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As always, please be considerate of your fellow Fictioneers and keep your stories to 100 words. (Title is not included in the word count.) Many thanks.
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
Click the Frog to Join the Fun!
“WE ONLY KILL EACH OTHER”
Eastern European immigrant Max Siegel held his eight-day-old son on his lap on a pillow.
The mohel smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ve clipped dozens of schmeckles.”
Once the deed was done, the rabbi blessed the baby. “We welcome you into the covenant of Avraham on this day, in New York City on the 11th of Adar in the year 5666—March 8, 1906”
The rabbi dropped wine into the squalling child’s mouth. “May you teach the brotherhood of mankind and may the name of Benjamin Siegel be a blessing in the House of Yisroel.”
Max kissed the baby and murmured. “Omayn.”
Glossary Words:
Mohel – A Jew trained in the practice of brit milah, the “covenant of circumcision.”
Schmeckles – Guess. 😉
Now if you’re still scratching your head and asking yourself why the name Benjamin Siegel should ring a bell:
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
What sweet nostalgia is this! Again, what a fantastic story, dear Rochelle.
The link is not up. My story is out. Here it is. https://neelwritesblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/neelwrites-flash-fridayfictioneers-shortstory-01-05-2019/
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Dear Neel,
Glad you enjoyed my story. Sorry you were faster than the link. 😉 I thought I had it timed to come out with the story. At any rate, thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I suppose he too was a culture hero. But this is an unusual celebration for you
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Dear Neil,
Bugsy was a hero of sorts, certainly not one of mine. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done, m’lady, you convinced me to break my rule and follow a link.
Sweet tale, until you know who the little rascal is.
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Dear CE,
We all come into this world as innocent babies, don’t we? 😉 Thank you, kind sir. .
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoy your snips of history Rochelle.This one no different.
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Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, Tanille.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An interesting story based on history, Rochelle. I followed the link. Parts of it sound like “The Godfather”. Good writing as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Bugsy had a lot in common with “The Godfather.” 😉 Hard to imagine such a cold-blooded gangster started as an innocent baby, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like the way you connect with history & provide info about new words 🙂
Have a great week, Rochelle!
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Thank you for your kind words, Anita. 😀
Shalom and a good weekend to you, too.
Rochelle
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An excellent reveal, Rochelle. I wonder if Bugsy visited many synagogues as he grew up? Perhaps if he had, things may have turned out differently for him!
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Dear Iain,
As far as I could tell, this was his synagogue where he remained a revered member. It seems his life was shaped within and outside the walls. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He had his own unique interpretation of the Torah perhaps?!
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You might say that. 😉
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I have been very happy to have contributed the use of many of my photographs to the Friday Fictioneers over many years. For a little history on this beautiful building see:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bialystoker_Synagogue
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Dear Roger,
I so appreciate the use of your magnificent photos. Thank you for your generosity in sharing them.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for the link, Roger. Beautiful photo as always.
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Do bad guys ever think of themselves as bad? I’ll admit that I laughed when I found out Benjamin was Bugsy….
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Dear Trent,
I don’t know how Bugsy saw himself. Many saw him as a hero and a celebrity. It’s for certain his victims didn’t see him in that light. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Do you know if there is an issue with Inlinkz? After 20 minutes, I finally got to the site and tried to post my link, but nothing happened. Now I can’t get there.
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Never mind – inlinkz just let me in post
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However, your icon isn’t there. Maria at inLinkz tells me the problem is on their end and to try again to post your photo later. At least we know it isn’t us. 😉
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Yeah, the link is there, but it wouldn’t take my photo. I’ll look later and see if I can edit it and add the photo. Thanks.
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Now I see I’m having an issue with WordPress. Three of your comments went straight to my spam folder. Sorry about that.
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Great little tale – thanks for the notes and the link that helped explain it to me!
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Dear Keith,
This one was a tough one to cram into 100 words and still reveal who the baby grew to be. Glad you liked it. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved this one, Rochelle! I always love a history lesson in these stories, and to learn a few new words (schmeckles!) too! …made my day!
-Rachel 🙂
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Dear Rachel,
I’m always happy to pass along these stories. 😉 Be careful of the company when if you use your new word. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha!!! That literally made me laugh out loud 🙂
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Oh dear, I’m sure Max did not foresee his precious Benjamin becoming Bugsy. Another wonderful bit of history compellingly told. =)
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Dear Brenda,
No parent can foresee such a thing. It’s probably a good thing we can’s see our baby’s future. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We all start out innocent, don’t we? Mind you, having your schmeckles clipped is enough to turn anyone, I guess. Good informative story, as ever.
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Dear Sandra,
Few boys (if any) remember having their schmeckles clipped. 😉 Thank you for a comment that made me laugh out loud.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The Frog’s gateway is out of order, Rochelle. Some of the pictures, including yours, are not showing and I can’t enter my story. 😦 — Suzanne
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I managed to upload your story, Suzanne. But I don’t know what’s going on with the photos. I’ll check with Maria at inLinkz to see what gives.
