For those who don't know, the usual image of the Jewish mother is a little gray haired old lady whose love of her children has no bounds. There is no sacrifice too great for her to help her beloved kids.

Last week I turned on the radio and heard an old song, written in the 20's, "My Yiddishe Mama", that literally brought tears to my eyes. It celebrates that very same little old Jewish mother.

The Lyrics

Submitted by Irving D. Kaplan

My Yiddishe Mama,
I tried to reach her twice today.
She's out on the golf course,
that's where she loves to go and play.

Then she meets the girls for lunch.
That, to her, is such a treat.
But she doesn't eat a thing cause
she gained an ounce last week.

Her pleasures are many;
she cares for fashion and for styles.
And if there is a bargain, how
She finds the strength to walk for miles.
She loves opera and ballet,

plays Bridge and Mahjongg too..
Takes disco lessons and sings every song.
She's a wonderful Yiddishe Mama....
Yiddishe Mom of today.

She loves all her grandchildren,
thinks they're brilliant and oh so good.
For Friday night dinner,
she takes them out for Chinese food.

When she's asked to baby-sit
and just never has the time.
She'll say, you look after yours,
just as I looked after mine.

With so many face-lifts,
she's never had a wrinkled brow.
Her figure is slender;
I wish you could see her now.

Yet I know that I owe what I am today,
To that wonderful lady whose hair is blonde-not grey
To my wonderful Yiddishe Mama of mine.

Did I forget to mention. The lyrics were slightly altered to reflect the changing times