Interview begins with discussion of Ackerman's parents, Drim Windberg and Pesel Steinberg, who were raised and married in Poland. Windberg served in the Russian army for several years while his wife saved money to send him to America. Several of Ackerman's siblings were born in Poland. She describes her father's immigration to America (ca. 1910) and experiences upon arrival in New York. Windberg (whose name was changed to Burgen) was not fond of New York and decided to visit relatives in Alabama. During his travels he learned to repair shoes and eventually opened (ca. 1915) a second-hand shoe store in Opp, Ala. By 1919 Drim had saved $50,000, so he sent money to his wife in Poland, and she immigrated with the children in 1920. Once reunited, the Burgens settled in Montgomery, Ala. Conversation turns to Ackerman's life in Alabama. She remembers an African American man who worked for her father and was treated as part of the family; her parents did not know prejudice. She recalls her father's business ventures including a general store in Eufaula, Ala., and shoe store in Montgomery, which eventually went bankrupt. She mentions the strained relationship between her parents during her mother's first years in the U.S as she adjusted to her new "American" husband. Ackerman also describes how her mother remained true to her religion, yet encouraged the children to speak only English so she could learn also. Interview ends with Ackerman's recollections of her adult life. She describes meeting husband, George Ackerman, and provides information on his background and career as a rabbinical scholar, cantor and Hebrew teacher. She remembers their move from Alabama to Walhalla, SC, where her brother ran a dry goods store and later settling in Fort Mill, SC. Includes discussion about being Jewish in the small towns of Walhalla and Fort Mill and the religious education of her children.