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Again your story is up. However trouble with the photos is on the inLinkz end of things. Maria says to try again later.
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Dear Rochelle,
This is the genre you do best. How you weave history into a 100-word story is always so enjoyable to read. So, what can you do? Not all Jewish boys grow up to be good boys!
Shalom and lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
All too true. They don’t all grow up to become doctors or lawyers. 😉 Thank you for your affirming comments. Always appreciated. ❤ 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Or comedians 😉
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Oh yeah, there is that. 😉
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He he he 😀
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Or book writers, I know a jewish girl who is.
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😀
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Great flash, Rochelle.
It really made me think about the combined influence of nature/nurture in people’s characters. All children are born innocent, but who knows? Are some predestined to develop certain characteristics/tendencies from birth, regardless of their upbringing and family?
Thanks for the prompt and hosting:)
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Dear Lucy,
I think there are so many variables that shape a person’s personality. And what about different children of the same parents. I’m an artist, my brother is not. While we share the same warped sense of humor, we’re very different. And the same with my three sons. I used to say I had “one of each.” Such diverse individuals. 😉 Thank you for such a thought provoking comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Perhaps a different kind of fame the Mohel had in mind. Great story!
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Dear Lady C,
I suspect the mohel saw little Benjamin as just “another pretty face.” 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a touching history revisiting and how interesting that the association with entering Jewish life wasn’t just yours …
BTW, the froggy isn’t working today (it is spinning around itself trying to save added links but itsn’t finding itself) – I can try again later, or perhaps you’d manage for me? In any event, here’s my contribution, fed by a somewhat more recent reality:
https://naamayehuda.com/2019/05/01/will-the-baby-cry/
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
We all started as innocent children, didn’t we? Even such a notorious gangsters as Bugsy Siegel. Thank you for such affirming comments.
BTW I’ve been in contact with Maria at inLinkz. The issue with the pictures is an ISN issue with them and they are working on it. I notice that some of the pictures have made a comeback on my end. At any rate, your link is there.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Glad the link made it in safely. The photo is less important, so at least “the link has landed” …
Yes, we all started as babies, and essentially innocent. Rarely (very rarely, but alas I’ve known this to be true) there are those who are born without empathy and who without extra help and direction and minute attention to showing them a way to grow humanely, can become the monsters of this world. I’m not saying gangsters are all that way, only that a disorder of empathy can sometimes be traced to very early childhood, and in those children, even a relatively mild upbringing can result in empathy not developing at all. In others, the adversities of childhood turn an otherwise empathetic child into someone who cannot tolerate it in themselves or others.
All that said, I am always delighted to read your history snippets. The light you shed and the angles you choose are ever educational!
Hugs
Na’ama
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Your comment means a lot, Na’ama. Thank you so much.
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🙂 XOXO
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At least it’s a name that the world would know… maybe infamous and famous is not all that different. I have listened to a lot of podcasts about crime in Hollywood, and he sure made an impression in the dream factory.
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Dear Björn,
There’s no denying that Benjamin Siegel left his indelible mark on the world. 😉 Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Bugsy brings up all the memories of things I’ve read and watched on TV about that very bloody era, especially in Chicago. Al Capone and Elliot Ness, Abolition and bathtub gin. Fascinating post, Rochelle.
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By the way, have you noticed that several of us aren’t getting our images posted in the link?
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Never mind. They’re all there now 🙂
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Rochelle, I very much enjoyed your story. I like fiction that mixes with reality.
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Dear Jade,
I’m a big fan of historical fiction, so it tends to be my go-to genre. I’m glad you enjoyed. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are very welcome, Rochelle.
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Now that is one interesting response to this prompt photo, Rochelle. I thought of Ethel going to church, then saw the star in the window. Maybe she can talk Cheryl into going to a synagogue.
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Dear Ted,
This is a picture of the actual synagogue attended by the Siegel family. How could I resist?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, that makes sense then.
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Great story, Rochelle. I learn a lot of history from you. It just goes to show that you can’t predict what a baby will become.
-David
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Dear David,
What a lovely thing to hear from a teacher. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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really nice historical footnote
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Thanks, Larry.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always enjoy getting your history lessons, Rochelle. Until today, I didn’t know Bugsy the gangster had his schmeckle clipped. Great stuff as always!
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Dear Eric,
All good Jewish boys have had their shmeckles clipped. 😉 Not that I can vouch for all of them, of course. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha. I wrote Benny Siegel into one of my novels, but only as a corpse. He was a nutcase. Meyer Lansky was much more measured, as was Arnold Rothstein. It’s funny to think of him as somebody’s baby.
I guess nobody is gonna mention that today is Holocaust Remembrance Day? I’m seeing a lot of church stories here 😉
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Dear Josh,
Mr. Siegel was indeed a nutcase. That’s how he got the nickname “Bugsy” which no one dared to call him to his face. We all start out as babies, don’t we?
Actually tomorrow’s Holocaust remembrance, but it never hurts to remember it a day early. 😉 Thank you for the noodge and for commenting on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story and history, Rochelle. Yes, sadly, not all babies turn out pillars of society.
