Oral history interview with Edna Ginsberg Banov, 1995.

ArchivalResource

Banov, Edna Ginsberg, 1908-. Oral history interview with Edna Ginsberg Banov, 1995.

Oral history interview with Edna Ginsberg Banov, 1995.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/49348831

Interview begins with discussion of Banov's parents, Isaac and Pauline Ginsberg, their immigration (ca. 1908) to the United States from Russia and family connections in Charleston, SC. Banov provides information about her parents' lives before immigration, their three-day Jewish wedding, and her father's extensive travels (including working in South African diamond mines.) Banov describes her family's Charleston grocery store (77 Hanover Street,) living quarters above the store and an African American clerk, Rufus, who learned to speak Yiddish. A discussion of her in-laws, the Banov family, follows. She details Sam Banov's store, his informal medical assistance (stocks of castor oil) to Charleston's Jews, and Rachel Banov's role in welcoming Jewish immigrants to Charleston. Banov describes growing up in Charleston with accounts of the St. Philip Street culture, outings to Sullivan's Island and her time at the Courtney School. Stories of the Ginsberg family's assimilation include how the children's names were "Americanized", how Mrs. Ginsberg learned English from Rufus, the store clerk, and how the children's lack of birth certificates became an issue when they registered for school. Banov mentions that her parents kept a kosher household (descriptions of meals included) and attended Brith Sholom synagogue. She also recalls "Ole Suzy," the Banov's African-American housekeeper and the special relationship between Suzy and the family. The interview ends with discussion of Banov's adult life, her civic accomplishments, love for writing, and business ventures. She also provides insight on the movement to establish a conservative synagogue in Charleston (Synagogue Emanu-El). At the end of the discussion, Banov's cousin, Beatsie Bluestein Solow, joins the conversation and mentions connections with the Berkoff, Levkoff, Patla and Birlant families.

Sound recording : 3 sound cassettes : digital.Transcript : 78 p. ; 28 cm.

College of Charleston, Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library