Oral history interview with Solomon Breibart, 1995.

ArchivalResource

Breibart, Solomon,. Oral history interview with Solomon Breibart, 1995.

Oral history interview with Solomon Breibart, 1995.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/49034344

Interview begins with discussion of Breibart's grandparents and parents (Sam Breibart and Ida Goldberg Breibart), who emigrated to the U.S. from Russia in the early 1900s. He describes their early days in New York and migration to Charleston, SC, in 1914. Harry Goldberg (Ida's brother) was the first family member to move to Charleston where he worked with the Doobrow family at a grocery store. The rest of the family followed and operated grocery stores in uptown Charleston. Breibart recalls his father's store, (Samuel Breibart Grocery, 743 Meeting) and describes the interior, items sold, and informal social gatherings that took place there. Breibart notes that although his father sold non-kosher meat at the store, the Breibarts were orthodox Jews and kept a strict kosher household. Other store details include hours of operation (Breibart's Grocery was open on Saturdays) and relations with African American clientele, who made up a large portion of the customers. Breibart discusses religion, and notes that his family belonged to Beth Israel (the "little shul") synagogue. He describes the interior of the first Beth Israel building (145 St. Philip St.) and mentions tensions between Beth Israel and Brith Sholom congregations before they merged. Breibart also recalls the "uncomfortable" feeling between Charleston's uptown and downtown Jewish populations and notes differences between the two groups. The interview ends with discussion of Breibart's siblings, Mildred, Sidney, Jack and particularly his brother, George, who took over the family business. A miscellaneous conversation pertains to Breibart's knowledge of Charleston Jewish families that left the south during the Civil War.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette : digital.Transcript : 34 p. ; 28 cm.

College of Charleston, Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library