In My First Ninety Years, Naomi begins with stories of her grandparents Gussie Krumholz and Isidor Krumholz (cousins from the same town in Austria) - from their births, immigration to the United States in the pre-Ellis Island days, marriage, and lives. The reader learns of the birth of Naomi's parents, Rose Krumholz and Max Rothbart, and of their days growing up in Brooklyn, as first-generation Americans, and their marriage and life together.
Naomi was born in 1931 into a large and vibrant Jewish extended family. She was six when her parents and sister moved into the same house that Naomi's grandparents bought years earlier (having realized their entrepreneurial immigrant dreams). In 1951, Naomi married Kenneth Rivlin, whose family emigrated from Wales after World War II. Naomi and Ken moved to Long Island, where they would raise a family of their own.
The reader learns of Naomi and Ken's lives, business ventures/careers, involvement with the local synagogue, leisure activities, success stories, and low points in life. The reader also gets to know Naomi and Ken's children and grandchildren through Naomi's words. Ms. Rivlin also offers words of wisdom, and some Jewish and Yiddish teachings, for her grandchildren.
With characteristic bluntness, Naomi's My First Ninety Years is funny and engaging, and written in an easy-to-read style. This book is a must read for anyone wanting an inside view of an extended family's stories, jokes, gossip, wisdom, traditions/lore, and what might be some tall tales!
