly released TITANIC (3D). Yes, we saw Cameron's original release in 1997, and before that we saw 1953 version of Titanic and the 1958 docudrama A Night to Remember. But yesterday was different and not just because we were wearing 3D glasses. You see it was more about why we are fascinated with this 100 year old historical event. I cannot really speak for Dennis, so today I will just speak for myself. It is like you are drawn to the story, not just because it tells the beginning of a beautiful love story, but because you can actually imagine how that fateful trip must have been for both the survivors and the lost.

When I left the theater it occurred to me that six of our grandparents (and a few great-grandparents) immigrated to the United States via a transatlantic crossing. I thought about how the White Star Line promoted the Titanic as the "Ship of Dreams" and how perhaps each ship that carried hopeful immigrants was most likely considered a Ship of Dreams...

When I first started college I was a history major. I love history. But the one most important thing I learned from Father Smyth was that being an historian is HARD work. It entails hours and hours of research, checking details and subtle hints, comparing sources and then hoping that whomever was keeping the records or making the records was hearing and seeing the real facts.

I belong to Ancestry.com. It is a great site, but it can literally suck you in for hours and then you realize that most of what you find is by luck.  This happens because many of the records document split seconds of time and how you spell a person's name today may not resemble anything close to what was recorded on the ship's manifest or list of alien passengers for the United States!  Just like Rose in the movie when the record keeper approached her as she sat aboard the RMS Carpathia. He asked her name and she responded Rose Dawson (aka Rose DeWitt Bukater).

Joseph Helfand

Meet Josef Elefant. Josef arrived from Liverpool aboard the SS Teutonic on July 10, 1902. By the time the 1910 US Census was being taken he was known as Joseph Helephant and going forward his five children used the last name Helfand! Josef was Dennis' fraternal grandfather. The photo you see here is circa 1944.

Someday I hope to share with you much more about Joseph. But first I have to research his story. I want to understand more about why and how he came to America. Did his parents come before him? Or did they come after him?

Jacob Meisler

Next I would like you to meet Jankel Meisler. You might remember meeting him when I wrote my post Jacob Meisler September 22, 1891 - March 23, 1989. Jacob set sail from Rotterdam, Holland, on July 31, 1909. He sailed on the SS Ryndam. He was listed on the manifest as Jankel Meisler, Austrian, Hebrew, from Belatyn, Austria, 18 years old, single. His next of kin was listed as Aron Meisler. His occupation was listed as tailor. He was held for "special inspection" because he "squints."  He had 25 dollars and he told the inspectors he was going to live with Isaac Strum at 150 12th Street, New York, NY.(Isaac was married to Lena Meisler - Jacob's sister). He arrived at Ellis Island on August 10, 1909.  He was really from Delatyn (located in the Carpathian Mountains) and we all knew him as Jacob or Jake or Jack. And for the record, he married Rose. That's right the same names of ill-fated lover's from Titanic - Jack and Rose.

Humphrey Lynch

Finally, meet Humphrey Lynch. He is my maternal grandfather and I am only beginning to know him. He was born December 23, 1895 and died January 25, 1941(8+ years before I was born). He was one of 12 children and the first of his family to immigrate to the United States and I have learned recently his nickname was "Free." He sailed from Queenstown (the last port of the Titanic) aboard the SS Laconia on July 8, 1914. He arrived in Boston mid-July (the date is smeared on the manifest). I always had the impression he set off on his own, but it turns out he was traveling with a cousin by the name of William Mahoney. The manifest of alien passengers (steerage class) indicates they were both going to Butte, Montana, and would be living with Timothy Mahoney. He listed his mother, Julia Lynch, as next of kin in Ireland. In the 1920 Census his name is scratched through and it is hard to know if it says Humphrey, while in the 1930 Census he is listed as Humpery Lynch and his place of birth is listed as Irish Free State. One final thought about Humphrey's passage to the United States: the SS Laconia made her maiden voyage January 20, 1912, only three months before the Titanic.  I can't imagine how brave and daring the 20 year old Humphrey must have been to decide to sail only two years after the Titanic sank. 

