Oy Vey, It’s Always Something: A 20th-Century Jewish Memoir by Jean Isaacson

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Foreword: Steven A. Schechter

They say laughter is the best medicine — but for Jean Isaacson, it’s also survival, sanity, and sometimes the only way to get through a Tuesday.

In Oy Vey: It’s Always Something, Jean looks back on the delicious absurdities of family, faith, and everyday chaos with the sharp humor of a born storyteller and the heart of someone who’s lived it all. From kitchen mishaps to life’s bigger messes, her stories remind us that joy and heartbreak often share the same recipe — just add a little perspective, a pinch of patience, and a healthy dose of humor.

Told with honesty, warmth, and a wink, this memoir is a celebration of imperfection — proof that no matter what life serves up, it’s always something worth laughing about.

Year first published: 2025