Jay Kurnitz

Jay Kurnitz is the main character in Lost in Yonkers. He is an almost sixteen-year-old Jewish boy who currently lives with his brother, aunt, and grandmother in Yonkers. He doesn’t like his grandmother because he thinks she is difficult and cold. Jay wants to provide for his younger brother as well as his father, but he’s not entirely sure how. Because the Kurnitz family has a problem being strong, Jay finds out he has to be the source of strength for his father’s side of the family.

Because Jay has a lot on his mind, he is more serious than his younger brother. He tries to please his brother Arty, his father, his grandmother, his aunt Bella, and his uncle Louie all the time so he can help them with their problems. Jay tries to figure out different ways to help each family member...