Oral history interview with Ethel Oberman Katzen, 1996.

ArchivalResource

Katzen, Ethel Oberman, 1920-. Oral history interview with Ethel Oberman Katzen, 1996.

Oral history interview with Ethel Oberman Katzen, 1996.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50152912

Interview begins with discussion of Katzen's parents, Isaac and Sarah Oberman, and their immigration to America. Born in Jedrezjowa, Poland, Isaac Oberman moved to Galicia, Austria, after his bar mitzvah to avoid being conscripted by the Russian Army. He married Sarah Kapner (of Austria?) in 1906 and traveled to America shortly thereafter (the passage, a wedding gift from Sarah's father) to establish a new life for his family. Although Oberman landed in New York, he always intended to make a home in Charleston, SC, a place his father-in-law had visited often and held in high regard for its flourishing population of Orthodox Jews. Within six months, Sarah joined Isaac, who had established himself in Charleston as a peddler. In 1913 Isaac's brothers Harry and Max Oberman and brother-in-law Aaron Firetag also immigrated to Charleston followed by their wives and children in 1920. Katzen provides details of her parent's cultural assimilation in Charleston and describes how their English was an eclectic dialect, as they learned much of the language from their customers, who were mainly poor African Americans, many of Gullah descent. Katzen, the youngest of seven children, describes childhood memories of obtaining kosher food from the Mazo deli, her lack of gentile friends and the many times her family relocated within Charleston. Katzen briefly discusses her family's move to Detroit during the mid-1920s, where Isaac worked as a truck driver and furniture salesman. The Obermans returned to Charleston in 1929, and Isaac established himself in the furniture business. A discussion of the family's religious affiliations follows. Isaac Oberman was a charter member (1911) of Charleston's Beth Israel Synagogue and later served as recording secretary. Katzen recalls that Isaac sold seats to the synagogue for High Holiday services and worked hard to raise money for the Hebrew school. Other memories of Isaac Oberman include his work as a notary public, involvement with the Kalushiner Society, amiable relationship with African America clients, and work with the volunteer fire department and Army Civilian Defense Corps during World War II. Interview ends with additional childhood memories of picnics held west of the Ashley, dressing up for walks to the Battery, and meeting boys from the "reform" synagogue during high school. Katzen also recalls the merger of Brith Sholom and Beth Israel, good deeds of Nat Shulman and the Sable family's kindness toward Jewish immigrants in Charleston.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette : digital.Transcript : 29 p. ; 28 cm.

College of Charleston, Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library