The interview in May begins with discussion of Alfred's parents, Sarah Hershenson and Joseph Isaac Laro, and their flight (1915) from Shedlische, Poland, during World War I. Alfred recounts their escape from the Polish army (intent on conscripting Joseph) and describes how she herself (at two weeks old) was almost lost in the process and how wealthy family members gave the young couple diamonds for their journey. The Laros migrated to Harbin, China, and soon continued to America. Alfred notes that her father immigrated first, entering the United States from the West Coast where he worked as a boxer to earn money. Joseph next traveled to New York to stay with a cousin, Max Lender of Lender's Bagels, and was soon able to send for his wife and children. Alfred mentions that when her mother went through immigration in New York, she told officials she would stay with the Lenders; as a result Fay Laro's last name was recorded as Fay Lender, causing confusion on official documentation. Together again, the Laros moved to Michigan, where Joseph Laro worked for the Ford Motor Company. He eventually founded a successful scrap metal business that afforded the family years of wealth and prosperity. Interview continues with discussion of Alfred's Jewish heritage. She notes that her mother's grandfather was a prominent rabbi (called the Bilgoray Rabbi) in Poland, and Judaism was strong in her family. However, when the Laros relocated to Fenton, Michigan, there was not a synagogue in town, and Fay and her siblings attended Presbyterian Sunday school for religious exposure. Regarding childhood relationships with other Jewish children, Alfred notes that her family was often wealthier than the Jewish families they encountered, and she did not have much in common with Jewish girls her age. Despite this fact, Alfred grew up with a strong Jewish identity and knew she would marry within the faith. She instilled the same beliefs in her own daughter, Marlene (Addlestone,) advising her she could date three non-Jewish boys before settling on a Jewish husband. Discussion turns to Alfred's adult life. She recounts meeting her husband, Clement Alfred (a Jewish dentist) and describes his family, the Zippersteins, who owned a Jewish resort in Michigan. Alfred notes that her husband changed his name from Zipperstein to Alfred to prevent anti-Semitism from affecting his dental practice. She describes her involvement with the temple sisterhood in Flint, Michigan, (where she raised her family) and discusses her impressions of northern and southern Jews. Misc. topics include Alfred's brother, Jack Laro, killed while a prisoner of war during World War II; her mother's first cousin, Nobel Prize winner, Bashevis Singer; and Alfred's automobile trip from Flint, Michigan, to San Francisco, California, during the early 1940s. Miscellaneous discussion pertains to Marlene Alfred Addlestone's life in Charleston and involvement with the Jewish community and Charleston society.
