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...that during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tuberculosis (TB) was called the "tailors' disease." TB was associated with the clothing industry, presumably as a result of an unhealthy environment in crowded work shops. Although doctors knew the difference, laypersons often confused TB with byssinosis or "brown lung," which was caused by inhalation of garment dust.

One garment worker who suffered from TB was Abraham Rogarshevsky, a presser and a long-time resident of 97 Orchard Street. On July 14, 1918, Abraham Rogarshevsky succumbed after his long battle with the disease. It is not known how Abraham contracted tuberculosis, but he could have caught it while working as a presser in a garment factory.

A Lithuanian-born Jew, Abraham embodied the then-popular stereotype of the tubercular Jewish tailor. This image seemingly grew out of the great number of Jews who worked in the garment trades. Anti-Semitic views of Jewish immigrants as being unclean and diseased helped foster this association. Yet, Jews contracted tuberculosis at a lower rate than gentiles. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries the highest rate of death from pulmonary tuberculosis was among Irish and Scandinavians and the lowest among the Jews.

The Windows art space now feature "Re:Mixed", a new installation by renowned public artist Tomie Arai. Inspired by her conversations with ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students, many from the Museum's Shared Journeys program, "Re:Mixed" explores the formation of identity in a foreign culture. Tomie recently spoke with us about this experience:

TM: What did you do in the workshops with the ESOL students?

I gave them all cameras and asked them to take pictures that would tell me who they are. Some of the students had never used a camera before, some had never had the chance to make art before. I told them that art is all about making decisions, and that I was interested in the types of decisions they made.

TM: What did they take pictures of?

One student emptied his knapsack of all its contents and took pictures of everything inside it, including his cell phone - so I put a cell phone in my installation. There were several puzzles in the pictures - one student said, "My life feels like I'm trying to put a puzzle together" - so there are puzzles in the installation.

TM: What struck you about those artistic decisions?

Several students took pictures of maps, and it made me think about the fact that immigrants are involved in an intense process of 're-mapping' when they come to a new country. I am struck by the processes immigrants go through to resist invisibility and explain and express who they are. You're here without your identity intact so you really have to create one.

Tomie Arai's "Re:Mixed" (pictured, left) is now on view in the Windows of 97 Orchard Street. "Re:Mixed" is free and always on display.

For a sunny day in the Hamptons or even a sweltering day at the public pool on Pitt St., I recommend Teenage Hipster in the Modern World. Lifelong New Yorker Mark Jacobson presents an incredible collection of his articles, from interviews with the Dalai Lama and Yoko Ono to musings on the changing face of New York. This book will make you laugh, cry and think.
-- Rev. Jen Miller, Museum Store

It's no exaggeration to call the first chapter of When the Emperor Was Divine a masterpiece. The rest of Julie Ostuka's novel is equally impressive: an emotional, nuanced look at the impact of internment on a Japanese-American family.
--Helene Silver, Director of Retail Operations

The Interpreter of Maladies is a wonderful page turner. But, don't take this book too lightly: Jhumpa Lahiri's well crafted stories will challenge your perceptions of Indian and American-Indian (Hindi) culture.
--Maria Velez, Education Associate for Access

If you can get past the large cockroach illustrations on the cover, I recommend picking up The Compleat Cockroach, a fun, little book about the "most despised (and least understood) creature on Earth."
--Derya Golpinar, Collections Manager

In Nickel and Dimed, renowned lefty journalist Barbara Ehrenreich goes undercover to find out if it's possible to live on minimum wage - as a waitress in Florida, a Wal-Mart employee in Minnesota, and a cleaning woman in Maine. I have not stopped recommending this book since I finished it - it's intelligent, funny, and provocative.
--Mari Brown, Executive Assistant

Motherless Brooklyn is the quirky tale of four orphans who go to work at an off-beat detective agency in Brooklyn. As they learn about the seedier side of their borough, the friends find family and peace. A great and unique read.
--Emma Angevine, Director of Individual Giving

Honky is the memoir of a white kid who grew up on the LES in the 70's and 80's. A really unique and surprising book, Honky is also a strong look at how the U.S. deals with poverty.
--Jorge Brito, Educator

"High school student, artist and entrepreneur Randolph Beers has created these illustrations, which reflect his ideas about the American Dream. Randolph's Caribean and European roots have inspired works that contrast an outsiders' perception of an ideal America and an insiders' real life in New York.”

"Freedom"	"Misconception"
Do you think that there is a gap in the perception of the American Dream and the reality of life in America? We'd love to read what you think.