Oral history interview with Leo Azose, Mar. 31, 1982.

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Azose, Leo,. Oral history interview with Leo Azose, Mar. 31, 1982.

Oral history interview with Leo Azose, Mar. 31, 1982.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50815093

Azose recounts the story of his family's life in Marmara, Turkey, and especially his father's career as a rabbi in Marmara and Seattle, Washington. Rabbi Solomon Azose immigrated to Seattle in 1911 to join his eldest daughter, Fortuna Halfon. With the aid of Ashkenazic Bikur Cholim, the Sephardic community began organizing itself as a religious group, with Rabbi Azose as haham. Rabbi Azose sent for the remainder of his family, with all of them arriving by 1913. Leo Azose discusses his emigration and his first impressions of Seattle. After a year in public school, he went to work as a jeweler's apprentice at Mayer Brothers. Schooling continued at night at the Settlement House. Azose describes his father as haham of the entire Sephardic community until 1915 or 1916 and the purchase of the synagogue at 13th and Washington. He discusses the split-off of the Sephardim from Rhodes, who formed Congregation Ezra Bessaroth. Azose further describes his father's personality and his duties as rabbi of Sephardic Bikur Holim, and mentions temple lay leaders and fundraising activities. He speaks briefly about the families that formed Ahavath Achim and that congregation's subsequent merger with Bikur Holim. He discusses failed attempts to merge Bikur Holim and Ezra Bessaroth, especially those of the 1960s. Azose also reminisces about Rabbi Avraham Maimon and his family, including the future rabbi Solomon Maimon. He recalls his own work history in the grocery and butcher business and the jewelry trade. He briefly describes the Sephardic community's arrangement to bring Rabbi Isidore Kahan to Seattle as rabbi of both congregations - and Bikur Holim's dissatisfaction with that arrangement. He discusses the decision to build a synagogue at 20th and Fir streets in Seattle, and the difficulties of financing construction during the Depression. He talks about Sephardic Talmud Torah and tells of the problems in bringing Reverend Samuel Benaroya to Seattle as Bikur Holim's cantor. Azose closes with mention of Bikur Holim's relations with other Seattle synagogues and Sephardic bootleggers during Prohibition.

Sound recordings: 3 sound cassettes : analog, mono.Transcript: 49 leaves.

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