Bialystoker Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, from Friends of the Bialystoker Home
The Home functioned for 80 years, until October 2011, when residents were vacated to other facilities and the building and adjoining garden were advertised as for sale as "a highly desirable development site." Neighborhood and preservation groups are mounting a campaign for landmark designation to preserve this historic structure. The destruction of this building would be an irreplaceable loss for the community and for the Jewish legacy of the neighborhood. (October, 2011)
Letters, Lyrics and Lamentations
In honor of Dominican Republic Independence, which is celebrated on February 27, we are pleased to feature a merengue by Dominican singer Juan Luis Guerra.
"Ojalá Que Llueva Café"
Ojalá Que Llueva Café en el campo
que caiga un aguacero de yuca y té
del cielo una jarina de queso blanco
y al sur una montaña de berro y miel
oh, oh, oh-oh-oh, ojalá que llueva café
Ojalá Que Llueva Café en el campo
peinar un alto cerro de trigo y mapuey
bajar por la colina de arroz graneado
y continuar el arado con tu querer
oh, oh, oh-oh-oh...
Ojalá el otoño en vez de hojas secas
vista mi cosecha de pitisalé
sembrar una llanura de batata y fresas
ojalá que llueva café
Pa' que en el conuco no se sufra tanto, ay hombre
ojalá que llueva café en el campo
pa que en Villa Vásquez oigan este canto
ojalá q llueva café en el campo
ojalá q llueva, ojalá q llueva ay hombre
ojalá que llueva café en el campo
ojalá que llueva café
If only it would rain coffee in the country,
may a downpour of yuca and tea fall down
from heaven, a light rain of white cheese
and to the south a mountain of watercress and honey
oh, oh, oh-oh-oh, may it rain coffee.
If only it would rain coffee in the country,
and comb a high hill of wheat and mapuey
and go down the hill of grained rice
and continue the ploughing with your love
oh, oh, oh-oh-oh..
If only it would fall instead of dry leaves
dress my harvest with bacon
sow a prairie with batatas and strawberries
may it rain coffee.
So that there isn't so much suffering in the small plots of land, oh man,
May it rain coffee in the country,
So that they hear this song in Villa Vásquez
If only it would rain coffee in the country,
If only it would, may it rain, oh man
If only it would rain coffee in the country,
If only it would rain coffee in the country.
Take a
virtual tour of Dominican sites of significance in New York City on our City of Memory site. Visit Quisqueya Park, Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard and Alianza Dominicana, which houses a lifesize Juan Luis Guerra statue made of coffee beans.
