By Miriam Furman Silverman
Roslyn@antonmediagroup.com
Speaking at Temple Beth Sholom on Monday, April 4, author Arlene Alda, who grew up in The Bronx, shared anecdotes about famous people from what she described as “a beautiful borough that’s 25 percent parkland.”
Alda shared snippets from some of the 64 notables she interviewed for her book, Just Kids From The Bronx. She said she grew up there during a simpler time when children were happy playing with a pink Spaulding ball, a jump rope, and jacks. She spoke with charm, grace, humor, and humility.
“Art chooses you, you don’t choose art,” she said Milton Glaser, the renowned graphic artist once told her.
Why did so many people with roots in the Bronx achieve prominence? A member of the audience asked.
“People who came from humble beginnings learned to recognize opportunities when they came along,” she responded.
How did she meet her husband, the actor Alan Alda?
“I met him at a party when we both ate the rum cake after it fell off the top of the refrigerator onto the kitchen floor!” she replied.
Temple Beth Sholom of Roslyn Heights, the Sid Jacobson JCC and the Jewish Book Council co-sponsored Arlene Alda’s talk.
