Interview begins with discussion of Dr. Geldbart's parents, Israel and Rachel Cygielmen Geldbart, and their emigration from Mogielnica, Poland, to America. Israel Geldbart traveled to America (by himself) to establish a new life for his family. Geldbart describes how his father worked as a tailor in New York, enlisted in the military and fought for America during World War I. After the war he sent for his wife and daughter and the family moved (ca. 1919) to Charleston, South Carolina. With the help of Sam Banov, a man known for helping Jewish immigrants, the Geldbarts opened a used goods store (later the U.S. Army Store) on King Street. Discussion turns to Gedlbart's memories of growing up in Charleston. He mentions other Jewish families that owned King Street businesses (esp. the Sonenshine's) and his home at 35 Spring Street. Geldbart recalls his days at the Julian Mitchell School and his friendly relationships with African Americans. He describes his mother as "color blind" (accepting of all races and nationalities) and his memories of attending the black owned Lincoln Theater (601 King Street.). Conversation moves to Geldbart's adult life. Drafted into World War II during his second year at the Citadel, he provides a detailed account of his military career and participation in the D-Day maneuvers (1944) at Normandy, France, where, as part of the second wave, he stormed the beach and was one of only two men to survive from his LCI (Landing Craft Infantry.) He was shot in the leg during another maneuver and sent to England where a Jewish chaplain wrote his parents that he was alive. Geldbart returned to the U.S. and recuperated in Charleston before earning degrees in optometry from the University of Chicago and Northern Illinois University. He opened (ca. 1950) an optometry practice (George Street) in Charleston and was the first contact lens fitter in the Southeast. Other topics include Israel Geldbart's name change to Goldberg, the family's kosher household, Jewish traditions and membership at Brith Sholom. Strained relations between Brith Sholom and Beth Israel congregations (pre-amalgamation) are also mentioned, as well as relatives lost in the Holocaust, Israel Geldbart's participation in the Kalushiner Society and Dr. Geldbart's distinction between Jewish southerners and Southern Jews.