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Dear Maria,
Parents can only do their best. Kids make their own choices. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An enjoyable read, Rochelle. Yes, it’s a shame that the innocent baby turned into “Bugsy”
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Dear Adele,
Sadly, we can birth them and raise them but we can’t make their choices for them. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When I read the name Siegel I wondered… and then the link made it clear. Another great piece of historical fiction. I wonder how parents feel when they notice that their child is very much on the wrong path–or do they notice at all?
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Dear Gabi,
That’s a tough question to answer, isn’t it? Parents certainly don’t relish seeing evil in their kids. I think of mothers of serial killers and mass shooters of late.
Thank you re my story. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another story full of history Rochelle. Love it.
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Thank you, Colline. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It hurts my heart to read this. With all that is going on, I wish to minimize these miniscule parts of our history and to condemn it for the sake of our children and the outside world.
The irony in your story is not lost on me, especially the brotherhood reference.
But ultimately, he got what he deserved – though how much evil had to happen before he did.
This schmekle should of gotten clipped permanently right from the beginning.
Then we would have cried how Ha Shem can be so unjust for taking a life at such a tender age. Leave it to us Jews…
Randy
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Dear Randy,
In all honesty, I posted and scheduled this story weeks ago…before the most recent shooting. As for the shmekle, who knew? yes, leave it to us Jews to put a value on human life. It’s hard to look into the eyes of an eight day old child and see a future murderer. Just think. Hitler was once an infant.
Thank you for your comment, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He didn’t turn out to be a massive “blessing” then. I love how that Wiki article describes him as a “celebrity gangster” 🙂
Who knows how a babe in arms will turn out…
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Dear Ali,
When Clara Hitler held her blue-eyed baby boy, I doubt she saw the Furher. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And to begin with he was his father’s pride and joy! What went wrong, I wonder!
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Dear Liz,
Sometimes a parent can do everything right and the child still goes wrong. I can’t answer for the Siegels. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can’t help but think of Warren Beatty in the movie Bugsy. (1991) Don’t remember if it was a good movie, but in my twenties I would’ve sat through anything with Warren Beatty in it! I seem to remember he gets a lot of credit, for starting Las Vegas as a tourist/gambling destination. Not that I approve of his methods…
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Dear Andrea,
I can understand about Warren Beatty. 😉 Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ouch what a great moment to write hahaha
So young and won’t remember the kind words. He certainly made sure he was remembered
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Dear Laurie,
Bugsy Siegel’s name is infamous. 😉 What a pity. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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While I understand the tradition, it is a bit self contradictory to spread the message of peace and brotherhood after undertaking a violent act on an eight day old baby. Long live traditions!
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Thank you for commenting, Abhijit.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent bit of history and an interesting moment to write of.
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Dear Sascha,
Most Jewish boys go through it. 😉 When I read that Benjamin’s Bris was in that very synagogue, I had to go there. (So to speak). Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great historical piece, Rochelle. I remember the movie Bugsy with Warren Beatty and Annette Bening.
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Dear Deborah,
I remember the movie coming out, but never saw it. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Blessed to be what!
Such an irony!
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Dear Sabina,
Irony was what I was going for. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😊
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Wow! A really good one this week, Rochelle. That shocking reality that the innocent babe can become a heinous person… would you kill the baby Hitler? The image of this baby at his bris, is muddied by the reality that he becomes such a horrible human. Well done! Off to Israel on Monday; shalom!
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Dear Dawn,
A good question which I did ask in another flash fiction last year. https://rochellewisoff.com/2018/06/06/1-june-2018/ I’m off to Israel Wednesday. 😀 Safe travels.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Where will you be, Rochelle? We arrive on Wednesday too… how fun would it be to meet up somewhere in Israel? We will be in Jerusalem for the entire 2nd half, this time. PM me if you want to see if this is even possible. Shalom!
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We start in Tel Aviv and end in Jerusalem. I’ll be with a group so I’m not sure what’s possible. It would be great if we could meet.
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We’ll be in Jerusalem from Sunday to Thursday, coming up. We can message each other, and see if our paths happen to cross.
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I learn so much from your pieces. Entertaining & educating, I love reading your pieces.
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What a sweet thing to say, Lisa. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Look at you Rochelle, goin’ all gangsta on us this week! I love it!
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Dear Violet,
When I found out that his family belonged to that synagogue…well…you could say it was an offer I couldn’t refuse. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another great historical piece. Karma eventually won over an evil man. You always manage to educate us with your storage your links. This shows your dedication to the research and accuracy of your writing. We must never forget the past so that we learn from it. I know many think the past is unimportant and, would like to rewrite history. To them, phltphlt….
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Dear Jan,
Karma usually does win.en otras palabras, “You reap what you sow.” You know me and research. 😀 Thanks, m’luv. ❤
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What a fascinating story, and history. Such a shame Benjamin didn’t live up to the rabbi’s blessing.
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Dear Margaret,
We can point them in the right direction but it’s up to them to stay the path. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting story. I love the way you teach!
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Thank you for your sweet comment, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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