Chapter 1 - The Wedding [photo 1 here]
According to Tom Brokaw in his 1998 book on the Americans who survived The Great Depression and fought in World War II, they lived through a critical time in American history - as profoundly world-changing as the revolutionary era of 1776 and the Civli War. The greatest burden fell on those born around the time of World War I, who grew up in the prosperous era of the Roaring Twenties. As teenagers, they had no way of knowing that they would soon have to face dangerous and unpredictable challenges that threatened not just America, but the future of the whole planet!
They not only met the challenge of WW II with faith, courage and resolve; they overcame the Axis Powers of Germany, Italy and Japan; postponing normal married life till after they won the war. They brought unheard-of prosperity to postwar America, combining towering achievements with the modest virtues of patriotism and dedication to the ideals of family life. In 1936, Franklin D. Roosevelt said “This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny”, and although he did not live to see it fulfilled, ”The Greatest Generation” surpassed the expectations of the man who led them through The Great Depression and most of World War II.
This album tells the story of one such couple of Jewish Americans.
Helen Rubin grew up in Albany, NY and worked in New York City during World War II. Irving Cramer grew up in Utica, NY; met Helen in Albany, and went off to North Africa and Italy in a MASH unit of The United States Air Force. They postponed their marriage till after the war, on October 6, 1945.
[insert photo 2 announcement]
Unlike most postwar weddings, they did not get married in either her hometown or his. They got married in New York City because of a unique figure in American Jewish history, whose name appears on their marriage certificate - Rabbi Stephen Wise.
[photo 3 & 4 - record of marriage - larger & certificate]
His influence on this era was profound, and they carried on the values and ideals with which he inspired them. [photo 5 Rabbi Wise]
© Judy Lombard ~ Bits and Peaces Photography -- All rights reserved.
