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They helped elect Los Angeles' first Black mayor; but to him, they were just Bob and Shirley

JL;DR SUMMARY Joshua Silverstein, a Black Jewish theater artist, shares the story of an Ashkenazi couple, Bob and Shirley, whose efforts helped elect Tom Bradley as Los Angeles' first Black mayor. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Los AngelesCultural DiversityBlack Jewish AllianceTheatreCommunity ActivismThe BraidJoshua SilversteinBob And ShirleyTom BradleyLchaim America

Places mentioned

Los Angeles, California, United States
"When Joshua Silverstein, a Black Jewish theater artist, was growing up in Los Angeles, he recalls one Ashkenazi couple, to whom he refers as Bob and Shirley, that had a particularly profound effect on him."
New Jersey, United States
"begins in 1946 when the couple moved to the west coast from New Jersey."
Irvine, California, United States
"Additional performances will be held in Irvine on June 28 and in New York City on July 12."
New York City, New York, United States
"Additional performances will be held in Irvine on June 28 and in New York City on July 12."

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Cairo Item ID 84182
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Retrieved 2026-06-06 05:31:00 UTC
Curated 2026-06-06 08:30:49 UTC