Tonight I will watch the National Geographic Special about the Titanic. I want to learn more about how and why this event happened and why we are so interested, even after 100 years.  For myself, I think about the fact that my mother-in-law, Bertha Meisler Helfand was born in 1912, six months after the sinking of the Titanic. I also think about the fact that it was the RMS Carpathia that came to rescue the survivors of the Titanic (could it be the Carpathia was named for the Carpathian Mountains, where Bertha's parents were born and raised?).  I think about after all these years, now that I am 62, I am finally getting to know about my grandfather's nieces and nephews that live both here in the United States and in Ireland.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Joseph, Jacob and Humphrey - three men that set sail in steerage class and made it to America. They didn't let go...


If you are having trouble viewing the video, you can see it here.

How about you? Do you have ancestors who sailed across the Atlantic? What have you learned of their story?

Memories Between the Bookends

I have been "away" for a while. The last few months I didn't feel much like writing. It is not that I had nothing to say, I just couldn't bring myself to write. You see, I have lost special people in my life. You might remember that last September I kept a promise to my mother-in-law, Bertha (Bertie) Helfand by sharing the history of her father, Jacob Meisler. Sadly Bertie passed away on December 16, 2011. She had turned 99 on October 28th. Then on February 17, 2012, my Auntie Agnes passed away, just about one month shy of her 94th birthday. Auntie was my Mother's twin sister. It seems many of my friends are going through the same sadness - the loss of a really wonderful generation, all in their late eighties and early nineties...so today I thought I would write about reconnecting with old friends and sharing memories.

Do you remember the 1968 Simon and Garfunkel album Bookends? The songs from the first side of the album explore a life journey from childhood to old age. The album opens with the Bookends Theme.

Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you

I thought of this album today because yesterday my childhood neighbor and playmate found me on the internet. She found my blog and sent me an email. Turns out she has been trying to find me for years and the truth is I have looked for her many times over the years. Last night we talked to each other for the first time in probably 45 years.

Her name is Peggy. We lived on the same street from 1956 till the end of 1960. We played together everyday. Her parents were 10 years younger than my parents and her mother, Doris, really was just like June Cleaver. Peggy has a brother named Jackie. He, too, was part of our play group. We played in the canyon, thinking nothing of wading into a strange looking pond or digging into a side of hill. We played in the street - hide and seek and kick the can. We played in my father's 1949 Cadillac mourning car. We made mud pies and Peggy swears that we once made a "mud pie" that resembled "dog poop" and placed it on her parents' manicured front lawn just to tease her dad, Jack. Peggy's parents loved to go to the beach. I often went with them, as they had a boat and loved to water ski. (I watched.) We shared holidays - I remember their Christmas tree was always picture perfect...right out of a magazine. Peggy remembers listening to my sisters and me play/practice the piano. She still loves Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and remembers watching my sister Agnes play it. We didn't go to the same school. We went to parochial school and Peggy and Jackie went to public school. But I do remember looking forward to the afternoons and early evenings as play time with Peggy.  In late 1960 my parents decided they needed to find a larger home so we moved away from Alpha Street. It was a very sad time...leaving Peggy, Jackie and Mr. and Mrs. Alford. I know now it was just as sad for them. We stayed in touch visiting each other. Eventually they moved, too; however, our parents made an effort for us to continue to spend time together. I remember spending weekends with the Alfords at their new home in El Cajon...it was wonderful. And then slowly, we lost track of each other.

Getting back to Bookends...there is another song At the Zoo.

Someone told me
It's all happening at the zoo.
I do believe it,
I do believe it's true.

It is true...many times Peggy and I, along with our siblings, went to the San Diego Zoo. It is a wonderful zoo...a place to play, to learn and make memories. I hope you will enjoy this little photo album of some of those trips.

Finally, I want to share a video of Simon and Garfunkel singing Old Friends



So here's to my Old Friend, Peggy. We are now both in are 60's. We have been apart for 50 years. We went to college, we married, we raised our children, Peggy became an artist. Strangely enough, from 1997 until March 2008, we lived only 10 miles apart. I'm hoping Peggy and I will be able to meet again in person before we are 70!

Can you imagine us
Years from today,
Sharing a park bench quietly?        
How terribly strange
To be seventy.

Peggy and Judy -Circa 2012

I would love to hear about your memories between the bookends.

