Interview begins with discussion of Rone's father, Abe Ubfal (b.1890), who emigrated (ca. 1920) from Kaluszyn, Poland. Immigration officials changed Ubfal's last name to Appel when he landed in New York. Appel lived in New Jersey for a time, but relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, after hearing other Kaluszyn immigrants had settled there. Once in Charleston, Appel made a living as a peddler (he later owned a furniture store) and married his neighbor, also from Kaluszyn, Ida Goldberg. Goldberg came to the United States in 1918 and lived with her brothers; their parents remained in Kaluszyn. Rones recalls her mother's life in the Old Country and shares stories of the poverty and persecution left behind. She describes the Goldberg's life in Kaluszyn as "typical Fiddler on the Roof." Conversation turns to the Appel's life in Charleston, SC. Rones remembers her mother's reverence for learning and scholarship and insistence that her children receive a good education; Ida Appel herself learned to speak English at night school. Rones describes her mother as very religious and talks about the family's Orthodox practices and membership at Beth Israel, the "Little Shul." She recalls a division between Charleston's Orthodox and Reform Jews and remembers the German Jews who attended Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim did not welcome the wave of early 20th century European immigrants to the temple. Rones felt the two sects were divided not only by religious practices, but also by class. Interview continues with memories of growing up on St. Philip Street. Rones recalls the amicable blending of cultures and races which occurred in her neighborhood, and describes her siblings (brothers Harry, Sam and Sidney), childhood friends and backyard carnivals. She also mentions Henrietta Givner, a grammar school teacher who stood out as particularly influential in her life. Interview ends with discussion of Emanu El Synagogue, how it was founded, how it changed over the years and Rones's feelings about other Jewish congregations in Charleston. Misc. topics discussed include Abe Appel's cordial relationships with African American clientele (while peddling), memories of a mixed race family who lived next door to the Appel's, and explanation of why Rones changed her name from Fannie, to "Faye" as a teenager.
