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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 © CEAyr
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
THE LEADER OF THE BAND
Cossacks torched the shtetl of Tolochin. Flames shot up from Cantor Beilin’s home. Five-year-old Israel choked on the billowing smoke, huddled in a ditch with his brother and sisters. He had never seen Papa weep so.
A ship carried the Beilins to America. In New York’s Lower Eastside, Izzy discovered his talent and at thirteen sang on the streets for thrown pennies.
Music and America. His love for both welled up inside of him and spilled over in the songs he wrote.
Composer Jerome Kern said of Izzy, “Irving Berlin has no place in American music—he is American Music.”
***
Born in 1888, Irving Berlin lived to be 101. Trying en-capsulize him in 100 words is no easy task. While you might not be familiar with name, I’ll bet you’re familiar with his music. “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” (Scandalous in 1911), “Easter Parade,” “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” “God Bless America,” and that seasonal favorite “White Christmas” to name a few.
Irving Berlin 1906
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
The pogrom description is powerful
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Thank you, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is such an inspiring true life story.
Adversity does different things to people.
So glad that he discovered his talent, enriched the music world and became rich. His Papa will weep no more.
Have a great week, Rochelle! Take care!
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Dear Anita,
If only Papa had lived to see his son’s success. There are so many stories like Izzy’s. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“Music and America. His love for both welled up inside of him and spilled over in the songs he wrote.” – Great line Rochelle. Kind of like pouring one’s heart and soul into their art. Authentic, rather than manufactured.
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Tanille. 😀 They’re enough to keep a girl writing. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Intense piece of writing about a great songwriter.
Papy & the Chics Filles (the name of the band on stage, typical French humour) would be flattered.
Nicely done, m’lady.
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Dear CE,
Thank you for your lovely words and for the photo. Both very much appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another educational story. So interesting! Nicely done, Rochelle.
https://susan-a-eamestravelfictionandphotos.blogspot.com/2020/05/first-gig-100-word-story.html
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Dear Susan,
I’m nothing, if not educational. 😉 Can’t help myself. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting bit of roots. Watching the video made me remember the fact that he could only play the piano in one key (only the black keys), so he used his piano to transpose to whatever key he needed. Some composers, like Cole Porter, looked down on his lack of formal training, but not even Gershwin could keep up with the number of popular tunes he wrote.
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Dear Trent,
Cole Porter was one of the greats. As for looking down on iriving Berlin…feh on formal training. What’s training without the gift? Who doesn’t sing White Christmas every year? Jerome Kern said it all, didn’t he? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Cole Porter was Cole Porter, but, yeah, nobody had quite the catalog of Irving Berlin.
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The list is endless of those who rose from nothing to greatness. Often it is that “necessity is the mother of invention” that drives the outcome, and then there are those that just seem to be born with a special talent. Thanks for sharing a story of a very talented musician.
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Dear Jan,
And who doesn’t enjoy a good rags to riches story? And when it’s someone from the tribe…;) Thanks, m’luv.
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The backstory was quite brutal. But glad he overcame his difficulties and brought happiness to so many.
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I love your historical snapshots. And aside from the fact that Irving Berlin is/was an American icon, that piano of his is amazing! Thanks for a fun read,
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Irving Berlin and Cole Porter for sure. Of course, we need to think about Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters, and Miles Davis too!
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Please Josh…100 words, one star at a time! Thanks for stopping by. Doo doo wah!
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American music cannot be contained in 100 words, or 1000 or any at all! Spotify does a decent job, though 😉
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Ah …. Berlin! American music. Nice!
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Dear Cuzzin Kent,
What’s not to like? Thanks. 😀
Shalom,
The Queen
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A beautiful tribute to a composer that left a wonderful legacy and influenced those that walked in his steps. Delighful, Rochelle.
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Thank you for such a delightful comment, Keith. Irving Berlin’s been a constant since before I can remember. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done! I am very familiar with Irving Berlin (and his music). I grew up listening to all kinds of music.
Shalom,
Ronda!
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Dear Ronda,
I’ll bet more people are familiar with his music than they realize. 😉 Say those fans of Young Frankenstein who might not realize Puttin’ on the Ritz was one of his. Music was a mainstay in our house. My earliest and fondest memories are of Dad’s records playing on Sunday morning. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another great lesson from history Rochelle. I knew the name and the music, but not the background.
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Dear Iain,
I think more people are familiar with his music than they realize. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Even I’ve heard of Irving Berlin! Does that show my age?
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Dear Liz,
I refuse to say that you’re showing your age. Irving Berlin’s music is woven into the fabric of timeless.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful and oh-so-relevant … especially nowadays, when the current administration is enacting 1944 ‘laws’ to prevent entry and deport children escaping persecution, even without notifying their families, in the supposed claim of ‘protecting America’ from illness and the undesirables.