Jacob Meisler September 22, 1891 - March 23, 1989

L-R Max Meisler, Jacob Meisler w/ two friends

120 years ago today, September 22, 1891, Jacob Meisler was born. Jacob Meisler is my husband's maternal grandfather and our sons' great grandfather. In celebration of Jacob Meisler's (Papa, Grandpa, Jake, Poppy, Uncle Jack) birth I am going to fulfill a request made to me in 1993.

The Backstory...

On June 8, 1993, Bertha Meisler Helfand (my mother-in-law) sent me the following request:

"I've been lax about having this "poem" printed like the one's you had made so I'm passing the job on to you.

I know that you're getting busy now - and since I've waited all these year to have it 'permanent-ized' - please take as long as necessary to have it done. You can make up 4 copies - keep one for yourselves & send me the bill."

Here is the poem Bertha (Birdie, Bertie, Mom, Grandma from the Bronx, Aunt Bert) is referring to; she wrote it for her father in honor of his 90th birthday, September 22, 1981.

A TOAST TO PAPA 

Congratulations & best wishes in your 90th year,
We're here to toast you loud and clear.
You're a man of integrity, dignity and pride,
You're refined and charming when we look inside.
With your taste in clothes you should be in "Who's Who,"
Bill Blass and Givenchy could learn from you.
You're King of the Cha Cha in Miami Beach,
Arthur Murray & Fred Astaire you could surely teach.
Your jokes are funny and make us roar,
Even tho we have heard them before.
So - enjoy your birthday - have health aplenty,
We want to celebrate with you until you are
120!

So, I needed 18 years...

I always listen to my mother-in law.  She said: "Please take as long as necessary to have it done." So, I took a little more than 18 years to print this poem and "permanent-ize" for all the family to enjoy. This week I decided that I would try to share a little bit about Jacob Meisler's life.  First, I will share what I know to be facts, then a bit of what might be urban legend, and close with some photos and documents for all to enjoy.

Just the facts...

