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20 North Shore Towers Courier n October 2016 I thought it would be different to present a male’s point of view in this column on occasion, so today I have given you a story written by my husband, Howard Beck. In the shopping world, we know about K-Mart; in the sports world, we hear about the antics of K-Rod; but as a Jewish person, a K-word that has recently been brought to mind is kvetching. Not too long ago a sermon during Yom Kippur that was imbued with tales of kvetching, kept a smile on my face for about 30 minutes. My take on this was that kvetching is probably a genetic component we are born with. It goes back to the first recorded kvetches in the Bible, when Moses was leading us out of bondage from Israel. The people complained about the lack of water they encountered in the desert and that they would have rather stayed in Egypt than endure this thirst. That was real kvetching! A modern day kvetch would probably be described as having lost the signal on your cell phone. I know in my house, you had to stand in the Northeast corner by the window in my kitchen, only on a sunny day, without the wind blowing, then you would get a faint reception. Which in a way was good, because my wife, who was the only cell phone user, would have to also stand in one place while talking and it gave me an opportunity to see her. Where I live now, there’s no decent reception anywhere, so she kvetches plenty to the phone company. My wife calls me Mr. Kvetch. What she doesn’t understand is that kvetching is a fine art. If you are good at it, it can also be used as a boast. How many times have I heard a man kvetch that his wife shops a lot? Can’t it be interpreted that he has a lot of money? After all, don’t we kvetch when we go to a doctor. “This hurts, that hurts.” It’s best to bring a kvetch list so you can get all your kvetching out. I feel better when I leave the doctor’s office, even if he doesn’t have any answers for me. I have unburdened myself. Let him deal with the kvetching session. I’ll bet the best kvetching takes place in a psychiatrist’s office. “It’s my mother’s fault” is probably the number one kvetch there. The best kvetchers are probably successful business people, because they not only know how to kvetch, but also they do it in such a way you are happy to oblige. You can also call them diplomats or politicians. Actually, if you turn on the news or read the papers we have wholesale kvetching going on. But nothing has changed because these kvetchers haven’t learned the true art of kvetching. After all of this kvetching, I’m tired. Now it’s time to pause and kvell! When TV was in its infancy, Howard Beck was a professional TV comedy writer. He wrote for Jackie Gleason, Red Buttons, Jimmy Durante, Martha Raye, among others... You know, the stuff we grew up with. He gave up writing and became a businessman when TV comedy moved to the West Coast. His humor was an integral part of his relationship with clients and helped make for a successful career. On retirement, he resumed writing in a small way by writing and editing a monthly newsletter for The Gezunter Men’s Club at the Sid Jacobson JCC and did so until his passing last year. He found humor in the most unusual places. I hope you enjoy his stories. —Gloria Beck THE K-WORD SENIOR MOMENTS by gloria beck WE ARE BACK First Medical at 245-02 Horace Harding Expressway is open Dr. B. Fletcher Board Certified primary care physician provides medical services for Adults with: • Diabetes • Hypertension • Hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol) • Thyroid deficiency • Allergies and Asthma Call: 646-616-0481 JOE’S GOLD BUYING SERVICE WE BUY GOLD IN ANY CONDITION Estate Diamonds • Antique Jewelry Oil Paintings • Bronzes • Coins Sterling Silver • Watches • Rolex FOR IMMEDIATE CASH FREE IN-HOME SERVICE CALL JOE 7 DAYS A WEEK 516-849-8826 PERSONAL DRIVING SERVICE PET FRIENDLY “We Drive-You Arrive” FOR RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL: PAULA GIBLY 917-217-4845 EZRA GIBLY 917-217-4859 “NO JOB TOO BIG, NO TRIP TO FAR”


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