Ellis Island

"Ellis Island 101"*

*Yehudah Tzvi Windweher arrived at Ellis Island and
asked his friend, "What would be a good American
name for me? I want it to be Jewish, but more American."

His friend replied, "Sam Cohen, that's a good American
Jewish name."

Yehudah Tzvi began his long walk up a massive flight
of steps leading to the immigration office. With each
step he said, "Sam Cohen, Sam Cohen", in an earnest
effort to learn his new name.

When he finished carrying his luggage to the top of the
flight, he was winded and tired. A large immigration
officer caught Yehuda Tzvi off guard when he said
"NAME?" in a booming voice.

A flustered Yehudah Tzvi replied "shoyn fargesin" ("I
already forgot" in Yiddish).

The immigration officer replied, "Sean Ferguson, welcome
the United States of America!"

*******************************************************

"Ellis Island 102"*

*One day a Chinese-American was filling out some
forms at a store when the salesman said to him,
"Sorry to ask, but I see you are Chinese and your
surname is Rosenberg, which is a Jewish surname.
Not to be rude, but I am puzzled as to how a
Chinese man would have a Jewish surname."

"Not at all", says the Chinese guy, "You see, when
my grandfather arrived at Ellis Island and stood in
the immigrants line, they had their names written
down on cards. The man in front of him was a Daniel
Rosenberg. When my grandfather stepped up the
official asked for his name and he replied: 'Sam Ting'"
Received on Mon Oct 12 08:19:03 2009