Interview begins with discussion of Olasov's parents, Benjamin and Sophie Patla Olasov. Born in Russia, Benjamin Olasov immigrated to the United States to escape conscription by the Russian army. He settled in Charleston, South Carolina, where his relatives, the Patla family, had settled years earlier. Sophie Patla was born in Charleston in 1883. The couple married in the early 1900s and had six children (including Sanford). Olasov recalls his grandparents, Semmy and Mortifi Patla (both present during his childhood) and describes his grandmother's King Street antique business and grandfather's work as a Jewish scribe. He also mentions his great-grandfather Olasov, who immigrated to Charleston (from Russia) at age 75 and spoke only Yiddish. Interview continues with Olasov's memories of growing up in Charleston. He discusses his father's real estate savvy and notes his family was quite wealthy by the 1920s. The Olasovs were one of a few Jewish families that lived in Charleston's upscale downtown district. He notes that his mother was active in many non-Jewish civic clubs, and he himself had few Jewish friends during childhood. However, Sophie Olasov kept a kosher home, and Sanford and his siblings received a Jewish education, attending Brith Sholom and later Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE). The family switched to the reform KKBE after Sanford's bar mitzvah although Benjamin Olasov always considered himself an orthodox Jew. Olasov's childhood description includes discussion of the Pavilion at Folly Beach, built by his father. He recalls spending summers working at the Pavilion, handing out towels and bathing suits and selling concessions. However, the Great Depression put an end to the Folly Beach Pavilion, as well as most of the family's wealth. The depression years hit the Olasovs hard: Sanford actually left Charleston at age 15 to escape his family's despair and poverty and worked on international cargo ships. Interview ends with discussion of Olasov's connection to Charleston's Jewish community. He recalls making a concerted effort during his late teen years to have more Jewish friends, feeling that Jewish friends are generally more loyal than gentiles. He mentions feeling excluded by gentile acquaintances over the years and claims that anti-Semitism still exists in Charleston. Miscellaneous conversations about Olasov's adult life occur throughout interview and include mention of his work with the Social Security Office in Baltimore, Maryland, his musical talent with the French horn and involvement with a small symphony, and tales about his Charleston rental properties.
