Interview begins with a discussion of Mazursky's family history. He describes his maternal grandfather, Morris D. Blatt (d. 1913), an Austrian baker (from Galicia Province) who moved his family to America (ca. 1888) due to anti-Semitism in Austria. The Blatts settled in Philadelphia and moved to South Carolina several years later. Morris Blatt operated Blatt's Bakery in Columbia, SC. The family later moved to Charleston (ca. 1910) and opened a grocery store with the help of fellow landsman, Henry Hirschman. Morris Mazursky was named after his grandfather, Morris Blatt. The discussion continues with a history of the Mazursky side of the family. Morris describes his father's (Abraham Mazursky) childhood in Russia, including information about the persecution of Russian Jews, Abraham's religious education, and conscription by the Russian army. A detailed account of Mazursky's escape from the Russian army and immigration to America (1909) follows. The interview continues with description of Abraham's migration to Barnwell, SC, (where he had an uncle) and his early years in the American South. Mazursky moved to Mayesville, South Carolina, (ca. 1912) to help a relative run a dry goods store and eventually opened his own store. Details of Mayesville's Jewish community (ca. 1918) also included. In 1919 Abraham married Mary Blatt, the result of a match made by Rabbi David Karesh of Columbia. The young couple moved to Sumter, SC, in 1923. Second half of interview focuses on Morris Mazursky's life. He describes growing up Jewish in Sumter, SC, a community of few Jews; included are details of his religious education and mentions of subtle anti-Semitism in Sumter. However, Mazursky maintains that Jews in Sumter were not treated differently due to the small size of the Jewish community and prevalence of interfaith marriages. Mazurksy describes his involvement in the youth organization, Aleph Zadik Aleph, as his first exposure to Judaism on a regional and national level. The interview continues with a discussion of Mazurksy's adult life. He mentions his father's financial downfall during the Depression and how it delayed his education by several months. Mazursky attended the University of South Carolina and USC Law School. He was drafted during World War II, but did not go overseas due to a foot problem. Mazursky finished school and practiced law in Sumter; he was elected to Sumter City Council in 1958. Mazursky provides insight into Sumter politics during the 1950s and 60s mentioning prominent individuals and significant events. He describes Sumter's implementation of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and speaks of school desegregation. The interview concludes with discussion of Mazursky's family, his marriage (1951) and the careers of his children.