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I might never have been born had it not been for immigration and open doors to this country. Thank you for your affirming and sought after comments (I’ll admit it. 😉 )
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m so glad you like my comments! Wordy me sometimes can be … well … verbose … 😉
And … yes, without immigration, there would be no United States.
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Darkness does its best, but light always prevails. Touching story and a perfectly delightful clip of Mr. Berlin. I hope the piano is in a safe place, it’s a national treasure.
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Dear Lisa,
I can’t vouch for the piano but I’m guessing it’s in a museum somewhere. I’ve always loved the music, now I’m enamored with the composer. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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“He had never seen Papa weep so” That line really brings home what the pogrom must have been like.
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Dear Penny,
I love it that one line brought it home for you. Thank you for such high praise.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I admit I knew nothing about Irving Berlin outside of “White Christmas.” Of course, you inspired me to go to Wikipedia and read some more.
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Dear Nobbin,
Everyone knows White Christmas, don’t they? I’m sure few realize where it came from. I was surprised, myself, from whefre it actually came–a deep place indeed. Irving Berlin married a Catholic woman (whose wealthy father disowned her for marrying a Jew). They had a son who only lived a few weeks, passing away on Christmas. I’m pleased to have sent you to Wikipedia. 😉 My work here is complete. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh yeah. To me, Irving Berlin was a household word. Haven’t heard his name in a while, but I remember him well. A lot of the music I grew up with came from him. You do him justice by showing us his roots.
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Dear Eric,
Like you, he was a household name…along with many others, thanks to my dad’s love of music: the classics, the 40’s swing music, and one of my favorites Gilbert and Sullivan. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a lovely story as always Rochelle. I love the educational video and information that goes with it too. Missed reading all the Friday Fictioneer stories. Hope you have a great rest of the week.
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Dear Anne,
I’m very happy to see you back in the FFFold. We’ve kept your spot open for you. 😉 Thank you for your kind comments. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Oh, you knocked it outta the park with this one. You managed to bring the horrors of the pogrom to the love of music of a brilliant natural musician in 100 words. You are the veritable queen of the genre. Love this.
Shalom and lotsa musical love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
You do make me blush. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you. 😀
Shalom and lotsa tuneful hugs,
Rochelle
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G ‘head, while purple is your favourite, you do look pretty in pink
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I do like pink, too. 😉 It goes well with purple. 😀
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I agree!
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I knew right away who he was because I recognized his original name. He was one of the very best.
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Dear Larry,
He was one of the best indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely and well-written tribute to Irving Berlin, Rochelle. I’ve always enjoyed his music. Thanks for the additional information. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Berlin left a magnificent legacy, didn’t he? Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Jerome Kern hit the nail right on the head. How can so much talent be concentrated in one person? Well done.
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Dear Sandra,
After watching a lengthy documentary on his life, I stand amazed. He was extremely gifted. And who doesn’t love a good rags to riches story? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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From such a start to such heights. And educational for me too, I didn’t know any of that, I always assumed he was born in the US.
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Actually he wad born in Russia
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Lived to 101… wow!
What an amazing talent. Beautifully written, Rochelle. Some great lines here. Captures the imagination !
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Dear Laurie,
I doubt there’s a person alive who hasn’t heard his music. That might be a broad statement…the western world perhaps. 😉 Thank you for your glowing words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Inspiring that such music came after such a tragic start. I was pleased to be reminded of him life and songs
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Dear Mike,
They say what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. In Izzy’s case, this was true, wasn’t it? He turned tragedy into music. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Stories like this make me wonder about how many talented people have been lost and will be lost because of prejudice and stupidity. And they make me happy to know that some have survived to make our lives better. Well done, my dear.
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Dear Lish
I’ve wondered the same thing myself. No doubt more than we want to know. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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he belongs to the world.
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Glad you feel that way, Plaridel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know of ragtime only through the novels I read and they made it seem so scandalous. I wonder what they would say if they heard today’s top 40 hits! I really enjoyed the video clip. When I was young, those clips seemed ancient. The older I get I realise just how few decades separate us from those days.
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Dear Fatima,
I can relate to your comments all too well. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Delightful!
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Thank you, Dawn. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You brought it alive, Rochelle. I love those Berlin anthems, but one of my favorites I first heard on the album Linda Ronstadt did with Nelson Riddle. “What’ll I Do?” So beautiful.
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Dear Sascha,
I’m listening to Linda as I write. Beautiful song and one I wasn’t really aware of. Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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I’m well aware of Irving Berlin and had a rough idea of his background, but it was great to hear the story like this, Rochelle. Thank-you.
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Dear Michael,
I’m glad to have shared something you weren’t formerly aware of. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a wonderful tribute. Thank you for another historical peek, dear Rochelle.
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Thank you for a lovely comment/compliment, Natasha.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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