Mrs. Everything

The Kaufman family home on Alhambra Street outside Detroit, Michigan, is a symbol of togetherness, happiness, and the American Dream. The home is the culmination of Ken and Sarah’s hard work and desire to give their daughters a safe and spacious home in a Jewish neighborhood; Sarah and Ken value safety, their close-knit Jewish community, and their Jewish faith and traditions. Thus, Jo and Bethie attend Hebrew school, help Bubbe and Zayde learn English, and go to bar mitzvahs and other celebrations. The house is in a perfect location for them to stay connected to their Jewish heritage and faith, which Jo and Bethie carry with them through life.

The house is also a symbol of Ken’s memory. It was a place of happiness when Ken was still alive, particularly for Jo, who was incredibly close to her father. For this reason of sentimentality, Sarah refuses to leave the home later; she works many hours not only to provide for her daughters but also to keep the home out of foreclosure. Even in her elderly years, Sarah never moves away from the home she and Ken built together. The house holds their marriage and family memories, which she will never relinquish.