1. Jacob (Jakob) was born September 22, 1891
2. His parents were Perle(Pescha) Bochner (nee) and Aaron (Euron) Meisler
3. Jacob was born in Delatyn - Delatyn is a village in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains. It lies along the Pruth River within Eastern Galicia. Before World War I it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; between the World Wars, Poland, after World War II, the U.S.S.R, and today, Ukraine. Delatyn was home to a vibrant Jewish community until the Fall of 1941.
4. Jacob had seven (7) siblings: Chaim Laib, Zigmund (Zelig or Sigmund), Chai Ester, Max (Mendel), Lena, Yette, and Alte. 
5. Aaron, Jacob's father, was a tailor. 
6. Aaron died in 1914, just before the family was forced to leave Delatyn.
7. Jacob immigrated to the United States in 1909.
8. Jacob set sail from Rotterdam, Holland, on July 31, 1909. He sailed on the S.S. Ryndam. He was listed on the manifest as Jankel Meisler, Austrian, Hebrew, from Belatyn, Austria, 18 years old, single. His next of kin was listed as Aron Meisler. His occupation was listed as tailor. He was held for "special inspection" because he "squints".  He had 25 dollars and he told the inspectors he was going to live with Isaac Strum at 150 12th Street, New York, NY.(Isaac was married to Lena Meisler - Jacob's sister). He arrived at Ellis Island on August 10, 1909.
9. Jacob's mother, Pesche/Pescha/Pesie, died in New York City November 9, 1937. According to her headstone, she was 80 years old. So that means she was born around 1857.
10. Jacob married Rose Drucker (nee)
11. Jacob and Rose had three children: Bertha (10/28/1912), Estelle (03/17/1914- 02/03/2006) and Sidney (05/22/1916 - 08/16/1995)
12. On June 5, 1917, Jacob registered for the United States draft. According to his registration he was living at 734 E 9th Street, New York, NY. He was employed as an operator for Singer which was located at 6-8 E 27th St. He is married with three children. He is described as short and stout. He claimed exemption from the draft because of his stomach and right eye. In answer to the question, "has person lost arm, leg, hand, foot, eye or both eyes or is he otherwise disabled (specify)?" he answered "right eye."
13. On June 18, 1920, Jacob Meisler became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States. He was 28 years old, 5 foot 5 inches tall, living at 341 Crimmins Avenue, Bronx, New York, with his wife Rose and three children. 
14. According to the 1930 Census, taken on April 22, 1930, Jacob and Rose Meisler lived at 823 East 147th Street, Bronx, NY. They lived there with Bertha, Estelle and Sidney. Their monthly rent was $60. Jacob's occupation is listed as a tailor and Bertha's occupation is listed as a bookkeeper. The census indicates that they had a radio set!
15. In 1933 Jacob Meisler owned a car; this is according to a photo provided by Bertha.
16. On March 5, 1938, Bertha Meisler married Julius Helfand, D.D.S.
17. In 1942, Jacob Meisler again registered for the US draft. His registration reports his address as 111 West 167th Street, Bronx, NY. His employer is listed as Casual Sportswear 224 West 35th Street, New York, NY. 
18. Jacob and Rose Meisler enjoyed eight grandchildren: Dennis Helfand, Harvey Helfand, Vivian Helfand, Stephen Goldberg, Beverly Goldberg, Phyllis Meisler, Myrna Meisler, and Sheri (Sherry Jane)Meisler.
19. Jacob and Rose's grandchildren are now parents and grandparents, as well.  
20. In 1947 the following Meislers served as "officers" of the Meisler Family Circle: Jacob Meisler (President), Sigmund Meisler (Vice-President), Max Meisler (Vice-President), C. Esther Holtz, and Lena Strum. 
21. Jacob and Rose Meisler bought a two family home at 1559 Pelham Parkway North, Bronx, NY
22. Jacob and Rose resided on the first level of the home at 1559 Pelham Parkway N, and Estelle (Stella) Meisler Goldberg and Benjamin Goldberg resided in the top level home with their children Stephen and Beverly. 
23. Jacob and Rose loved to dance. 
24. After Rose's passing, Jacob often would spend the winter months in Miami Beach, FL. 
25. On September 22, 1978, Jacob celebrated his 87th birthday at the home of his grand-nephew Robert Stuckleman (grandson of Zigmund (Sigmund or Zelig) Meisler).
26. On September 23, 1978, Jacob Meisler danced at our wedding which took place at Robert and Tina Stuckelman's home. In attendance were: Mildred Meisler Stuckelman, Bertha Meisler Helfand, Estelle Meisler Goldberg, Benjamin Goldberg, Sidney Meisler, Rosalie Meisler (nee Steiner), Vivian Rubin (nee Helfand), Marc Rubin, Stephen Goldberg, Mark Stuckelman, Nona Stuckelman, Joseph Stuckelman and Sylvia Drucker.
27. Jacob spent the summer of 1981 and 1982 with us in West Covina, CA.  He watched Aaron learn to swim and met Johnny Carson (got his autograph) on a return flight to New York City!
28. December 1982, Dennis and I visited Poppy in Miami Beach, FL. During this trip we met Jack and Rose Holtz. Jack was the son of Jacob's sister, Chai Ester (married to Israel Holz).
29. From 1985-1989, we visited Poppy where he lived at the Ambassador Manor, Long Beach, NY.
30. On March 23, 1989, Jacob Meisler passed away, just shy of his 98th birthday.
31. Both Jacob and Rose Meisler (nee Drucker) are at rest at Beth El Cemetery in Paramus, NJ.

 Some urban legends (items I have not been able to prove)...

1. I was told a few times that Jacob's father, Aaron, designed military uniforms for Franz Joseph I of Austro-Hungarian Empire. 
2. I have been told that Poppy is known in New York City fashion industry as the designer of the woman's Eisenhower jacket.

Photos and documents...

Over the years I have managed to gather copies or original photos and documents. I know that so many of you must have great photos of your own family that include part of the Jacob Meisler history. I hope that this little project will inspire you to send me the digital copies and I will add them to this post.  One more thing, you should know that of Jacob's seven (7) siblings, two died young and before marrying. According to Bertha (Birdie), Chaim Laib died at two years of age and Yette died in Delatyn at the age of 22 of tuberculosis. 

It has been my honor to have met descendants of Jacob Meisler, Chai Esther Meisler, Zelig (Zigmund/Sigmund) Meisler and Mendel (Max) Meisler.

Finally, a quote from Carl Sandburg...

"A camera testament, a drama of the grand canyon of humanity, an epic woven of fun, mystery and holiness - here is the Family of Man!"

