If you’ve looked over some of this website’s interior pages, you may have discovered my Photos page. The point of this page is that I dislike those silly stock photos of fake people pretending to work. These photos are often on websites, newsletters & aptly parodied on shows like Family Guy. My website has photos of real people at work. Mainly, these are photos of deceased relatives working in their own businesses. They have relevance to me & my work.
Meyer Levinson
Because these photos date back to the early 1900’s & are of real people, historians, writers & biographers have contacted me about them. Recently, Emily Victorson, co-founder & publisher) of Allium Press of Chicago (slogan: Rescuing Chicago from Capone…one book at a time) asked my permission to use one of my photos as part of a companion piece to a new novel. She used the photo of my great-great grandfather Meyer Levinson standing in front of his butcher shop on Maxwell Street in Chicago sometime between 1903—1909, before Maxwell Street became a world renown shopping destination in Chicago. More about the photo is available here.
The novel is “Her Mother’s Secret.” The below description is from Allium.
Fifteen-year-old Sarah, the daughter of Jewish immigrants, wants nothing more than to become an artist. But as she spreads her wings she must come to terms with the secrets that her family is only beginning to share with her.
Replete with historical details that vividly evoke Chicago in the 1890s, this moving coming-of-age story is set against the backdrop of a vibrant, turbulent city. Sarah moves between two very different worlds—the colorful immigrant neighborhood surrounding Hull House and the sophisticated, elegant World’s Columbian Exposition.
This novel eloquently captures the struggles of a young girl as she experiences the timeless emotions of friendship, family turmoil, loss…and first love.
A NOTE FOR INTERESTED READERS:
A companion guide for this book (which includes photographs, discussion questions, read-alikes, and resources for further exploration) can be found by clicking here. To download printer-friendly information about this book click here.
The photo of Meyer appears in the Companion to the novel, which provides contextual information about Sarah’s Chicago of the late 1800’s.
I love the picture of Meyer Levinson. My Italian grandparents immigrated here and lived on Taylor Street. Two of my great uncles married Jewish women from Maxwell Street. I am not Jewish but your heritage is very much tied into my heritage. Our ancestors endured tough times but I benefitted greatly. I may botch this but let me say L’chaim.
L’Chaim to you too!
Thanks for commenting on the photo. Your thoughtful remarks are really appreciated.