Growing Up Jewish

              Here  is something I bet a lot of people don't know, a
wonderful  story.........................................................

                            A  Grandson of slaves, a boy was born in a
poor neighborhood  of New  Orleans known as the "Back of Town." His
father abandoned  the
              family  when the child was an infant, His mother became
a prostitute  and the  boy and his sister had to live with their
grandmother.

              Early  in life, he proved to be gifted for music and
with three other  kids  he sang in the  streets of New Orleans. His
first gains were the coins that  were  thrown to them.

              A  Jewish family, Karnofsky, who had immigrated from
Lithuania to the  USA had pity for the 7-year-old boy and brought him
into their  home.

              Initially  given 'work' in the house, to feed this hungry  child.

              There  he remained and slept in this Jewish families
home where, for the  first time in his life he was treated with
kindness and  tenderness.

              When  he went to bed, Mrs. Karnovsky sang him a Russian
Lullaby that he  would sing with her.

              Later,  he learned to sing and play several Russian and
Jewish  songs.

              Over  time, this boy became the adopted son of this
family.  The Karnofskys  gave him money to buy his first musical
instrument; as was the  custom in the Jewish families. They sincerely
admired  his musical  talent. Later, when he became a professional
musician and   composer, he  used these Jewish melodies in
compositions, such as St. James  Infirmary and Go Down Moses.

              The  little black boy grew up and wrote a book about
this Jewish family  who had adopted him in 1907. In memory of this
family  and  until the end of his life, he wore a star of David and
said that  in  this family he  had learned "how to live real life and
determination."

              You  might recognize his name. This little boy was
called Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong.  Louis Armstrong proudly spoke
fluent  Yiddish!

                AND…Louis  Armstrong….in my opinion….sings one of the
nicest songs in  the world…..

              *It’s A Wonderful  World*