Enjoy the journey (click on any photo to enlarge) and please add your own memories in the comments!

Jacob Meisler's passport verifies year of birth 1891 and immigration year 1909

Jacob Meisler's United States Draft Registration 1917

Jacob Meisler's Certificate of Naturalization June 18, 1920

Jacob Meisler's Family Listed in the US 1930 Census

Standing L-R: Estelle Meisler, Jacob Meisler, Rose Meisler and seated L-R Bertha Meisler & Sidney Meisler - Year unknown

Selig Meisler, Sol Strum, Jennie Singer Meisler, Bertha Meisler, Rose Meisler, Estelle Meisler, Ben Triebwasser and Jacob Meisler 1933

Selig Meisler, Jennie Singer Meisler, Rose Drucker Meisler and Estelle Meisler 1933

Meisler Family Gathering Includes Julius Helfand, Bertha Helfand, Benjamin Goldberg, Estelle Goldberg, Rose Meisler and Jacob Meisler (front right) - year unknown

Jacob Meisler's 1942 US Draft Registration

January 16, 1955- Dennis Helfand's Bar Mitzvah. L-R standing Harvey Helfand, Benjamin Goldberg, Jacob Meisler, Julius Helfand, Dennis Helfand, Sidney Meisler, Phyllis Meisler,. L - R sitting Estelle Goldberg, Rose Meisler, Bertha Helfand, Rosalie Meisler, Myrna Meisler. L-R Floor sitting Stephen Goldberg and Vivian Helfand

September 23, 1978: L-R Back Row Robert Stuckelman, Tina Stuckelman, Sidney Meisler, Dennis Helfand, Stephen Goldberg, Benjamin Goldberg, Vivian Rubin, Sylvia Drucker, Marc Rubin; L-R Front Row Nona Stuckelman, Rosalie Meisler, Mildred Meisler Stuckelman, Joseph Stuckelman, Bertha Helfand, Estelle Goldberg, Jacob Meisler, and Mark Stuckelman.  The Stuckelmans are Zelig Meisler's descendants.

L- R Bertha Meisler Helfand, Jacob Meisler, Judith Eagen Helfand, Dennis Helfand September 23, 1978.

Dennis Helfand, Aaron Helfand and Jacob Meisler- Summer 1981 California

 This is a letter written by Jack Meisler to Dennis and Judy. He wrote this to send me Birdie's poem for his 90th Birthday Party. Notice he says to give regards to the Stuckelman Family.

Jacob Meisler, Aaron Helfand and Dennis Helfand - Three generations Summer 1982 California

Summer 1982 L-R standing Jacob Meisler and George Meisler, L-R seated Belle Fertel Meisler, Judy Helfand, Aaron Helfand and Mildred Meisler Stuckelman. George and Mildred's father was Zelig Meisler, brother of Jacob.

Bertha Helfand, Dennis Helfand, Jacob Meisler, Daniel Helfand and Aaron Helfand. Four Generations September 1985.

Summer 1987 New Hampshire - L-R Back Row: Dennis Helfand, Judy Helfand, Richard Meisler, Joshua Meisler, Daniel Meisler. L-R Front Row: Aaron Helfand, Daniel Helfand, Miriam Meisler. Richard and his sons Joshua and Daniel are the grandson and great-grandsons of Mendel (Max) Meisler. (Max is in the photo at the top of this article).

Aaron and Daniel Helfand, Jacob Meisler's great-grandsons - March 1989.

Some of Jacob Meisler and Zelig Meisler's grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Beverly Goldberg standing in background. L-R Seated: Mark Stuckelman, Phyllis Levine, Myrna Korman, Renee Ponder, Nona Stuckelman and Robert Stuckelman.  Tucson, AZ October 8, 2010.

L-R: Jared Rubin, Douglas Rubin (Jacob's great grandsons), Jen Bender Rubin, Vivian Rubin(Jacob's grand-daughter) and Marc Rubin. August 7, 2011.

Bertha Meisler Helfand visiting with her great granddaughter, Meredith Yates. August 8, 2011.

September 2015 Dennis Eugene Helfand visited his Great Grandmother Pesie Meisler's grave. Jacob's mother died November 9, 1937, and she is buried in Baron Hersch Cemetery on Staten Island, NY.