Who knew when I named my new dog Farfel seven years ago, that I would become a Judaic studies teacher to my non-Jewish neighbors. All I knew was that I wanted a dog to replace the female Yorkshire Terrier that I had lost 20 years earlier. Her name was Sadie, and she is buried on Deer Isle, Maine.
Sadie had been the runt of a litter from a breeder who intended to put her down. She was damaged goods, he said, and could not be bred. But she was feisty, with a personality and presence that caused Great Danes to lie down at her feet. She had only three working legs and was all of 4 ½ pounds, and yet, she could jump from the floor to the bed with ease.
To say I adored her was an understatement, and her loss was devastating. I could not stand the thought of replacing her. And for years, I never did.
So when the urge came to get another dog, I knew it had to be a female Yorkshire Terrier, like Sadie.
As I was, by this time, a senior citizen, I decided I should find an older Yorkshire Terrier, one who would not outlive me. But after a fruitless two-year search, my husband, Shelby, urged me to buy a Yorkie puppy from a nearby breeder.
My daughter was not thrilled. All her dogs had been shelter dogs, and she asked me how I could buy a puppy and contribute to the glut of dogs in the world, many of them abandoned and slated to be euthanized. “Save a dog instead,” she urged.
“Sadie was one of those dogs, “ I answered, “but I haven‘t been fortunate enough to find another one. “ In addition, time was growing short, and I was feeling all my 80 years.
Months later, Shelby and I went to a local breeder and bought a female Yorkshire Terrier puppy. To record this momentous occasion, I asked our friend Steve Shawl to come with us and take the first mommy–and–dog photograph. My Madonna photo appears with this article. At the time, I had thought of writing a children’s book on my new puppy … so far nothing. But here I am seven years later, writing an article about her, and using Steve’s photo! Thanks, Steve!
What to name her? I looked at lists of dog names, children’s names, Jewish names. None seemed right.
After much thought, I decided on Farfel. Passover was coming and it seemed a good fit. Little did I know that the name had been used in a 1992 Nestlé commercial, in a 2015 “Seinfeld” episode, and was the name chosen by singer and composer Debbie Friedman, of blessed memory, for her dog.
So Farfel it was!
But for non-Jews, and even Jews, Farfel turned out to be a difficult name to pronounce. One of my neighbors still calls her Sparkle. In addition, the name Farfel is gender neutral, another source of confusion.
As I am always interested in explaining my Jewish heritage to my non-Jewish neighbors, many of whom have never met or befriended a Jewish person, Farfel provided a perfect opportunity to introduce a little Jewish history and practice.
“Farfel … cute name,” a neighbor said.
“Do you know what it means?” I asked.
“No.”
“Do you know what Passover is?”
“I think so …”
And so, from Farfel to Passover to Exodus to Egypt to the ten plagues, the conversations grow to include a discussion of Jewish history, religious beliefs, and practices.
“Are you familiar with the Bible … I believe you call it the Old Testament? Have you read the Book of Exodus?” Then on to the famine, the children of Israel, slaves in Egypt, Moses and Aaron, the ten plagues.
From there, the conversation might include the Israelites preparing for their departure from Egypt with no time to let the bread rise: unleavened bread, like a cracker, usually square.
If I am at home, I actually pull out a box of matza, which I recently used in a show–and-tell routine, so my visitor would know what matza looks like.
“Well, when you crunch up matza, you get farfel. I put it in chicken soup or use it for stuffing during the holiday.”
Repeat the story: “Slaves in Egypt … Moses and Aaron … the 10 plagues. …”
And so it went. And so it continues. Farfel as a teaching tool.
Judith Manelis is a writer, editor, and journalist whose work has appeared in American Jewish newspapers and magazines. Her book “This Shall Tell All Ages: Art, Music and Writings of the Holocaust” was published by United Jewish Appeal.
